Vacheron Constantin 222 'Jumbo'

For the watch industry, the 1970s was a decade of great change — from within as well as without — and even Vacheron Constantin, stalwart member of the Big Three, wasn’t immune.

The 1969 introduction of the Seiko Astron, the world’s first commercially available quartz wristwatch, sent tremors throughout the industry. Though quartz in and of itself was not a new technology, the Astron’s application of it was revolutionary. Both visually and internally, the Astron was something the industry hadn’t seen before, with a distinctive case shape to house the quartz movement. Attempts by big Swiss manufacturers to release a quartz watch of their own — the Beta 21 — met with failure.

As sales of Swiss watches dipped and as a looming oil crisis gripped the worldwide economy, Swiss manufacturers 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, while 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, Vacheron brought out the 222. For its distinctive design, Vacheron Constantin leaned on a young maverick designer in their stable by the name of Jorg Hysek. The watch that Hysek designed bore a thin, angular case with an integrated bracelet. It was the birth of a new modern look for a classic atelier.

Though similar to the Royal Oak, the serrated bezel of the 222 and its clean, elegant dial was entirely unique to Vacheron Constantin. The 222 saw production in limited numbers: 500 in steel, 100 in 18k gold, and 120 in gold and stainless steel, and was discontinued in 1985, making it exceedingly rare.

The particular 222 that we have here dates to circa 1978 and features a 37mm stainless steel case with a matching integrated bracelet, a signed Maltese cross crown, a sapphire crystal, a stylized bezel, and a dark grey tritium dial with a stick handset. A legendary reference, it remains in good condition showing honest wear despite its age.

These pieces are incredibly hard to come by, with far less of these being produced than its rivals from the era. That is — until spring of 2022 when Vacheron released an excellent reissue in solid 18k yellow gold.

Don’t miss your chance to own one of the original luxury sports watches — in steel, no less!

Few watchmakers can claim a lineage as long or as rich as that of Vacheron Constantin.
Established in 1755, the manufacture soon had a reputation for the elegance of its products, which included pocket watches with complicated movements and engine-turned dials. Even today, these are marks of a watchmaker’s expertise due to the skill and precision involved in crafting them. For Vacheron Constantin to have achieved such a feat in the eighteenth century is nothing short of remarkable.
This expertise carried the firm through the 19th century, earning it gold medals at National Exhibitions and blazing trails in the area of anti-magnetic timepieces. The 20th century saw further achievements, such as the opening of its boutique on the Quai de L’Ile in Geneva, where it still resides today.

Even through the Depression and the Second World War, when many watch companies were forced to band together with competitors or else face closure, the manufacture continued to thrive. Whether via its vintage-inspired Historiques collection or its adventurous Overseas line, modern Vacheron Constantin is a horological force to be reckoned with.

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Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.