Manufacturer: Vacheron Constantin Year: 1975 Reference No: 2215 Movement No: 673'855 Case No: 514'321 Model Name: Chronomètre Royal Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1016, 29 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Vacheron Constantin bracelet measuring 185mm max Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Vacheron Constantin deployant clasp Dimensions: 36.5mm Width Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed Accessories: Accompanied by Vacheron Constantin fitted box and Extract from the Archives confirming date of Manufacture in 1975
Catalogue Essay
One must give credit to Vacheron Constantin for being a brand that is not afraid to experiment, and the present reference 2215 Chronomètre Royal is a perfect example.
Even though Vacheron Consantin’s official leisure luxury watch with integrated bracelet, the 222, was not launched until 1977, the brand had taken a step towards that direction in 1975 with the introduction of reference 2215 (also named 42001, the reference numbers changed along the way).
This reference however remains elusive as interestingly, Vacheron Constantin chose to house this model within the prestigious Chronomètre Royal collection which was named after a precision pocket watch born in 1907 and with the first wristwatches launched in the mid-1950s as a collection dedicated to accuracy, precision time-keeping and elegant dress watches! The reference 2215 thus merged the best of both worlds, leisure luxury with precision.
In an even more flamboyant move, Vacheron Constatin added baguette diamond markers at 3, 9 and 12 o’clock… and this is years before the arrival on the market of any form of gemset casual chic wristwatches. The present reference 2215 in steel impresses thanks to its excellent state of preservation and its bold design. The rectangular case with cut corners, the large opening of the dial with stepped bezel and the steel bracelet provide incredible wrist presence.
According to Vacheron Constantin archives less than 220 pieces were made in stainless steel and only 50 in yellow gold making the present example even more desirable.
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.
