Vacheron Constantin Fiftysix

Retro design, rounded edges, and a historic predecessor – that is what characterizes the watches in the Vacheron Constantin Fiftysix collection. As its name suggests, the origin of the series' design dates back to the year 1956. The reference number 6073 served as the inspiration for the modern timepiece. The defining features of the watch from the 50s were its lugs, which were reminiscent of the Vacheron Constantin logo: the Maltese cross. The manufacturer's designers decided to put a modern twist on a historic design and gave the Fiftysix much rounder edges and lugs than the original vintage model.

Vacheron Constantin presented the Fiftysix at the 2018 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) in Geneva . The collection is made up of simple automatic watches with three hands and a date display, models with a day-date display, and complete calendar editions. Complete calendar models also include a moon phase display that will be accurate for 122 years. These watches are the true highlight of this collection. In terms of cases, you can choose between stainless steel and pink gold.

If you look at the dial more closely, you will immediately notice the alternating Arabic numerals and indices. Luminous material coats the hands and indices to guarantee great readability even in the dark. The dial also features two striking train track minute scales: one around the edge and another in the center. The central second hand is very thin and long, and the crown featuring the Maltese cross is partially integrated into the right side of the case.

The classic yet modern dress watches in the Fiftysix collection are some of Vacheron Constantin's most affordable timepieces. In stainless steel, the Fiftysix Self-Winding is listed at 11,900 USD. The pink gold version demands 19,900 USD. Both editions are powered by the automatic in-house caliber 1326 with a date display and a 48-hour power reserve.

The Day-Date model with day and date displays is a bit more expensive and costs 17,900 USD in stainless steel and 33,400 USD in pink gold. These models feature two subdials: one at 9 o'clock for the day and another at 3 o'clock for the date. There is also a power reserve indicator above 6 o'clock, which shows how much of the 40-hour power reserve the in-house caliber 2475 SC-2 has left.

The Fiftysix Complete Calendar is this collection's watchmaking highlight. It displays the date, day, month, and moon phase. The moon phase indicator sits at 6 o'clock, while the day and month are both indicated in their own windows at 12 o'clock. An additional central hand points to the date on a scale around the edge of the dial. Unlike an annual calendar, a complete calendar has to be manually corrected after any month with fewer than 31 days.

The in-house caliber 2460 QCL/1 powers the Fiftysix Complete Calendar and provides it with a 40-hour power reserve. The stainless steel edition has a list price of 23,500 USD, while the pink gold version is listed at 36,800 USD.