Lot 378

Vacheron Constantin

222 Saudi Arabian

A legendary, rare bi-color neo-vintage Geneva wristwatch with date - made for the Saudi Arabian royal family

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This piece is in marvellous original condition with well-defined edges and some few age-appropriate signs of wear. The distinctive steel bracelet with gold inlay still has tension and the movement starts up immediately. The dial is original with hands and the applied Maltese cross having acquired a gentle rainbow-coloured patina.
Less than 300 of the square "222" version were produced in total and presumably less than 100 of the two-coloured steel and gold variant. This "222" model carries the Saudi coat of arms on the dial; it is thought that less than 12 such pieces were ever created, The Royal Family presented dignitaries and favoured persons with the timepieces of this small and exclusive series of the square "222".

In 1977 Vacheron & Constantin launched the legendary "222" to commemorate the 222nd anniversary of the company. The watch was created by emerging designer Jörg Hysek and featured an integrated bracelet, a distinctive, notched "porthole" bezel and an inserted Maltese cross symbol near the lugs; it was the brand’s reaction to the Nautilus, Royal Oak and Ingenieur SL watches that were introduced around that time. It was a period when the Swiss watch manufacturers were looking for new concepts to meet the so-called "quartz crisis".
Vacheron & Constantin used the ultra-flat, which was based on the Jaeger-LeCoultre calibre 920 – at 2.45 mm it was the world’s flattest automatic movement with central rotor and was also used by Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe.