Before Napoleon rose to power, before George Washington became the first president of the United States, and even before the invention of the bicycle, there was Vacheron Constantin. Since 1755, this watchmaking maison has continually pushed the limits of craftsmanship, achieving milestones like creating the world’s first watch complication, the thinnest manual-winding movement, and the most complex mechanical watch ever made—an impressive timepiece with 57 complications.
Now it’s 2025. Two hundred and seventy-seven years have passed, and the house is celebrating its rich legacy with the relaunch of one of its most iconic models: the legendary Historiques 222. And this time, it returns in a highly coveted steel version.
The original 222 debuted in 1977, a time when sports watches were largely functional tools for pilots, divers, and explorers. Elegance and sportiness were like oil and water, but Vacheron Constantin never seemed to care about those rules. But with the launch of this steel iteration, something feels different.
When I first held the 2025 Historiques 222 in my hands, it struck me as deliberate and assured. Every detail felt purposeful, without any unnecessary embellishments. This isn’t a watch that relies on flashy innovations or trendy themes—it simply exists, settled in its purpose. Vacheron Constantin, a proud member of haute horology’s holy trinity, knows its worth.
It all starts and ends with the bracelet. Unlike the gold version that was launched in 2021, this steel iteration makes it much more accessible to a wider audience, shedding nearly SGD90,000 of its golden counterpart.
The angular links and hexagonal inner links work in perfect tandem to achieving a clean, polished fit that drapes on the wrist like a silk gown. The brushed and polished finish only enhances its sophistication. Instead of a twin-blade, the bracelet now closes with a triple blade instead, ensuring a more secure and effortless closure. Once clasped, the two ends vanish into one another, leaving only the Maltese cross as a marker of their meeting.
Much like its predecessors, the 2025 Historiques 222 retains its iconic proportions: a 37mm case diameter, 7.95mm thickness, and 45.3mm lug-to-lug length. Key features like the notched bezel, flat planes, and the Maltese cross at 5 o’clock remain intact.
But there’s a new charisma to this iteration, thanks to its dark matte blue dial. Unlike the monochromatic dials of the past, this deep hue exudes a confident, composed charm that somehow manages to conjure the spirit of the 70s, while standing firmly in the present. It’s essentially timeless—like it's been here for a while, and will continue being here for years to come.
Through the sapphire window of the case back, we get a view of the in-house calibre 2455/2. This self-winding movement operates at 4Hz, offering a 40-hour power reserve—impressive for a calibre just 3.6mm thick. As a visual treat, the 22K 3N yellow gold oscillating weight features an engraving of the original 222 logo and a notched motif along its edge, mirroring the bezel.
The 2025 Historiques 222 isn’t about innovation or spectacle. It’s about presence, about knowing who you are without the need for adornment. Vacheron Constantin understands what it means to create a watch that transcends eras, and the new Historiques 222 is a masterful example of that philosophy.
