Lot 139

Vacheron & Constantin

222 Jumbo

A legendary, large and rare bicolor Geneva wristwatch with date and later original box. Only about 700 large "Jumbo" models of the 222 were produced

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This timepiece spent decades untouched in a safe and a layer of gold oxide has formed on the case. This is highly appreciated by collectors, it can, however, easily be removed by polishing the surface.
This model retains its magnificent original condition with bevelled edges that are still crisp and a distinctive steel bracelet with gold inlays as well-fitting as it was the day the watch was purchased – without doubt a true collector’s dream.

In 1977 Vacheron & Constantin launched the legendary "222" to commemorate the 222nd anniversary of the company. The watch was created by emerging designer Jörg Hysek and featured an integrated bracelet, a distinctive, notched "porthole" bezel and an inserted Maltese cross symbol near the lugs; it was the brand’s reaction to the Nautilus, Royal Oak and Ingenieur SL watches that were introduced around that time. It was a period when the Swiss watch manufacturers were looking for new concepts to meet the so-called "quartz crisis".
Vacheron & Constantin used the ultra-flat calibre 1120, which was based on the Jaeger-LeCoultre calibre 920 – at 2.45 mm it was the world’s flattest automatic movement with central rotor and was also used by Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe.
Three different sizes of the "222" were available until the mid 1980s: 37 mm, 34 mm and the 25 mm lady’s quartz model; the model came in steel, yellow gold, white gold and in a bicolour version. During the 8-year production run, only 1,300 25 mm examples, approximately 1,000 midsize and around 700 large "Jumbo" watches were made. Today the model has become a classic and is highly coveted by the collectors.