2215 Vacheron Constantin Royal Chronometer

This is where the 222 and even Overseas began. This, not the 222, was the first Vacheron Constantin integrated bracelet steel sports watch. It’s called the Royal Chronometer, but better known by ref. 2215. Introduced in 1975, it was replaced by the 222 just (this gets a bit confusing now) 2 years later in 1977. Perhaps more interestingly, it also predates the first ref. 3700 Nautilus. And yet, it does look quite Nauti-like. Perhaps Genta spent less time looking at portholes and more time referencing the Vacheron Constantin catalogue than we’ve been led to believe. We’ll never know. But it is a fascinating Vacheron Constantin that none of us will likely see in the metal, very much a mystery and the 222’s evil twin.

In fact, we don’t even know who penned the 2215. We know only that it was a reaction to the 5402 Royal Oak and predated the Nautilus but there is no designer’s name attached. The story of the 2215 lives in the shadow of the chic 222, waiting to be thoroughly investigated by the right journalist and historian. But the details present many opportunities to double take. First, the 3 upper indices are diamonds, so subtle you don’t notice (more common than without). The bracelet and case are married perfectly with a bevel that flows between both seamlessly. Plus, an orangey-red accent on the edge of the crystal and date at 6? Then there’s the name: Royal Chronometer. This was a standard naming convention introduced in 1907 at Vacheron for only the most accurate chronometer movements the brand made, which evolved into a wristwatch collection.

According to Vacheron Constantin’s archives, fewer than 220 examples were made in steel with 50 in yellow gold. That’s by some margin the least produced sports watch of its time. Now, I know many of you will be stating, ‘for a reason’ right now. And that might be right, the 2215 was an unmitigated failure in it’s day, these did not sell. Jorg Hysek then injected life into the brand with the 222. But these awkward early steps I find unendingly fascinating. So little is still know about the 2215. So few are ever available. And it’s so few of us, absolute obsessive, who care. 1 or 2 come up per year, usually between 40-50K US, depending on where. It’s daring, unknown, and the epitome of VC inside-baseball.

This is a great example overall. The case bevels are proud, very strong still with brushing. The dial has a very light patina with no visible areas of damage or marks. It comes from a well-regarded Malaysian retailer.