Vacheron Constantin gives the Fiftysix steel cases and two‑tone grey dials

Vacheron Constantin has given its Fiftysix line two new steel models: the Fiftysix Self-Winding and the Fiftysix Complete Calendar. The collection first appeared in 2018 and takes its cue from the 1956 reference 6073. Both new watches have 40 mm stainless steel cases and a sector dial in two tones of grey, under a box-shaped sapphire crystal.

The bevelled lugs are brushed vertically with polished bevels, the case sides are brushed, and the bezel, crown and correctors are polished. Each watch comes on a grey nubuck leather strap with ecru stitching and a steel folding clasp. Water resistance is 30 m.

The Self-Winding has an opaline light grey centre that fades to a darker grey chapter ring, with a snailed light grey minutes track. Applied 18k white gold Arabic numerals and elongated rectangular indices sit on the chapter ring, and a date window is placed at 3 o’clock. The hour and minute hands and the indices are filled with blue Super-LumiNova. Inside is calibre 1326, developed by ValFleurier and finished by Vacheron Constantin, beating at 28,000 vph with 48 hours of power reserve. It is decorated with Côtes de Genève and carries an openworked 22k pink gold rotor shaped like a Maltese cross, visible through the sapphire caseback. The case is 9.6 mm thick and the price is CHF 12,600.

The Complete Calendar shows day, date and month, plus a precision moon phase. Day and month sit in two windows below 12, the moon phase aperture is at 6 o’clock, and a white gold arrow-tipped pointer reads the date. The dark grey gradient centre is framed by a black-and-white railway track, with a sunburst light grey chapter ring and a snailed dark grey date ring. It uses the self-winding calibre 2460 QCl/1, which has 308 parts, beats at 28,800 vph, offers 40 hours of power reserve and bears the Hallmark of Geneva. The case is 11.6 mm thick and the price is CHF 29,500.