Imagine our surprise when Vacheron Constantin announced the revival of the legendary 222 just weeks after we had secured a vintage original.

The story of the 222 begins in the 1970s, a transformative decade for the Swiss watch industry. This era saw the emergence of a new category: the stainless steel luxury sports watch with an integrated bracelet. The blueprint was laid in 1972 with the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, designed by Gérald Genta. In 1976, Patek Philippe and IWC Schaffhausen followed with the Patek Philippe Nautilus and the IWC Ingenieur SL; both also conceived by Genta. A year later, in 1977, Vacheron Constantin joined this new frontier with the release of the “222,” commemorating its 222nd anniversary.

Rather than turning to Genta, Vacheron Constantin entrusted the design to a young and promising Jörg Hysek. While Hysek drew on the emerging design language of the genre, an ultra-thin, cushion-shaped steel case with strong shoulders and an integrated bracelet featuring bold geometric links, he introduced defining elements of his own. The fluted, screw-down bezel and the discreet Maltese cross at 5 o’clock distinguish the 222 from its contemporaries, giving it a character that is both refined and unmistakable.

The model (in this shape) was offered in two sizes: a 37 mm “Jumbo” and a more compact 34 mm version. Production lasted only seven years, and it is estimated that roughly 700 Jumbo examples were made across steel, two-tone, yellow gold, and white gold configurations; making it one of the rarest icons of its era.

The present Jumbo example stands out for its exceptional preservation. The stainless steel case retains its original bevels, and the bracelet remains impressively tight, hallmarks of careful ownership. Its soft grey dial is equally well preserved, featuring applied baton indices with tritium lume that has aged to a warm, creamy hue. A framed date aperture at 3 o’clock adds a subtle touch of charm and balance.

Powering the 222 is the ultra-thin caliber 1121 automatic movement, based on Jaeger-LeCoultre’s revered caliber 920, a movement also found in early Royal Oak and Nautilus references, underscoring the watch’s pedigree.

With the model’s modern revival reigniting global interest, the 222 is once again in the spotlight. This example offers a rare opportunity to acquire an original in outstanding condition, accompanied by an official archive extract from Vacheron Constantin confirming its production in 1979.