Thoughts on the new Vacheron 222 in steel?

guaranteed.rohu
Posts
1,232
Likes
6,386
"Vacheron Constantin now has a Historiques 222 in steel. It has the same great dimensions (37mm by 7.95mm), the same movement, and the same vintage touches, now in more casual and affordable stainless steel, for $32,000. And yes, it’s awesome."

Thoughts? I think it looks fantastic. Maybe we're generally towards the end of the integrated bracelet watch craze though (at least grey market prices are dropping massively). Love the colour they've gone with on the dial.

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/introducing-vacheron-constantin-222-steel

1736763315682.webp 1736763493116.webp 1736763481595.webp


The Movement

Caliber: Caliber 2455/2
Functions: Hours, minutes, date
Diameter: 26.2mm
Thickness: 3.6mm
Power Reserve: 40 hours of power reserve
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour
Jewels: 27
Chronometer Certified: No
Additional Details: Hallmark of Geneva certified timepiece


Pricing & Availability

Price: $32,000
Availability: Immediately
Limited Edition: No, but exclusive to Vacheron Constantin boutiques.

1736763377366.webp
 
blufinz52
Posts
3,311
Likes
8,715
To me, it looks like a Rolex Oyster Perpetual with a nice bracelet and date window at 5 times the price.
 
Gubbo
Posts
196
Likes
194
Incredibly expensive. And it just misses something that the gold version has
 
Tony C.
Posts
7,980
Likes
27,939
$35k? I rather buy a summer house.

Seriously, though, I was never an AP Royal Oak fan, even setting cost aside, and let's face it, the 222 was essentially a copy, albeit high-class.

As for this particular example, I would not want a date function, and have never been a fan of integrated bracelets. The movement, while presumably of very good quality, is not to my taste, aesthetically. I wouldn't want the model reference stamped on a 22k gold rotor, nor do I like the too-cute-by-half scalloping, designed to mimic the (unattractive, in my view) bezel.
 
Evitzee
Posts
7,518
Likes
13,893
It's in line with the pricing of the day for these uber sports watches, it will also be unobtainable for the average Joe. It does not have the original, ultra thin movement that the Royal Oak, Nautilus and VC 222 used. It's nice, but not compelling. VC is a lost brand, kind of like Breguet, it doesn't know where it wants to go.
Edited:
 
Larry S
Posts
13,457
Likes
52,943
Overdone and overpriced.
 
Porteroso
Posts
728
Likes
2,174
I think it is a really nice watch. I might pay $5k for it. The reality is that new watches just simply price themselves out of everywhere except the absolutely brand new watch market, where they sure make some money.
 
guaranteed.rohu
Posts
1,232
Likes
6,386
Evitzee Evitzee
It's in line with the pricing of the day for these uber sports watches, it will also be unobtainable for the average Joe. It does not have the original, ultra thin movement that the Royal Oak, Nautilus and VC 222 used. It's nice, but not compelling. VC is a lost brand, kind of like Breguet, it doesn't know where it wants to go.
Yeah interesting take, I think I recall reading in a few places that Vacheron had had a very good growth in the past few years, at least financially.

https://revolutionwatch.com/vacheron-constantin-morgan-stanley-luxe-consult-billionaire/

Agree that somehow even though it's the exact same watch, I really quite like the yellow gold model, but the steel is nice yet not stunning. Agreed that breguet seems a bit vague. I'd suggest there are a lot of brands far more lost than vacheron at least... AP have turned themselves into a 1-trick pony, even Omega I think massively cheapens their brand by having a million and one limited editions of all their most popular watches, plus some kinda average watches on the cheap end, I mean Omega is always going to play second fiddle to Rolex with this approach (which seems to be where they're happy to I guess). Where are ulysses nardin, blancpain, glashutte original going as brands? I'm not a huge fan of them but Breitling and Tag Heuer seem to at least have fairly compelling brand vision and direction!
 
Ron_W
Posts
1,377
Likes
2,802
Evitzee Evitzee
VC is a lost brand, kind of like Breguet, it doesn't know where it wants to go.
Exactly that !
 
Knebo
Posts
243
Likes
380
I do like the watch (when ignoring the price). Better than a PP Cubitus, for sure, hahaha. A no-date version would be a hit.
 
Knebo
Posts
243
Likes
380
PS: I'd rather chat up someone wearing this watch than a Royal Oak.
 
Emeister
Posts
968
Likes
1,726
Tony C. Tony C.
I wouldn't want the model reference stamped on a 22k gold rotor
And there I was, thinking those were coat hangers, presumably to indicate it is high fashion. 🥸

Reality: way out of my price range and most integrated bracelets aren't my cup of tea anyway. I do generally like VC clasps though, for some reason.

20250424_113529.webp
Edited:
 
Annapolis
Posts
1,782
Likes
2,607
I do like VC’s dress watches, and the Overseas is ok, although way too big in its current (larger) iteration.

So I’d be inclined to like this, but… no.

This design should have been left in the late 70s where it belongs.

I’d ask myself this: if it weren’t a VC—if it were some random microbrand that had made this and it cost $150, would I be interested? For me, at least, it’s a hard no.

The movement is nicely finished, of course, but I’ve had a VC at a much lower price point that featured a prettier one without a rotor obstructing the view. The price on this watch is actually insulting.

All that said, if anyone has one to give away, I’ll gladly share my address.
 
SWmania
Posts
153
Likes
152
I've had a chance to view this new one side-to-side with a great vintage example recently at Christies HK preview.

It was apparent : the makings and quality of vintage was quite superlative.

It was much more thin, and I just liked the feel of it on the wrist much better.

Of course the modern iteration is much more robust, but rarity & quality - I would have to give it to the vintage one.

Although it is true that vintage one went for quite a bit more than the modern iteration.
 
Canuck
Posts
15,186
Likes
44,605
Those who might buy this will derive some satisfaction that its price will keep the “riff raff out of the neighbourhood”.
 
reinord.morse
Posts
2
Likes
1
I’ve always loved VC’s blue dial color, but the price is a definite no for me. And that bracelet design tho, is really something!
 
Sign up or log in to reply...