Yesterday, July 16, 2023, during the final match at Wimbledon, Brad Pitt was spotted wearing a legendary Vacheron Constantin 222 in stainless steel and the watch internet broke. In a thrilling display of tennis mastery, the Wimbledon final of 2023 captivated audiences around the world. As the world's oldest tennis tournament, Wimbledon always carries a special allure, especially when celebrities of the caliber of Brad Pitt are wearing special timepieces. This year's final delivered a spellbinding clash that will be etched in the annals of tennis history.
On a warm and sunny afternoon, the iconic Centre Court at the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club hosted two exceptional athletes battling for tennis immortality. In the end, Spaniard tennis player Carlos Alcaraz Garfia —ranked No. 1 in Men’s Singles by the ATP— ended Novak Djokovic’s winning streak at Wimbledon since 2018.
Photo: Taken from Outkick.com (Photos by GLYN KIRK/AFP, Adrian DENNIS / AFP, Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Back to the watch, the Vacheron Constantin 222 is an iconic timepiece that holds a special place in the hearts of watch enthusiasts worldwide and mine as well. This legendary timepiece was introduced in 1977 to celebrate Vacheron Constantin’s 222nd anniversary —Vacheron Constantin is the oldest watch manufacture in the world—, and this model represents a harmonious blend of timeless elegance and modern sleek design.
Wrongfully attributed by many ignorant watch collectors to Gerald Genta as his creator, this watch was actually designed by German artist and watch and clock designer Jörg Hysek Sr. (pictured below) —his son Jörg Hysek Jr. is the Director of Sales and Business Development at De Bethune. In addition to the design of the Vacheron Constantin 222, Jörg Hysek Sr. is also well known for designing watches like the Breguet Marine and the TAG Heuer Kirium among others.
Immediately identifiable thanks to its slender profile, integrated bracelet, flat top case shape, fluted serrated gear-shaped bezel, and the engraved Maltese cross on the bottom right corner of the case at 5 o’clock, the Vacheron Constantin 222 was resurrected in an all 18K yellow gold reissue —with certain changes from the original model— during Watches & Wonders 2022.
In addition to being a groundbreaking watch with an integrated bracelet, the 222 launched in 1977 also introduced a functional architecture with its flat case top and its prominent fluted bezel. Its monobloc case, which required the movement to be cased-up from above —similar to the AP Royal Oak ‘Jumbo’ from 1972—, was water-resistant to 120 meters thanks to its screw-down bezel.
The 222 boasted exemplary thinness at 7 mm, thanks to its ultra-thin movement measuring barely 3.05 mm and driving indications of the hours, minutes, and date. The baton-type hands and straight hour markers similar to the 1963 reference 6782 Turnograph watch confirmed an understated and refined aesthetic while exuding an impression of robustness thanks to its bracelet screwed to the case middle and featuring large hexagonal central links.
Initially presented in a 37 mm version nicknamed ‘Jumbo’, the 222 was subsequently interpreted in 34 mm and 24 mm steel, yellow gold, or two-tone iterations, polished or gem-set but always adorned with the Maltese cross emblem on the right bottom corner of the case at 5 o'clock.
Remaining in limited production until 1985, the 222 belongs to the legend of the first sporty-chic watches in watchmaking history. The dial exudes sophistication, with its sleek baton hour markers, luminescent hands, and a discreet date display. Powered by a very reliable automatic movement, the 222 ensures accurate timekeeping and longevity. With its classic yet contemporary aesthetic, the Vacheron Constantin 222 is a symbol of refined taste and an emblem of the brand's enduring legacy.
While I am far from looking like Brad Pitt, I can probably wear the iconic vintage Vacheron Constantin 222 in stainless steel just as good as him on my 7.25” wrist. With its refined and very sleek look, this is a watch that despite its smaller case size, it wears like a glove even on bigger wrists.
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