Signed Vacheron Constantin, Genève, 222 model, ref. 46003/441, movement no. 710’191, case no. 547’813, circa 1981

Born in the midst of the 1970s quartz-crisis, the ref. 222 was launched for the 222nd anniversary of the Vacheron Constantin manufacture. A response to the already existing Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Patek Philippe Nautilus, the present reference was designed by the renowned watch designer Jörg Hysek with an ultra-thin angular case, an integrated bracelet and a two-part case with an ingenuous screw-down serrated bezel. Radically diverging from the already existing design notions of the brand, the wristwatch paved the way for the future sport timepieces of the manufacture.

In excellent overall condition, the present wristwatch is the all steel version of the model, which at the time was produced in steel, steel and gold as well as entirely made of gold. The model was produced for only seven years and made in 500 timepieces across all metal and dial combinations.