2025 Vacheron Constantin 222 - Would I Buy This or An Overseas?

The 2025 Vacheron Constantin 222 arrives as a natural rival to the Patek Philippe Nautilus and Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo. But Vacheron itself offers a surprising number of its own alternatives to the new stainless steel 222 sports watch. Tonight, Tim Mosso explores the Historiques 222 and how it compares to a range of rival steel sports watches. In 1977, Vacheron Constantin launched the reference 44018, but the world remembers it by its model name, 222. The Vacheron Constantin 222 was designed by Jorg Hysek but clearly in the mold of Gerald Genta's prior Audemars Piguet 5402 Royal Oak and the Patek Philippe 3700 Nautilus. All three watches incorporated elements of the "integrated" lug and bracelet design theme that arose in the luxury sports watch market during this period. Fast forward to 2025, and the Vacheron Constantin Historiques 222 arrives in definitive stainless steel form. Although a yellow gold model relaunched the line in 2022, watch collectors knew it would be only a matter of time until a steel equivalent became available - and it did, for $32,000 in 2025. With a blue dial, steel construction, and an automatic manufacture caliber 2455, the new 222 is appealing. But is the 222 really a better choice or a better watch than Vacheron's own Overseas? First, the Overseas 4500V is an extremely competitive offering for $25,000; two extra straps, a manufacture movement, and 150-meter water resistance ensure that this is both a good value and a serious sports wat