Pricing and Availability
The price of a watch like this almost isn’t worth mentioning. This is the definition of a hype watch: a remake of a beloved vintage model from a hot high-end brand that collectors have been clamoring for.
It doesn’t take a genius to see that stainless steel 222s will be impossible for a regular person to go out and buy. This watch will be allocated to VIPs, it will be exceedingly rare and once examples hit the secondary market, the price will be highly inflated.
But discounting all that, the switch to stainless steel means this watch comes in at quite a lower price point than the gold version — while also obviously being far lighter and more casual-looking.
The Vacheron Constantin Historiques 222 in stainless steel retails for $32,000. That is less than half the price of the gold version which retails for $74,000, and it’s in the ballpark of its closest analog from AP: the Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin, which has an SRP of $36,000.
It’s also worth noting that the steel 222 is also quite a bit more expensive than Vacheron’s Overseas in the same material, which is a straight-up bargain in comparison at $25,000 — especially when considering what the Overseas offers. Compared to the 222, the Overseas has an extra 100m of water resistance, includes two additional straps all fitted with a quick-change system, and its movement has a power reserve that’s 50 percent longer than the 40 hours offered in the 222.
Belgium
