Pre-Owned Vacheron Constantin 222 40990903/AS06466

WHY WE LOVE IT

For the watch industry, the 1970s was a decade of great change — from within as well as without — and even Vacheron Constantin, stalwart member of the Big Three, wasn’t immune.

The 1969 introduction of the Seiko Astron, the world’s first commercially available quartz wristwatch, sent tremors throughout the industry. Though quartz in and of itself was not a new technology, the Astron’s application of it was revolutionary. Both visually and internally, the Astron was something the industry hadn’t seen before, with a distinctive case shape to house the quartz movement. Attempts by big Swiss manufacturers to release a quartz watch of their own — the Beta 21 — met with failure.

As sales of Swiss watches dipped and as a looming oil crisis gripped the worldwide economy, Swiss manufacturers realized that they had to develop something truly unique if they wished to stay afloat. Thus Audemars Piguet tapped the brilliant mind of Gérald Genta to design the Royal Oak in 1972, while Patek Philippe followed suit with the Nautilus in 1976. That left Vacheron Constantin to try its hand at the “luxury sports watch.”

To celebrate the manufacture’s 222nd anniversary, Vacheron brought out the 222. For its distinctive design, Vacheron Constantin leaned on a young maverick designer in their stable by the name of Jorg Hysek. The watch that Hysek designed bore a thin, angular case with an integrated bracelet. It was the birth of a new modern look for a classic atelier.

Though similar to the Royal Oak, the serrated bezel of the 222 and its clean, elegant dial was entirely unique to Vacheron Constantin. The 222 saw production in limited numbers: 500 in steel, 100 in 18k gold, and 120 in gold and stainless steel, and was discontinued in 1985, making it exceedingly rare.

The particular 222 that we have here dates to the early 1980s and features a 35mm stainless steel case, a signed Maltese cross crown, a stainless steel tritium dial with a matching handset, and an integrated stainless steel bracelet with a signed deployant clasp.

Furthermore, this piece remains in simply outstanding overall condition and is accompanied by its inner box and hangtags!

Don’t miss your chance to own one of the original luxury sports watches — in steel, no less!

OVERALL CONDITION

The case is in outstanding condition overall showing only faint signs wear from gentle use. Steel Tritium dial is in equally outstanding condition with with matching handset. Signed crown.