Vacheron Constantin - Historiques 222

0 0 Monday, 11 April 2022 Edit this post

During the recent Watches and Wonders 2022 event (Geneva, 30 March - 5 April), Vacheron Constantin launched the Historiques 222, an updated interpretation of a famous model that the Geneva-based brand presented in the 1970s, the reference 222 and, more specifically, its Jumbo version ref. 44018 in 3N yellow gold and 37 mm of diameter.

Presented in 1977 for the 222nd anniversary of the Maison and designed by Jorg Hysek, the original reference 222 represented the first piece of the Maison in the luxury sport-chic segment that models like the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak (1972) and the Patek Philippe Nautilus (1976) contributed to create.

The original reference 222 and, below, a vintage advertisement dating back to1977

The watches of the Historiques collection are not exact replicas of the original watch but instead contemporary reinterpretations with technical updated that can guarantee better performance and enhanced comfort.

Like the original, the Historiques 222 comes in a monobloc 37 mm case crafted from yellow gold with a flat base topped by a prominent fluted bezel. A Maltese cross made of polished Pd150 white gold is soldered onto the flat base of the case at 5 o'clock.

The gold-toned dial is completed by straight hour-markers and baton-type hands that, for improved readability, have been coated with Super-LumiNova glowing in lime green by night.

The date window has been offset from the outer rim of the dial due to the smaller diameter of the calibre compared with its predecessor.

The transparent sapphire crystal caseback (vs. the solid caseback of the original) reveals the new automatic movement, Calibre 2455/2, and its oscillating weight engraved with the original 222 logo, surrounded by a fluted motif echoing the bezel. The new movement operates at a frequency of 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per our) instead of the 2.75 Hz of the original model.

The integrated bracelet with hexagonal central links is fitted with a triple-blade (rather than double-blade) clasp. The articulations have been revisited to hide the visible pins and improve comfort on the wrist.