Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Vacheron Constantin 222 Ladies Yellow Gold, early 1980s
- Maker / attribution
- Vacheron Constantin (maker)
- Date
- early 1980s
- Historical period
- Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Materials / technique
- yellow gold
- Dimensions
- Case 37 mm
- Stock no.
- 40991625
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Analog/Shift (40991625)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Vacheron Constantin 222 Ladies Yellow Gold (English)
View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction
Record summary
Catalogued by Analog/Shift (dealer), New York (stock number 40991625), this is a wristwatch by Vacheron Constantin, made in Switzerland, dated early 1980s. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: yellow gold. Recorded dimensions: Case 37 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — Analog/Shift
For the watch industry, the 1970s was a decade of great upheaval, and even Vacheron Constantin, stalwart member of the Holy Trinity, wasn’t immune to the challenges of the era. To celebrate the manufacture’s 222nd anniversary in 1977, Vacheron introduced the 222. For its distinctive design, the maison leaned on a young maverick designer by the name of Jorg Hysek. The watch that Hysek designed, with its thin, angular case with an integrated bracelet admittedly drew inspiration from the Royal Oak and Nautilus, signaling a new modern direction for the classically-minded atelier. The serrated bezel of the 222, paired with a clean non-textured dial was entirely unique to Vacheron Constantin. The original model - sized at 37mm - saw production in limited numbers: Only 500 were made in steel, 100 in solid gold, and 120 in two-tone. The line was then discontinued in 1985, making it exceedingly rare. This 222 is a ladies model dating to the early 1980s. Housed in a 24mm 18K yellow gold case with a signed crown and signature stylized bezel, it features a grey, non-luminous dial with applied gold ‘stick’ indices and a matching ‘sword’ handset. Signed with the brand’s signature Maltese cross logo on the front of the case at 5 o’clock, it comes paired to an integrated multi-link bracelet with a signed locking clasp, and is powered by a quartz movement. In absolutely untouched condition throughout with an unpolished case and flawless dial, this is an opportunity for a discerning female collector to own a beautiful example of one of the most iconic timepieces of the era.
Historical context
Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.
Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology
Atlas type guide
Wristwatches
Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.
After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.
What to look for
- The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
- The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
- Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
- Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.
Dating clues
- Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
- Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
- Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
Related records
Pocket Watches · c. 1896
Vacheron Constantin “grand TIR de L’exposition Nationale, Genève 1896, c. 1896
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Pocket Watches · c. 1940
Vacheron Constantin pocket watch, ref. 345, c. 1940
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Pocket Watches · c. 1945
Vacheron Constantin pocket chronometer, c. 1945
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Pocket Watches · c. 1945
Vacheron Constantin watch, c. 1945
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Wristwatches · 1970
Wristwatch by Heno, Switzerland, 1970
Museum Rotterdam
Wristwatches · 1960–1986
'Tri-Compax' calendar chronograph wristwatch in gold case, by Universal, Geneva, Switzerland, 1960–1986.
Science Museum Group, London
Wristwatches · 1969–1970
Beta 21 Quartz wristwatch movement, made in Switzerland, 1970.
Science Museum Group, London
Wristwatches · c. 1969
Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch, ref. 145022-69st, c. 1969
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva