Steel Yourself: The Vacheron Constantin Historiques 222 Is Back

  • Vacheron Constantin has released its popular Historiques 222 integrated bracelet sports watch in steel
  • The Vacheron Historiques 222 in yellow gold first made its debut at Watches & Wonders 2022, as a reedition of the 222 model designed by Jorg Hysek and released in 1977 for the maison’s 222nd anniversary
  • The Historiques 222 in steel coincides with Vacheron Constantin’s 270th anniversary this year and is priced at $53,500AUD

Vacheron Constantin is celebrating its 270th birthday a little early this year, and we’re all the more happy for it. A follow up to the wildly successful (and satisfyingly faithful) revival of its ‘70s 222 integrated bracelet sports watch at Watches & Wonders 2022, the new Vacheron Constantin Historiques 222 is set to cater to vintage enthusiasts and modern collectors alike. 

In celebration of its forthcoming 270th anniversary this year, the manufacture has added a new model to the revamped lineup, in the form of a stainless steel Historiques 222 with a blue dial. Save for its steel construction and navy blue dial, the new Historiques 222 is identical to the yellow gold version. Like its stable mate, the steel Historiques 222 is defined by its 37mm monobloc tonneau case with a Maltese cross emblem on the right-hand corner, integrated bracelet, baton hands coated in green-tinted Super-LumiNova, and a sapphire crystal caseback which reveals the in-house calibre 2455/2, an automatic movement with a gold oscillating weight.

With both the yellow gold and steel Historiques 222 models, the sapphire crystal caseback and improved movement are the primary changes between the new and original designs — a case of a modern re-edition making technical upgrades while retaining heritage design. The automatic calibre 2455/2 boasts a higher frequency over the original movement, beating at 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour), as well as improved precision and a 40-hour power reserve.

First released in 1977 to mark Vacheron Constantin’s 222nd anniversary, the 222 model was conceived by 24-year-old German-born designer Jorg Hysek and marked a departure from the utilitarian sports watches of the time, with its ‘sporty-chic’ design language. The 222 made its debut in a 37mm case which was nicknamed the ‘Jumbo’, before being released in 24 and 34mm cases in steel, yellow gold, and two-tone steel and gold.

For Christian Selmoni, style and heritage director at Vacheron Constantin, this reissued Historiques 222 in steel felt like the next “logical step” for the integrated sports watch style. “The distinctive character of the 222 has made it one of Vacheron Constantin’s most recognisable models over the last few decades,” said Selmoni. “By kicking off its 270th anniversary with this iconic timepiece—one that is vintage yet resolutely contemporary—the Maison is weaving past and present together.”

The new Vacheron Constantin Historiques 222 in steel deftly coalesces vintage and modern design codes, combining the architectural beauty of the former with the palette of the latter. Catering to modern tastes while respecting its heritage, the Vacheron Constantin Historiques 222 is poised to be a future icon.

The Historiques 222 is a non-limited release priced at $53,500AUD and available upon enquiry through Vacheron Constantin.

Price: $53,500AUD
Model: Historiques 222 (ref. 4200H/222A-B934)
Case size: 37mm
Movement: 2455/2 (automatic)
Water resistance: 5ATM
Functions: hours, minutes, date
Power reserve: 40 hours

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Words by T. Angel