For the watch industry, the 1970s was a decade of great upheaval, and even Vacheron Constantin, stalwart member of the Holy Trinity, wasn’t immune to the challenges of the era.
The 1969 introduction of the Seiko Astron, the world’s first commercially available quartz wristwatch, sent tremors throughout the industry. Both visually and internally, the Astron was something the industry hadn’t seen before, with a distinctive case shape housing a movement that kept better time than the finest Swiss mechanical calibres - at a fraction of the price. Attempts by big Swiss manufacturers to release a quartz watch of their own — the Beta 21 — weren't a commercial success.
As sales of Swiss timepieces dipped and as a looming oil crisis gripped the worldwide economy, Swiss manufactures realized that they had to develop something truly unique if they wished to stay afloat. Thus, Audemars Piguet tapped the brilliant mind of Gérald Genta to design the Royal Oak in 1972, creating a new category of 'Sport Luxury' timepieces with eye-watering price tags. Their gamble payed off and the market has seemingly been infatuated with the style ever since! Patek Philippe followed suit with the Nautilus in 1976. That left Vacheron Constantin to try its hand at the “luxury sports watch.”
To celebrate the manufacture’s 222nd anniversary in 1977, Vacheron introduced the 222. For its distinctive design, the maison leaned on a young maverick designer by the name of Jorg Hysek. The watch that Hysek designed, with its thin, angular case with an integrated bracelet admittedly drew inspiration from the Royal Oak and Nautilus, signaling a new modern direction for the classically-minded atelier.
The serrated bezel of the 222, paired with a clean non-textured dial was entirely unique to Vacheron Constantin. The original model - sized at 37mm - saw production in limited numbers: Only 500 were made in steel, 100 in solid gold, and 120 in two-tone. The line was then discontinued in 1985, making it exceedingly rare.
This 222 is a ladies model dating to the early 1980s. Housed in a 24mm 18K yellow gold case with a signed crown and signature stylized bezel, it features a grey, non-luminous dial with applied gold ‘stick’ indices and a matching ‘sword’ handset. Signed with the brand’s signature Maltese cross logo on the front of the case at 5 o’clock, it comes paired to an integrated multi-link bracelet with a signed locking clasp, and is powered by a quartz movement.
In absolutely untouched condition throughout with an unpolished case and flawless dial, this is an opportunity for a discerning female collector to own a beautiful example of one of the most iconic timepieces of the era.
