Vacheron Constantin - The Geneva Watch Auction: XVII Geneva Saturday, May 13, 2023 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Vacheron Constantin
    Year: 1982
    Reference No: 44018 /inside case back stamped with reference number 44518
    Movement No: 725'765
    Case No: 536'730
    Model Name: 222 "Jumbo"
    Material: 18K white gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1121, 36 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K white gold Vacheron Constantin bracelet, max length 200mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Vacheron Constantin 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 1982, further confirming the present reference 44018 is the only one known in white gold.

  • Catalogue Essay

    At Phillips we have had the privilege of offering some of the world’s rarest watches, timepieces that were heard of but never seen. Rarely have we had such a discovery as the present Vacheron Constantin 222 in white gold. Until today, research had showed us 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.

    We are delighted to offer one of the rarest and most important pieces ever made by Vacheron Constantin: a previously unknown watch, even to the brand: a unique white gold 222. This watch was originally meant to be gemset, explaining the reference 44518 engraved inside the caseback. However, as per the client’s request the watch remained as is and consequently within the Vacheron Constantin archives the watch retains the original 222 reference 44018.

    The 222 was launched in 1977 for the 222nd anniversary of the foundation of the brand and is part of what could be call the “Holy Three” or the three watches that propelled steel sports watches to the rank of icons in the 70s.

    This trilogy brings together Audemars Piguet Royal Oak from 1972, Patek Philippe Nautilus from 1976 and Vacheron Constantin's 222 from 1977. These iconic watches share the same famous movement base, Jaeger LeCoultre's caliber 920, modified here by the manufacture Vacheron Constantin to become the ultra-thin, automatic caliber 1121. Although their designs are very similar, the Vacheron Constantin 222 differs from these two "cousins" by its designer; in fact, the 222 was designed by the young Jorg Hysek, then 24 years old. Incidentally, Jean-Marc Vacheron was also 24 years old when he first officially founded Vacheron Constantin on September 17th, 1755.

    The importance of this timepiece cannot be underlined enough. It is a unique (as confirmed by the Extract from the Archives), previously unknown and undocumented version of one of Vacheron Constantin’s most iconic watches.There are watches that are grails and there are others that surpass grail status and enter the realm of quasi mythology due to their incredible rarity and importance.

    The present Vacheron Constantin 222 in white gold is part of this elite circle as There.Is.Not.Another.One.

  • Artist Biography

    Vacheron Constantin

    Swiss • 1755

    The 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.

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Ref. 44018 /inside case back stamped with reference number 44518
A previously unknown, most probably unique and historically important white gold wristwatch with bracelet and date

1982
37mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF100,000 - 200,000 
€104,000-208,000
$114,000-228,000

Sold for CHF571,500

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East

+41 79 637 17 24
AGhotbi@phillips.com

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva

+41 79 460 55 88
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XVII

Geneva Auction 13 - 14 May 2023