Vacheron Constantin Creates A Modern Masterpiece With The New Historiques 222

Luxury watchmaker, Vacheron Constantin, looked to the past this year to create a modern masterpiece. Making history — again — Vacheron Constantin presented a contemporary re-edition of the 37 mm-diameter 222 “Jumbo”: the legendary timepiece from the 1970s. The 1977 “Jumbo” marked a significant moment for the brand as it was Vacheron Constantin’s foray into designing sportier yet sophisticated timepieces. “Above and beyond its status as an icon, the 222 watch is a wonderful tribute to the work of our designers and engineers and an illustration of their ability to perpetuate the avant-garde spirit of our Maison,” noted Louis Ferla, the CEO of Vacheron Constantin.

Photo Credit: Alex Teuscher Photography

The new interpretation honors the emblematic codes of the 222 by maintaining the same diameter, fluted bezel, gold-toned dial, straight hour-markers and baton-type hands, integrated bracelet and hexagonal central links, as well as the Maltese cross at 5 o’clock made of polished Pd150 white gold and soldered onto the flat base of the case. As we got up close in Geneva, the new timepiece offers a few subtle changes that incorporate the latest technical advances: the movement now operates at 4 Hz for the utmost precision, the caseback is open to reveal the in-house, self-winding Calibre 2455/2, and the date window has been significantly offset from the outer rim of the dial to enhance legibility. The reimagined Historiques 222 is also finished with a sleek vertical-satin-brushed crown and bracelet, a circular satin-finished bezel and polished hour-markers, and the hand-chamfered gear trains and bridges are adorned with a Côtes de Genève motif. 

Photo Credit: Alex Teuscher Photography

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Vacheron Constantin

It is often noted that some of the most noteworthy timepieces are manifested by revisiting history, and Vacheron Constantin proved the sentiment this year by reviving the spirit of the Historiques collection.

Photo Credit: Alex Teuscher Photography