There aren't many watches in the world that get us excited enough to jump out of our seat; the Vacheron Constantin Historiques Ref. 222 does just that. It's breathtaking, jawdropping and undeniably one of the best modern reissues of a wristwatch ever made, period.

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.

Condition Report:
Overall, the watch is in excellent condition. There are only minor hairline scratches on the case sides and bracelet, and only minor signs of use. On the stepped bezel there is an extremely minor ding near the crown. The dial and crystal are clean with no marks or blemishes. The bracelet is currently sized and comes with all of its links.

Vacheron Constantin 222 History:
The Ref. 222, made its original debut in 1977 to celebrate Vacheron Constantin's 222nd anniversary. It marked a significant departure from their conventional 'old world' designs, bringing the brand's foray into the luxury sports watch market. Designed by the young visionary Jorg Hysek, it was a fresh and innovative perspective to the brand's traditional aesthetic. Although what we have today is not the original Ref. 222 from 1977, this particular model stands as a brilliant reissue that was unveiled at Watches and Wonders 2022. Without a doubt, the Vacheron Constantin 222 took centre stage that year, dominating conversations and stealing the limelight at the event.