Manufacturer: Vacheron Constantin Year: 1976 Reference No: 2215 Movement No: 673'856 Case No: 273 further engraved 514'590, this number is repeated inside the case back Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1016, 29 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Vacheron Constantin bracelet measuring 200mm max Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Vacheron Constantin deployant clasp Dimensions: 36.5mm Width Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed Accessories: Accompanied by Vacheron Constantin Extract from the Archives confirming date of Manufacture in 1976
Catalogue Essay
For those who are too young to remember, a casual/sports steel watch with a prestigious horological name just didn’t exist until about 50 years ago. The 70s were not only the age of bellbottoms, flower power, experimental music and drugs, but for all watch enthusiasts, it also heralded the arrival of the luxury sports watch which filled the horologically famished sportsters (or those wanting to look as good on the slopes in Gstaad, on their yacht in Monte-Carlo or clothed in a bespoke suit) with joy and gratitude. It was in 1977 that Vacheron Constantin launched its first official sports watch, the sleek chic 222 evolving into the Overseas.
However, in 1975 the brand – who had been toying with the idea of a casual/chic model for some time – took a step in the direction of a sports/leisure model with the introduction of the reference 2215 (also named 42001, the reference numbers changed along the way).
Interestingly, Vacheron Constantin chose to house this sports watch within the prestigious Chronomètre Royal collection which was named after a precision pocket watch born in 1907 and with the first wristwatches launched in the mid-1950s as a collection dedicated to accuracy, precision time-keeping and elegant dress watches!
The present reference 2215 in steel impresses thanks to its excellent state of preservation and its bold design. The rectangular case with cut corners, the large opening of the dial with stepped bezel and the steel bracelet provide incredible wrist presence.
According to Vacheron Constantin archives less than 220 pieces were made in stainless steel and only 50 in yellow gold making the present example even more desirable.
The world's oldest watch brand in continuous operation since its founding in 1755, Vacheron Constantin was the first watch company to manufacture movements with interchangeable parts beginning in 1839. Vacheron's watches are admired for their Latin-influenced case designs, well-balanced proportions and exquisitely finished movements of the highest quality. The Geneva-based manufacturer is known for their highly complicated masterpieces, including the King Farouk Grand Complication made in 1935, the Tour de l'Ile that was the most complicated serially produced wristwatch when introduced in 2005 and the 57260 — the world’s most complicated watch — made in 2015.
Key vintage models include minute repeating wristwatches such as the references 4261, chronographs such as the references 4178 and 6087 and the oversized Cioccolotone models such as ref. 4737. Collectors also appreciate Vacheron's Chronometer Royal pocket and wristwatches, as well as the '222,' the brand's first luxury sports watch produced from 1977 through 1984.
