Vacheron Constantin Fiftysix: The 1956 Reference Revived

The Fiftysix is Vacheron Constantin's most accessible contemporary collection and its most direct entry point for buyers coming to the brand for the first time. It is also the collection with the clearest single historical reference: reference 6073 of 1956 , a round-case automatic watch with a distinctive integrated crown and a Maltese cross motif worked into the case architecture.

The collection launched at SIHH 2018 — the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie, Geneva's primary watch fair. Its positioning within the VC catalogue is deliberate: below the Patrimony and Traditionnelle in complication and price, available in steel as well as precious metals, and explicitly intended to bring new buyers into the brand.

The Reference 6073 of 1956

The original reference 6073 was produced in 1956. Its key design features:

• Round case with an architectural relationship between the case middle and the crown
• Maltese cross — VC's emblem since approximately 1880 — worked into the crown motif and the overall visual language of the watch
• Automatic movement , at a time when automatic winding was still a relatively recent development for dress watches
• Integrated crown design — the crown was visually connected to the case architecture rather than simply inserted at 3 o'clock as an afterthought

The 6073 is not among the most famous or rarest historical VC references — it did not have the extraordinary production scarcity of the Cornes de Vache or the formal eccentricity of the American 1921. What it had was a clearly legible, coherent design that could be directly translated into a contemporary collection without requiring collectors to understand obscure historical context.

Fiftysix — Launch and Design (SIHH 2018)

The Fiftysix launched at SIHH January 2018 in four initial references:

• Time-only (automatic)
• Complete calendar
• Day-date
• Tourbillon

The name "Fiftysix" directly references the year of the original: 1956.

Case: 40mm , round, with the Maltese cross integrated into the crown. The case profile is more relaxed than the Patrimony or Traditionnelle — rounder shoulders, a slightly sportier overall impression without departing from dress watch territory. Available in stainless steel (a meaningful departure for VC, which has traditionally emphasised precious metal production), pink gold, and platinum.

The steel availability was notable. At the time of the Fiftysix launch, the Overseas was VC's primary steel offering. The Fiftysix brought a steel dress watch option — positioning it as genuinely accessible by Holy Trinity standards, where "accessible" still means substantial investment but does not require a precious metal commitment.

Calibre 1326 — The Time-Only Foundation

The base Fiftysix (time-only) is powered by Calibre 1326 — an automatic manufacture movement with a date display.

Calibre 1326 specifications:
- Diameter: 28mm
- Thickness: 3.6mm
- Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
- Power reserve: 40 hours
- Jewels: 27
- Winding: Automatic, peripheral rotor visible through the caseback

The peripheral rotor — visible through the exhibition caseback — winds the movement from the outer edge rather than via a traditional central rotor. This design choice serves two functions: it keeps the dial free of the rotor's shadow (improving legibility) and allows a clearer view of the movement's architecture through the caseback.

Calibre 2475 — The Complete Calendar

The Fiftysix Complete Calendar uses Calibre 2475 — a manufacture automatic movement driving a triple calendar with moonphase (day, date, month, moonphase).

Calibre 2475 specifications:
- Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
- Power reserve: 40 hours
- Complication: Complete calendar (requires one manual correction at end of February each year)

The complete calendar in the Fiftysix brings the same triple-calendar-plus-moonphase complication available in the Traditionnelle(via Cal 2460 QCL/1) to the more accessible Fiftysix format — the same functional complication, different case design and price tier.

Calibre 2460 QCL — The Tourbillon Variant

The Fiftysix Tourbillon brings one of the most demanding single complications in watchmaking to the collection's 40mm steel case — an unusual combination of entry-level positioning and high complication capability.

The tourbillon variant uses the Calibre 2460 family with tourbillon complication. It carries the Hallmark of Geneva , as do all Fiftysix references — the certification applies to the complete cased watch under the expanded 2012 criteria.

The Maltese Cross in the Fiftysix

The Maltese cross — adopted as Vacheron Constantin's emblem in approximately 1880–1887 — appears throughout the Fiftysix's design:

• Crown: The crown carries a Maltese cross motif
• Case architecture: The lugs and crown tube relationship visually echoes the proportions of the cross
• Movement: The rotor (visible through the caseback) incorporates the cross

The Fiftysix makes the Maltese cross more prominent than most other VC collections. Where the Patrimony's cross appears only in the subtle applied indices at the cardinal positions, the Fiftysix wears it explicitly — the collection is designed to communicate VC identity at a glance, appropriate for a line intended to introduce new buyers to the brand.

Positioning Within the VC Catalogue

The Fiftysix occupies a specific market position:

The Fiftysix is not inexpensive by general standards — Holy Trinity manufacture quality at any tier represents a substantial purchase. But within the VC line, it is the collection where buyers begin, and its steel availability means that entry does not require a gold or platinum commitment.

For buyers who want the Vacheron experience — the Hallmark of Geneva certification, the manufacture movement, the 270-year heritage — without the full Patrimony or Traditionnelle investment, the Fiftysix is the designed answer.

Collector Position

Fiftysix references trade close to retail in the pre-owned market — the collection is recent (2018 launch), production is ongoing, and there are no scarcity dynamics that would drive premiums. For buyers who want a Hallmark of Geneva certified VC in steel at or near retail, the Fiftysix is the most accessible route in the current catalogue.

The tourbillon variant commands higher prices reflecting its complication level, but trades below comparable Traditionnelle tourbillon references due to the Fiftysix's positioning as the accessible tier.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Vacheron Constantin Fiftysix?
VC's most accessible contemporary collection, launched at SIHH 2018. The name references the year 1956 and the original reference 6073. Available in 40mm in steel and precious metals, with automatic manufacture movements, Hallmark of Geneva certification, and Maltese cross integrated into the case and crown design.

What is the reference 6073?
The 1956 Vacheron Constantin reference that directly inspired the Fiftysix collection — a round-case automatic dress watch with a distinctive integrated crown incorporating the Maltese cross motif.

What movement does the Fiftysix use?
The time-only Fiftysix uses Calibre 1326 — a 28mm, 3.6mm thick, 28,800 vph automatic with peripheral rotor and 40-hour power reserve. The complete calendar uses Calibre 2475. Both carry the Hallmark of Geneva.

Is the Fiftysix available in steel?
Yes — the Fiftysix is one of VC's primary steel options alongside the Overseas. The steel availability was a deliberate design decision to make the collection broadly accessible within the Holy Trinity tier.

When did the Fiftysix launch?
SIHH January 2018, in four initial references: time-only, complete calendar, day-date, and tourbillon.

Related Articles

• Vacheron Constantin: The Oldest Watchmaker in Continuous Operation
• Vacheron Constantin Patrimony: Ultra-Thin Dress Watches
• Vacheron Constantin Overseas: The Luxury Sports Watch
• Vacheron Constantin Historiques: The American 1921 and Cornes de Vache
• Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle: Classical Complications