Basketball player Chris Paul spotted wearing a Vacheron Constantin

Chris Paul, the Phoenix Suns veteran widely regarded as one of the NBA's most serious horological enthusiasts, was recently spotted wearing the Vacheron Constantin 222 in 18k yellow gold — a contemporary reissue of a model that helped define the integrated-bracelet sports watch category over five decades ago.

Originally launched in 1977 to celebrate Vacheron Constantin's 222nd anniversary, the 222 was conceived by designer Jörg Hysek as Geneva's own contribution to the luxury sports watch conversation ignited by Gérald Genta's Royal Oak in 1972. The reissue stays faithful to the archetype: a 37mm monobloc tonneau-shaped case — often referred to as 'Jumbo' in collector circles — crowned with a distinctive grooved bezel and flowing integrated bracelet that blurs the boundary between case and strap. The Maltese cross, Vacheron's centuries-old emblem, appears subtly engraved at 5 o'clock, a period-correct detail that rewards close inspection.

The open caseback is one of the reissue's strongest arguments. It exposes caliber 2455/2, an in-house automatic movement operating at 28,800 vph with a 40-hour power reserve, finished to the exacting standards expected of manufacture Vacheron — including Geneva Seal certification. In yellow gold, every anglage and côtes de Genève stripe catches the light with considerably more drama than the steel variant.

For collectors, the Vacheron Constantin 222 occupies a curious position: historically as significant as the Royal Oak or Nautilus, yet long overlooked by the broader market. The reissue, introduced in 2022, has corrected some of that neglect, drawing attention back to a watch that deserves its place in the integrated-bracelet canon. The yellow gold reference in particular carries an unapologetically retro sensibility that resonates with a generation rediscovering 1970s design language.

Paul's affinity for grand complications and haute horlogerie makes the 222 a coherent addition to a collection known for its depth and range. At an official retail price of $69,000, the 18k yellow gold Vacheron Constantin 222 sits at a premium over its steel sibling but remains rational relative to comparable integrated-bracelet references in precious metal from Patek or AP — a fact not lost on discerning buyers tracking the grey market closely.