The Historiques Ref. 222 features a lavish case meticulously crafted from 18k-3N yellow gold, with a perfectly proportioned dimension of 37mm in diameter, a faithful nod to the original Vacheron Constantin Jumbo 222. Vacheron Constantin has masterfully preserved the 222's slim profile at an impressive 7.95mm. The remarkable slimness of the 222 is largely attributed to the brand's new in-house self-winding Cal. 2455/2, which powers the watch. This movement is meticulously finished and adorned with its iconic '222' engraved solid gold rotor. Although it shares most of its design elements with the original, such as the distinctive fluted bezel and the miniature Maltese Cross logo at the lower right side of the case, the Historiques Ref. 222 now features a 3-part construction with an independent exhibition caseback.

As expected, the overall finishing of the 222's case is flawless, with brushed surfaces and bevels that seamlessly merge with its newly improved integrated bracelet, creating a visually continuous look. Turning our focus to the matte gold dial, it faithfully replicates the layout of the original, including historical fonts, logo placement, and a two-hand configuration. However, being a Historiques reissue, there are some contemporary technical enhancements. For instance, the hour markers and baton hands now incorporate Super-Luminova for better legibility in low-light conditions. Furthermore, the date window aperture has been repositioned, moving away from the outer edge of the minute track, resulting in improved legibility compared to its predecessor.