The Vacheron Constantin Overseas Automatic is an iconic timepiece design, although highly underrated design by Jörg Hysek. The Overseas Automatic is a 1970s design stainless steel sports watch that incorporates an integrated bracelet. Vacheron Constantin is the oldest of the holy trinity of watchmakers founded in 1755 along with Audermars Piguet in 1875 and Patek Philippe in 1839. Yet until recently Vacheron Constantin is considered the poor cousin of the holy trinity of watchmaking.

The Overseas Automatic was released in 1977, the reference 222 Overseas Automatic featured a 37 mm tonneau-shaped case with saw blade bezel. The reference 42040 remained at 37 mm and still featured a tonneau-shaped case, integrated bracelet and now integrated the Maltese cross fluted bezel. The reference 42050 had a 35 mm case with the references 42041 and 42051 receiving calibre upgrades.

The steel sports watch style was inspired by Gérald Genta with the Royal Oak in 1972 and the Nautilus in 1976. Vacheron Constantin, the oldest of the holy trinity of watchmakers turned to Jörg Hysek famous for the Breguet Marine, Tiffany & Co Streamerica and TAG Heuer Kirium. Hysek built a reputation based on the Vacheron Constantin 222, but was really instrumental in more than dozens of designs.

For a very long time, the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Automatic was the forgotten steel sports watch from the holy trinity of watchmakers. Now just about every major watchmaker has an integrated bracelet stainless steel sports watch. I can’t say I really like the Reference 222, the current models are more my tastes. Whilst the watch collecting community went silly for the Royal Oak, I never understood why. Gérald then repeated his success with the Nautilus ensuring Patek Philippe remained at the top of the watchmakers pedigree. The Overseas Automatic was really the forgotten steel sports watch until the demand from the unattainable Nautilus and Royal Oak pushed prices up. and the Overseas Automatic suddenly became attainable again.