1074
Vacheron Constantin
Ref. 44018/411
222
A rare and attractive two-tone yellow gold and stainless steel wristwatch with date, bracelet and presentation box
Full-Cataloguing
- Confirmed by the Vacheron Extract from the Archives made in 1979
- Less than 100 examples were produced in two tone stainless steel and yellow gold
- Jumbo size 222
Officially released in 1977, the Vacheron Constantin reference 44018- better known as the 222 – was launched for the brand’s 222th anniversary. The 222 was designed by 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 Vacheron Constantin reference 44018 is in excellent condition, maintaining strong proportions and crisp bevel. Given the limited production, outstanding condition and exponential increase in interest in steel sports elegance from the 1970's, the present 222 from 1979 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.