In 2025 Vacheron Constantin is marking its 270 years, and the brand is starting it off with the new Historiques 222 in stainless steel. Why a re-edition of this model? Well it’s one of their historically significant pieces, the original having been launched in 1977 to mark their 222nd birthday.

The original 222 was designed by Jorg Hysek, and part of that decade’s (introductory) era of luxury sports watch with integrated bracelets which irrevocably changed the path of wristwatch design. With a monobloc case featuring a fluted bezel and water resistance of 120m, its slim 7mm profile was thanks to the use of the famed automatic Calibre 1120, which was only 3.05mm thick, although unlike the modern re-edition, it was behind a solid case back. It featured simple baton-style hands and hour-markers, and large hexagonal central links on the bracelet.

The 222 was produced in 34mm and 37mm sized cases for seven years, and only some five hundred were produced in steel, one hundred in gold, and one hundred and twenty bi-metal in gold and steel.

In 2022 Vacheron Constantin launched a yellow gold re-edition in a 37mm case. Now, in the same case size (7.95mm thick and water resistance of 50m) comes a re-edition in stainless steel with a blue dial and featuring a mix of vertical satin-brushing and polishing. At 5 o’clock, next to the bezel, is an 18k yellow gold Maltese cross.

The blue dial has a date window with white background which is situated so as to not be on the minute track. The applied Maltese cross is polished white gold and the hands and hour markers are also in white gold, with Super-LumiNova.

Flipping it over, we now have an open case back showing off the in-house Calibre 2455/2 (also used for the yellow gold 222 re-edition. Beating at 28,800 VPH with a power reserve of 40 hours, it has a 3N 22k yellow gold oscillating weight engraved with the original 222 logo and fluting that references the bezel.

The bracelet of the new Historiques 222 Stainless Steel has hexagonal centre links and a triple blade folding clasp. A boutique-only model, it is priced at CHF 32,000 (including taxes).

[Photo credit: Vacheron Constantin]

Categories: Vacheron Constantin, Watch Profile, watches