Vacheron Constantin’s reference 44018 -better known as the 222- was launched in 1977 for the brand’s 222th anniversary and it stands apart from the other two iconic sport leisure watches of the 1970s that are the Royal Oak and the Nautilus as it was not designed by Gerald Genta but by the young Jorg Hysek , who gave the watch a slightly more cutting edge flair. Hysek was only 24 years old when the 222 launched – incidentally, Jean-Marc Vacheron was 24 years old when he first officially founded Vacheron Constantin on September 17th 1755.

Its tonneau case features a clever one-piece construction opened by a screwed in porthole type fluted bezel giving it a 120m water resistance.

The 222 was available only with an integrated bracelet of the same metal as the case. Within the 222 lies the ultra-thin, automatic calibre 1121, Vacheron’s take on the renowned Jaeger LeCoultre calibre 920 used in the Patek Philippe Nautilus and the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak.

New research shows that during its 7 year production run the 222 "Jumbo" was made in less than 500 pieces in steel, around 150 in yellow gold and less than 100 in steel/yellow gold.

In overall very attractive condition the present watch is part of the earliest examples known as it was made in 1977, the first year of production of the 222.