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.
Interview with the Maison
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.”
