58
Vacheron Constantin
Ref. 448048/411
222
A very rare and attractive yellow gold and stainless steel wristwatch with date and bracelet, with presentation box and steel/gold money clip
- Estimate
- CHF25,000 - 50,000€26,000 - 51,900$27,500 - 55,000
CHF82,550
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Vacheron Constantin
- Year
- 1980
- Reference No
- 448048/411
- Movement No
- 718'849
- Case No
- 536'772
- Model Name
- 222
- Material
- 18K yellow gold and stainless steel
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 1121/1, 36 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- 18K yellow gold and stainless steel Vacheron Constantin bracelet, max length 190mm
- Clasp/Buckle
- 18K yellow gold and stainless steel deployant clasp
- Dimensions
- 37mm Diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
- Accessories
- Accompanied by Vacheron Constantin Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 198, fitted presentation box and steel/gold money clip in the shape of the 222 bezel.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
Officially released in 1977, the Vacheron Constantin reference 44018- better known as the 222 – was launched for the brand’s 222th anniversary. Contrary to popular belief, the 222 was not design by the famed Gerald Genta but by the young Jorg Hysek, who remarkably was only 24 years old when the model was launched. Reference 44018 was available in a 34mm 'mid-size' case, a 24mm quartz-powered case or 37mm "jumbo" case, like the present example. Available in stainless steel, yellow gold, white gold and two-tone, the model was certain to appeal to a wide range of clients.
Extremely sleek and comfortable, the Vacheron Constantin 222 features a 37mm tonneau case with an ingenious one-piece construction opened by a screwed in porthole type fluted bezel giving it a 120m water resistance. Available only with an integrated bracelet of the same metal as the case, inside beats the ultra-thin, automatic calibre 1121, a caliber born from the alteration of the very same, ultra-thin Jaeger-LeCoultre 920 mechanism that was used in both the Nautilus and the Royal Oak.
According to factory records, during its eight-year production life, less than 700 pieces in steel, around 150 in yellow gold and less than 100 in steel/yellow gold were made.
The present example features an item that was originally delivered with the 222 but rarely is on offer: a two tone money clip in the shape of the 222 bezel.
The present Vacheron Constantin reference 44018 is in excellent condition, maintaining strong proportions and crisp bevels.
Given the limited production, outstanding condition and exponential increase in interest in steel sports elegance from the 1970s, the present 222 is a rare and unique opportunity for the most discerning of collectors.
Extremely sleek and comfortable, the Vacheron Constantin 222 features a 37mm tonneau case with an ingenious one-piece construction opened by a screwed in porthole type fluted bezel giving it a 120m water resistance. Available only with an integrated bracelet of the same metal as the case, inside beats the ultra-thin, automatic calibre 1121, a caliber born from the alteration of the very same, ultra-thin Jaeger-LeCoultre 920 mechanism that was used in both the Nautilus and the Royal Oak.
According to factory records, during its eight-year production life, less than 700 pieces in steel, around 150 in yellow gold and less than 100 in steel/yellow gold were made.
The present example features an item that was originally delivered with the 222 but rarely is on offer: a two tone money clip in the shape of the 222 bezel.
The present Vacheron Constantin reference 44018 is in excellent condition, maintaining strong proportions and crisp bevels.
Given the limited production, outstanding condition and exponential increase in interest in steel sports elegance from the 1970s, the present 222 is a rare and unique opportunity for the most discerning of collectors.
Vacheron Constantin
Swiss | 1755The world's oldest watch brand in continuous operation since its founding in 1755, Vacheron Constantin was the first watch company to manufacture movements with interchangeable parts beginning in 1839. Vacheron's watches are admired for their Latin-influenced case designs, well-balanced proportions and exquisitely finished movements of the highest quality. The Geneva-based manufacturer is known for their highly complicated masterpieces, including the King Farouk Grand Complication made in 1935, the Tour de l'Ile that was the most complicated serially produced wristwatch when introduced in 2005 and the 57260 — the world’s most complicated watch — made in 2015.
Key vintage models include minute repeating wristwatches such as the references 4261, chronographs such as the references 4178 and 6087 and the oversized Cioccolotone models such as ref. 4737. Collectors also appreciate Vacheron's Chronometer Royal pocket and wristwatches, as well as the '222,' the brand's first luxury sports watch produced from 1977 through 1984.
Browse MakerKey vintage models include minute repeating wristwatches such as the references 4261, chronographs such as the references 4178 and 6087 and the oversized Cioccolotone models such as ref. 4737. Collectors also appreciate Vacheron's Chronometer Royal pocket and wristwatches, as well as the '222,' the brand's first luxury sports watch produced from 1977 through 1984.