A Closer Look at the Vacheron Constantin Fiftysix Line

One of the oldest Swiss watch manufacturers is Vacheron Constantin. The company was established in 1755 and has been creating some of the most gorgeous watches in the world ever since. Their motto, in fact, is “do better if possible and that is always possible”. Thus, they have appealed to many collectors of fine luxury watches – including such famous owners as Edward VIII, Harry Truman, Napolean Bonaparte, and even Pope Pius XI.

The most recent line that has been announced by the eminent atelier is the Vacheron Constantin Fiftysix line. Contemporary and cosmopolitan, these watches will offer something to any collector. There are three models in the Fiftysix line – the Complete Calendar, the Day-Date, and the Self-Winding. Each will come in the buyer’s choice of either stainless steel or 18k pink gold. Read on to learn more about each individual model.

Fiftysix Complete Calendar – $35,800

The Fiftysix Complete Calendar is a gorgeous timepiece. It features trademark Vacheron Constantin stylings and boasts a very unique mechanism. When you look at the watch, you will first see that it has large, easy to read numbers and hands that contrast well with the dial.

However, there is also a ring of numbers from 1 to 31 that goes around the outside of the watch. They are the same blue color as the hand that you read them with and represent the current date. This is a pretty neat feature that you don’t see too often in the luxury watch realm. It also has two more indicators, representing the day of the week and the month directly beneath the number 12 on the watch face.

The Complete Calendar also boasts a highly-accurate moon phase indicator. Each of these timepieces will come with a dark leather strap and an Ardillon buckle as well. Overall, the Complete Calendar is a great choice for a collector who wants something that stands out with its unique mechanism and elegant stylings.

Fiftysix Day-Date – $32,500

This watch is another interesting offering from Vacheron Constantin in their new line. The Fiftysix Day-Date features a similar style to the Complete Calendar and makes use of the same numbering system (numbers switching off with ‘bars’). It is also easy to read and will tell the time accurately down to the second.

On the face of the watch, there are three indicators besides the one to indicate the time. In the 9 o’clock position, there is a day of the week indicator that goes from Sunday to Saturday. Opposite this dial is another indicator that represents the numerical day of the month (from 1 to 31). The watch also includes a power reserve indicator.

The Fiftysix Day-Date looks like a good watch for someone who likes a few extra features. It boasts moderate water-resistant properties as well as a 40-hour power reserve. It is also available (like the Complete Calendar) with a dark leather strap and an Ardillon-style buckle.

Fiftysix Self-Winding – $19,400

The simplest offering in the new Fiftysix line from Vacheron Constantin is the Fiftysix Self-Winding. It has similar elegant looks as the other timepieces in this line. However, the sleek metal dial is uncluttered due to the watch’s lack of extra complications.

There is only one indicator on the Self-Winding that is not related to the time. Located at the 3 o’clock position, the small readout tells the user which numerical day it is. This lack of extra features allows the wearer to enjoy the subdued styling of a Vacheron Constantin watch without being distracted by a lot of information.

Overall, the Fiftysix Self-Winding is a good choice for a collector who prefers an understated watch and doesn’t care about features. It is also great for those who are on a budget, as it comes in at a price that is around $10,000 less than the other two models. Despite the lack of features, nothing has been sacrificed as far as quality goes on this watch.

The Verdict

The new line from Vacheron Constantin provides a watch for every collector. Each will boast the highest-quality construction and best accuracy that you can get in the price range. The popularity of Vacheron Constantin watches is no fluke – they truly do create some of the best timepieces that come out of Switzerland. Plus, each of the watches in the new line has been granted a Hallmark of Geneva – a prestigious seal granted only to the best timepieces to come out of the country. Therefore, a Vacheron Constantin Fiftysix watch could be a great addition to anyone’s collection and will be an investment that will only grow with time.