To begin the celebration of 270 years of passion, and in response to the expectations of its clients, Vacheron Constantin presents the inaugural timepiece marking its anniversary year: the Historiques 222 in stainless steel.

This model harks back to a legendary creation, first unveiled in 1977 to mark its 222^nd anniversary. Designed by Jorg Hysek, the model was an immediate departure from the sports watch conventions of the time, which had mainly been professional models for pilots, divers and explorers, and captured a new cultural mood that blurred the lines between formality and sportiness. As well as marking a break with traditional sports watch characteristics, the 222 was a quintessentially 1970s design and introduced a new stylistic signature to the Maison.

Fitted with an integrated bracelet, its case featured a functional construction with a flat table, topped by a prominent fluted bezel and stamped with a Maltese cross at 5 o’clock. The monobloc case, which required the movement to be fitted from the top, was water-resistant to 120 metres thanks to its screw-down bezel. Displaying the hours, minutes and date, the 222 also boasted exemplary slenderness at just 7 mm, thanks to the ultra-thin Calibre 1120; measuring a mere 3.05 mm, it was the world’s thinnest full-rotor automatic movement. Balancing this visual elegance, the simple, baton-style hands and hour-markers, and the large hexagonal central links of the bracelet conveyed an impression of robustness and confident modernity.

In 2025, Vacheron Constantin presents a new edition of the first 222 model – nicknamed ‘Jumbo’ by collectors and featuring a blue dial framed by a 37 mm stainless steel case. The re-edition benefits from several technical improvements. The joints of the bracelet – which is now fastened with a triple-blade rather than a twin-blade clasp – have been redesigned to hide the visible pins and improve ergonomics. The caseback which bears a signature representing Vacheron Constantin’s 270^th anniversary has been fitted with a transparent sapphire crystal to reveal the in-house Calibre 2455/2. Slightly smaller in diameter than its predecessor, it is still only 3.6 mm thick. The oscillating weight of this high-precision movement is engraved with the original 222 logo and edged with a fluted motif reminiscent of the bezel. Thanks to its frequency of 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour) – compared with 2.75 Hz on the original model – the movement offers enhanced precision and is endowed with a 40-hour power reserve.

On the dial, the date window has been moved towards the centre so that it no longer encroaches on the minutes track. The vintage font of the “AUTOMATIC” inscription and the Super-LumiNova^® coating of the hands and hour-markers (off-white by day and lime green by night) are a nod to the hue of the tritium used in historical timepieces. The finishing displays Vacheron Constantin’s eternal attention detail, with a combination of vertical satin-brushing and polishing on several elements of the watch, such as the crown, bracelet and bezel, which creates fascinating light effects.

Like all of the models in Vacheron Constantin’s Historiques collection, the 222 marked an important point in the Maison’s history. While retaining the distinctive design – along with the nostalgic charm – of the original, the 2025 re-edition in stainless steel is absolutely contemporary, embodying the Maison’s core values with sophisticated refinement, a sense of casual ease and uncompromising commitment to the quest for excellence.

Why is it important to celebrate this 270^th anniversary?
According to Christian Selmoni, Style & Heritage Director: “Since the turn of the century, Vacheron Constantin has taken each decade anniversary as an opportunity to talk about its history and the values handed down through the centuries. These milestone anniversaries celebrate a philosophy that combines mechanical research and innovation with a deep commitment to craft and a stylistic approach that is both progressive and highly respectful of classical elegance. While talking about the Maison’s remarkable heritage is one thing, putting it into practice is another. Each of these anniversaries is marked by timepieces that perfectly illustrate the values cultivated within the Manufacture since 1755. As an example, the Maison marked its 250^th anniversary with the Tour de l’Île, featuring what was – at the time – an unprecedented combination of 16 complications. Celebrating the following decade, the Reference 57260 took centre stage; with 57 functions, it was the most complicated watch ever made at the time.”

Alexandra Vogler, Vacheron Constantin CMO said: “This 270^th anniversary will also bring its share of horological «surprises» and expressions of watchmaking expertise – undoubtedly worthy of standing alongside the previous anniversary models.”

Why begin this anniversary year with a reissue of 222?
For Alexandra Vogler: “The 222 is a legendary timepiece and is greatly appreciated by collectors – not least because its initial production run in the late 1970s was very limited. In 2022, a numerically symbolic year, the Maison presented an Historiques 222 edition in yellow gold. The Jumbo version in stainless steel is the next logical step. The distinctive character of the 222 has made it one of Vacheron Constantin’s most recognisable models over the last few decades. By kicking off its 270^th anniversary with this iconic timepiece – one that is vintage yet resolutely contemporary – the Maison is weaving past and present together. The Historiques 222 will be followed by other new models throughout this anniversary year.”

Does the Maison’s 270-year history, which could be viewed as encapsulating the history of watchmaking itself, entail a certain responsibility?
According to Christian Selmoni: “Tracing Vacheron Constantin’s past involves looking back at a large swathe of watchmaking history – and as one of the oldest watchmaking Maisons in continuous operation, we undoubtedly have a greater duty of remembrance than any other. This has been understood since 1755 and we consider it an important responsibility to preserve and perpetuate this story for future generations. Our archives are extremely rich, with a multitude of written and photographic documents that testify to all the details of the Manufacture’s production over the centuries and retrace the Maison’s history in the context of its international expansion. There are also period tools and components, as well as a private collection of more than 1,600 timepieces representing a primer on watchmaking styles through the ages.”

Founded in 1755, Vacheron Constantin is the world’s oldest watch Manufacture in continuous production for 270 years, faithfully perpetuating a proud heritage of watchmaking excellence and stylistic sophistication through generations of master craftsmen.

At the pinnacle of Haute Horlogerie and understated elegance, the Maison creates timepieces with unique technical and aesthetic signatures, and an extremely high level of finishing touches.

Vacheron Constantin brings to life unparalleled heritage and a spirit of innovation through its collections: Patrimony, Traditionnelle, Métiers d’Art, Overseas, Fiftysix, Historiques and Égérie. It also offers its discerning clientele of connoisseurs the rare opportunity to acquire vintage pieces within the Les Collectionneurs assortment, as well as unique and bespoke timepieces by means of its Les Cabinotiers department.

Reference	:	4200H/222A-B934
Movement	:	Calibre 2455/2 Developed and crafted by Vacheron Constantin Mechanical, self-winding 22K 3N yellow gold dedicated oscillating weight
Diameter	:	26.2 mm (12½‘’’)
Thickness	:	3.6 mm
Power reserve	:	Approximately 40 hours
Frequency	:	4Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour)
Components	:	194
Jewels	:	27
Certification	:	Hallmark of Geneva certified timepiece
Case	:	Stainless steel
Diameter	:	37 mm
Thickness	:	7.95 mm 18K yellow gold Maltese cross placed at 5 o’clock
Caseback	:	Transparent sapphire crystal
Water resistance	:	Tested at a pressure of 5 bar (approx. 50 metres)
Dial	:	Blue White gold polished Maltese cross applied to the dial White gold hour-markers and hands highlighted with Supe-LumiNova® (off-white during the day and lime green at night)
Bracelet	:	Stainless steel, vertical satin finished
Buckle	:	Stainless steel triple-blade folding clasp Polished half Maltese cross-shaped
Exclusivity	:	Available exclusively from Vacheron Constantin boutiques