製造商: Vacheron Constantin 年份: 1982 型號: 44018 /inside case back stamped with reference number 44518 機芯編號: 725'765 錶殼號碼: 536'730 型號名稱: 222 "Jumbo" 材料: 18K white gold 機芯: Automatic, cal. 1121, 36 jewels 錶帶/ 錶鏈: 18K white gold Vacheron Constantin bracelet, max length 200mm 錶扣: 18K white gold Vacheron Constantin deployant clasp 尺寸: 37mm Diameter 簽名: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed 配件: 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.
圖錄文章
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.
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.
