167 Vacheron Constantin Oversize and Extremely Rare, 222 Jumbo, Automatic Wristwatch in Yellow Gold, Champagne Dial, Diamond-Set Bezel and Bracelet, With Extract from the Archives, Reference 44 518/415

Estimate: €80,000 –⁠ 160,000

Model: 222
Reference: 44518/415
Case Material: Yellow Gold and Diamonds
Bracelet Material: Yellow Gold and Diamonds
Year: 1978
Movement: Automatic
Caliber: 1121
Case N°: 536708
Movement N°: 685 722
Dimensions: 37 mm
Signed: Dial, Case and Movement
Accessories: Extract from the Archives

The 1970s saw the introduction of the three top sport-luxury watches: Patek Philippe had the Nautilus, Audemars Piguet had the Royal Oak, while Vacheron Constantin had the 222. Whereas the first two brands asked for the help of the genius of Gerald Genta, Vacheron Constantin turned to the young maverick designer Jorg Hysek to create a sporty yet elegant watch to commemorate the brand’s 222nd anniversary in 1977. The result was the reference 44 018. With a striking tonneau case shape of 37 mm, and thus known as “Jumbo”, it is a clever monobloc construction, similar to other watches of the era, featuring sharp facets and angles and the distinctive Maltese Cross at the lower right of the case top. Interestingly, the case features an anti-magnetic shield and together with the screw-down bezel provides a water resistance of up to 120 m. The Jumbo was produced in very limited numbers around 700 pieces total. Predominantly found in stainless steel, the Jumbo was also available in yellow gold/stainless steel, white gold and 18k yellow gold. There are also a very limited number of diamonds set examples bearing the reference 44 518/415, such as the lot here offered. Equipped with special bezel featuring brilliant cut diamonds that match perfectly the diamonds on the bracelet this very specimen is absolutely astonishing and precious. Moreover the scalloped bezel and the hexagonal flat links of the bracelet, as well as its ultra-thin, automatic caliber make this 222 Jumbo in gold one of the rarest and sought after considering that it was in production for only 7 years. Moreover, the 222 Jumbo was made in far fewer numbers than both the Royal Oak and Nautilus: just to make it clear, the total of 222 production was only around a quarter of the original A-Series Royal Oak Jumbo.