The Vacheron Constantin 222 was launched in 1977 for the manufacture’s 222nd anniversary. It was designed by Jörg Hysek, and has a stainless steel case of about 37 mm with an integrated steel bracelet and a bezel with a distinctive notched profile. It runs the ultra-thin automatic calibre 1120, based on the Jaeger-LeCoultre 920, and was also made in gold and in steel-and-gold.

It was Vacheron’s answer to the Royal Oak and the Nautilus, and for many collectors it is the third of the great 1970s integrated-bracelet designs. Production was limited and ended in the 1980s, and the 222 was succeeded by the Overseas in the 1990s.

The 222 is now a sought-after vintage piece, and collectors prize steel examples in good condition. The original is no longer produced, but Vacheron revived the design in 2022 with the Historiques 222, which remains in the collection.