They say History repeats so does everything with it … Vacheron Constantin had been toying with the idea of a sporty luxury watch for some time but it was in 1977 that the brand officially launched a sleek, cool masculine watch that would rapidly become an icon for the brand and later the inspirator of the Overseas. The 222 was launched in celebration of Vacheron Constantin’s 222nd anniversary.
This code name actually was derived out of a combination of a calibre 1121 movement, driven by its rotor in 21k gold.
The 222 was produced in 3 variations, steel, gold/steel and all gold and in 2 case sizes (38mm and 34mm in quartz). Its case was somewhat tonneau shaped with a clever one piece construction opened by a screwed in porthole type fluted bezel giving it a 120m water resistance. The 222 was available only with an integrated bracelet of the same metal as the case.
There is a common falsehood that this watch as designed by Gerald Genta. It’s a believable myth as the Ref. 222 has many similarities with Mr. Genta’s two other famous steel sports watches. All have integrated bracelets, all started off in steel only, all have angular bezels and all used the same movement, the Jaeger-LeCoultre 920. In interviews Mr. Genta tended to keep schtum about which brands he worked for if it hadn’t been disclosed (He had signed a nondisclosure with Patek and it was only due to a Japanese newspaper finding out his name and printing it that he was credited with the design of the Nautilus) and even Vacheron Constantin said time and again that the watch was designed by Genta. It has now transpired that it was infact designed by Mr. Jorg Hysek, a prolific designer in his own right.
2016, on occasion of the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie which in Geneva,Vacheron Constantin presented the first five models for a total of 12 references of the new Hallmark of Geneva-certified Overseas collection.
Overseas ultra-thin Calibre 1120 is equipped with the same exclusive movement as the original – the legendary caliber 1120, and now its entirely manufactured in-house by Vacheron. The diameter of the white gold case is 41.5 mm with a thickness of just 8.1 mm. The grey-lacquered dial is enhanced by blue accents. Water-resistance: approx. 50 metres
Ultra-thin is available only in solid white gold and will exclusively be sold in Vacheron Constantin own boutiques as of now .
