- To celebrate the arrival of its 270th anniversary, Vacheron Constantin is unveiling a new re-edition of the Historiques 222 integrated bracelet sports watch.
- This variation brings steel into the contemporary 222 range, along with a classic matte blue dial.
- Local pricing is currently TBA, with the steel Historiques 222 available exclusively through Vacheron Constantin boutiques.
When Vacheron Constantin revived the historic 222 two years ago, it was the best-case scenario of a venerable luxury watchmaker getting out of its own way.
A lot of revivals come unstuck because watch brands insist on putting unnecessary twists on an iconic, well-interrogated design. Or, worse still, by pandering to modern audiences with marketing collateral that completely misses the magic of the original product. Not so for the 222.
When the solid gold version of this (previously low-key) ’70s gem arrived in early 2022, it was pretty much a homerun across the watch-collecting spectrum. It reeled in lovers of vintage with its pure, historically faithful design; but also modern collectors, who desired a comfortable and technically modern sports watch — made to the same high standard as Vacheron’s Overseas collection.
And, of course, that De’Longhi campaign — in which Brad Pitt insisted on wearing his personal 222 — certainly didn’t hurt.
RELATED: Our Top 3 Watches From Vacheron Constantin’s ‘Geometry To Artistry’ Event
Now, in the first major celebration of its 270th anniversary, Vacheron is expanding on the modern 222 line-up — with a stainless steel re-edition, that further distinguishes itself from vintage predecessors with the addition of a blue dial.
Part of Vacheron’s archive-inspired Historiques collection (a fan favourite of ours in the BH office), this latest version of the 222 still bears a striking resemblance to Jorg Hysek’s 1977 design.
Conceived as the brand’s own foray into the world of then-disruptive steel timepieces, this new 222 is moderately sized and ultra-thin: both essential qualities for a properly indispensable luxury sports watch.
Unsurprisingly, everything that made the yellow gold 222 such an impressive package can be gleaned in this steel update: including Vacheron’s triple-clasp bracelet — note the lack of visible pins — and transparent caseback.
Considering that the 222 is one of Swiss watchmaking’s most coveted sports watch lineages, the in-house movement (i.e. Calibre 2455/2) is largely uncomplicated — except for a date window.
Still, the watch’s automatic heart is assembled and finished at a level that’s much more elaborate than bare function demands. The solid gold rotor is fluted with a serrated edge motif: alluding to the distinctive look of the 222 bezel.
Per Christian Selmoni, Vacheron’s supremely suave Heritage Director, the reintroduction of steel felt like “the next logical step” in the modern 222’s journey.
This dovetails with the importance of the year 2025 to Vacheron internally, as the brand tends to mark every decade-long anniversary with new releases that are particularly strong at “[illustrating] the values cultivated within the Manufacture since 1755”.
“By kicking off [our] 270th anniversary with this iconic timepiece, one that is vintage yet resolutely contemporary,” says Selmoni, “the Maison is weaving past and present together”.
