Designed by Jorg Hysek and originally launched in 1977 to celebrate the company’s 222nd anniversary, the Vacheron Constantin 222 holds the distinction of being the historic Swiss manufacturer’s first integrated bracelet sports watch, and it is easily one of the most celebrated models from the brand’s vast archives. Back in 2023, Vacheron revived the legendary 222 as part of its Historiques collection, and while the resurrected VC 222 was exclusively offered in solid yellow gold, it only seemed like a matter of time before we would see a stainless steel version join the catalog. To kick things off in 2025, Vacheron has given the public exactly what it has been anticipating for the last two years, and the new Vacheron Constantin Historiques 222 in stainless steel features a dark blue dial and celebrates the historic Swiss brand’s 270th anniversary.
At a quick glance, the new Vacheron Constantin Historiques 222 in stainless steel (ref. 4200H/222A-B934) is essentially a material variation of the original 18k yellow gold Historiques 222 (4200H/222J-B935) that debuted in 2023. Swap gold for steel, give the watch a blue dial, and you (more or less) have the idea behind this latest release. With that in mind, the fact that a stainless steel 222 is once again available in Vacheron Constantin’s catalog is actually a pretty big deal. Despite being one of the brand’s most famous and recognizable models, the original VC 222 was a fairly short-lived offering, and it was produced in limited numbers, with only 500 examples crafted from stainless steel. Our very own Ed Rhee listed a stainless steel 222 among our watch predictions for 2024, and a steel Vacheron Constantin 222 has been at the top of many collector’s wish lists ever since the original 222 was discontinued back in the mid-1980s.
The overall design of the stainless steel Vacheron Constantin Historiques 222 follows the blueprint of its yellow gold counterpart with an angular case that measures 37mm in diameter by a rather svelte 7.95mm thick. Just like what can be observed on the yellow gold version, a sapphire crystal sits within the 222’s prominently fluted bezel, while a display-style caseback closes up the reverse side of the watch (a departure from the solid casebacks found on the vintage 222 models), and water resistance for the stainless steel VC 222 comes in at 50 meters to protect against daily contact. Although the case and bracelet of the new Historiques 222 are both made from stainless steel, the Maltese cross that appears on the lower right-hand corner of the watch is crafted from 18k yellow gold and soldered onto the small recessed section on the upper surface of its case.
Similar to its exterior, the dial and hands fitted to the stainless steel Vacheron Constantin Historiques 222 follow the same design as what can be observed on its yellow gold sibling, and it features applied baton-shaped hour markers, two centrally-mounted hands, and a framed date window at the 3 o’clock location. However, on the new stainless steel Historiques 222, the dial’s surface has been given a matte dark blue finish, and its hands, hour markers, and applied Maltese cross emblem are all crafted from white gold to complement the cold and pale hue of its steel case. Additionally, just like the yellow-gold version, the hands and hour markers on the stainless steel Vacheron Constantin Historiques 222 all receive an application of Super-LumiNova, which appears an off-white color in the daylight and emits a green-colored glow in the dark.
Powering the new stainless steel Historiques 222 is Vacheron Constantin’s in-house Caliber 2455/2 automatic movement, which can also be found inside the yellow-gold version of the VC 222. Running at a frequency of 28,800vph (4 Hz) with a power reserve of approximately 40 hours, the 27-jewel Cal. 2455/2 consists of 194 individual components, and it measures just 3.6mm thick, which enables the Historiques 222 to maintain its slender case profile. Sitting fully visible through the sapphire window in the caseback, the time-and-date Caliber 2455/2 is manufactured to Geneva Hallmark standards, and it is completed by a solid 22k yellow gold oscillating weight that is prominently engraved with the original 222 logo and adorned with a fluting motif that mirrors the notched rim of the VC 222’s signature bezel.
As a true integrated bracelet watch, the Vacheron Constantin Historiques 222 fully incorporates its bracelet into the design of its case, with its large hexagonal center links mounting directly into the upper and lower sides of the watch. Devoid of any type of quick-release system, the Historiques 222’s bracelet is very much intended to be a permanent fixture, and it appears to be attached via two single-sided screws that enter from the 3 o’clock side of the lugs. Although the new stainless steel bracelet faithfully recreates the appearance of the vintage examples, it has been redesigned to improve ergonomics and provide an increased sense of refinement. The joints of the bracelet have been reworked to conceal their connecting pins, and the folding clasp now offers a triple-blade design, rather than adhering to a twin-blade approach like the original VC 222 watches.
A stainless steel Historiques 222 has been an inevitability since Vacheron Constantin revived the 222 nearly two years ago and exclusively offered the model in solid gold. While the luxury watch industry now offers ample options when it comes to integrated bracelet sports watches, the 222 isn’t just another entry into this increasingly crowded space; instead, it represents Vacheron’s original vision for this highly popular style of timepiece that dates back to the very early days of the genre in the 1970s. The stainless steel Vacheron Constantin Historiques 222 (ref. 4200H/222A-B934) has an official retail price of $32,000 USD, which makes it less than half the price of its solid gold sibling and a solid chunk of change less than what it currently takes to secure a vintage VC 222 in stainless steel. For more information on the Vacheron Constantin Historiques 222, please visit the brand’s website.
