Zapping Uptime On Ted’s Road – Episode #7
It is one of the very noticed pieces of this 2022 edition of the Watches & Wonders show held in Geneva. The Vacheron Constantin manufacture, drawing on its extensive archives, played a trump card with this reissue of a 37 mm gold watch presented in 1977 for its 222nd anniversary (this so-called “Jumbo” size will be followed by two other diameters – 34 and 24 mm – in yellow gold, steel, or two-tone). Soberly baptized “222”, in honor of this anniversary, the collection included an all-gold piece with a fluted bezel, both sleek and daring. A round bezel, a tonneau case with sharp edges and an integrated gold bracelet: all the spirit of the 70s was concentrated in this timepiece, both refined and sporty, whose resolutely new style would serve as a reference some 50 years later.
A reissue in the Historiques collection
Vacheron Constantin Historic 222+10
The 222 collection from 1977Credit Photo – Vacheron Constantin
Following the practice in force for this type of exercise, the 222 takes up the attributes of its ancestor, adding a few functionalities of its time which make it a completely contemporary watch. First difference, the gold used offers beautiful champagne reflections, very soft, less yellow than the original model. The sapphire crystal case-back reveals the beautiful finishes of the manufacture caliber 2455/2, a recent movement which offers the hours, minutes, seconds and date functions via an aperture at 3 o’clock.
True to the original spirit
Vacheron Constantin Historic 222+10
Credit Photo – Vacheron Constantin
Designed for the occasion, the gold oscillating weight takes up the fluted pattern of the bezel and bears the inscription 222. A nod to the 1977 watch, the SuperLuminova varnish used diffuses a green light, since then used Tritium as a luminescent material. If it remains faithful to the original for its appearance, the bracelet has also been revised, to offer more comfort and security.
Vacheron Constantin Historic 222
Yellow gold case 37 mm, 7.95 mm thick. Transparent sapphire crystal back.
Maltese cross, indexes and hands in gold.
Self-winding mechanical movement developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin, oscillating weight in yellow gold. Hours, minutes and date functions. 40 hours of power reserve.
Yellow gold bracelet with yellow gold triple-blade folding clasp. Hallmark of Geneva.
to summarize
The 70s are in the spotlight in watchmaking. The design of this decade, audacious and full of character, seems to be in tune with the times. This reissue of the 222, which was presented in 1977 for the 222nd anniversary of the Manufacture Vacheron Constantin bears witness to the incredible legacy of this decade, which invented the concept of the sport-chic watch when mechanical watchmaking was under threat. by the incredible success of quartz.
