Born in 1977 to celebrate 222 years of Vacheron Constantin, the original 222 was the Maison’s first true sports watch, arriving in the same year as disco fever and Star Wars. Reissued in steel for the brand’s 270th anniversary, it speaks to the collector who remembers the original on a 70s wrist and to the one who simply wants the coolest steel watch in the room. Think of it as a greatest hits album pressed on fresh vinyl.

Presents itself in brand new condition with no signs of wear. Set against a matte blue dial, slim 18K gold baton hands and markers catch the light without any glare, calm and cool like a Miles Davis record. Framed by a brushed steel bezel, a ring of notches casts tiny shadows that make the tonneau case look hand carved. Finished with a gold Maltese cross at 5 o’clock, the case wears the Maison’s emblem like a quiet medal of honor. Flowing straight out of the case, the integrated bracelet mixes brushed links with polished edges and closes with a triple folding clasp.

Functions include hours, minutes, and date. Found at 3 o’clock, the crown hand winds the in-house Calibre 2455/2, a Geneva Seal movement, in its first position, building about 40 hours of power reserve. Pulled out to the second position, the crown quickly sets the date, so set it to the day before today first. Pulled out all the way, the crown moves the hands, so turn them forward past midnight until the date clicks over, then set the correct time. Pushed back in, the crown keeps the case water resistant to 50 meters, while a sapphire caseback shows off a gold rotor engraved with the original 222 logo.

Comes as a complete set, double-boxed with warranty card, user manual, travel pouch, and blue leather strap with folding buckle.

Few watches can say they started a whole category, and even fewer can say they came back looking this good. Made for the collector who wants a piece of 1970s design history to wear every day, it is a sequel that actually lives up to the original, unlike most Hollywood remakes. Pieces like this rarely wait around, so now is a great time to start the conversation.