Vacheron Constantin Celebrates 270 Years of Watchmaking Excellence with the New Historiques 222 Variant

Several well-known watchmakers will celebrate their anniversaries in 2025, highlighting decades, if not centuries, of workmanship and invention. From historical brands remembering decades of horological expertise to newer companies reflecting on their astounding accomplishments, these anniversaries demonstrate the enduring power of exquisite watchmaking. 

Vacheron Constantin is one of the luxury watch brands which will be achieving a significant milestone in its journey this year ― 2025 will mark its 270th anniversary. Founded in Geneva in 1755, the brand boasts a long history of craftsmanship, innovation, and artistic quality. Underlining its achievements over the past 270 years, the timepiece maker has released a stainless steel variant (Ref. 4200H/222A-B934) of Historiques 222.

Originally designed by Jörg Hysek, 222 marked Vacheron Constantin's entry into the luxury sports watch segment, alongside other models. Its bold, angular case, integrated bracelet, and distinct hexagonal bezel became the hallmarks of its design. In 2022, the 222 model was launched in yellow gold. The new 2025 timepiece comes housed in the same 37 mm stainless steel monobloc tonneau case, known as ‘Jumbo’, as that of the vintage model; it has a fluted bezel. The thickness has slightly increased to 7.95 mm. The Maltese Cross at 5 o’clock, a hallmark of the vintage 222, is present on the new variant as well; it is crafted in 18 ct yellow gold. Finishing includes brushed and polished surfaces on the bezel and the case.

This new variant gets a blue dial with matte finishing and a date window at 3 o'clock, which is pulled towards the centre (earlier, it intersected the minute track). There is a white gold polished Maltese cross at 12 o’clock above the Vacheron Constantin logo, along with white gold rectangular hour markers; the baton hour, minute hands, highlighted with Super-LumiNova® (off-white by day and lime green by night), are a nod to the hue of tritium (a radioactive isotope of hydrogen that's used to make watch hands and hour markers glow in the dark).

Powering the watch is self-winding Calibre 2455/2, developed and crafted by Vacheron Constantin. The movement has 40 hours of power reserve. Turning the watch showcases the transparent sapphire crystal caseback with a 22 ct 3N yellow gold oscillating weight. The watch is finished on a stainless steel vertical satin-finished bracelet, with a stainless steel triple-blade folding clasp and a polished half-Maltese cross-shaped buckle.