Vacheron Constantin Phidias Chronograph

Overall Condition: Honest condition throughout showing wear from age and use.

There are watches that make headlines, and there are others that should make headlines.

Here, we have a watch from the latter category. A Phidias Chronograph, this piece builds on the 222 foundation.

Released in 1977, the 222 was the quiet celebration of Vacheron Constantin’s 222nd anniversary. Its designer, Jorg Hysek, had moved to Geneva at a young age and quickly became enamored with watches. Hysek worked for Rolex for a number of years before creating his own design firm, and Vacheron Constantin was one of his very first clients.

The 222 was the progenitor to the Overseas Gen 1 which was introduced in 1996. But before the Overseas came the Phidias, one of the sleepers of the 80s. Released in 1989 the Phideas was Vacheron's next attempt at a successful integrated bracelet sports piece. Using the same bracelet link profile of the Gen 1 Overseas, the Phidias shown here is executed in yellow gold with chronograph complication.

The automatic winding piece is one of the forgotten designs of the era, with a round case shape transitioning straight into the bracelet, a three register chronograph display, date at 6 o'clock, and barrel pushers to control the automatic winding chronograph movement.

The 222 has recently gained lots of attention with its reissue in the Historiques collection. The Overseas is obviously the flagship from Vacheron, but the Phidias is the design you likely have never seen. With its own distinct personality and quirks, this piece is a beautiful and rare design from a Holy Trinity powerhouse. While not the cult appeal icon that the Overseas is, this piece deserves a serious look for its whimsical case and bracelet. A future classic? Maybe!