{"id":26301,"date":"2021-03-27T06:28:28","date_gmt":"2021-03-27T06:28:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.horbiter.com\/the-vacheron-constantin-fiftysix-collection-hands-on\/"},"modified":"2025-06-02T14:00:25","modified_gmt":"2025-06-02T12:00:25","slug":"vacheron-constantin-fiftysix-collection-watches-hands-on-horbiter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.horbiter.com\/en\/vacheron-constantin-fiftysix-collection-watches-hands-on-horbiter\/","title":{"rendered":"The Vacheron Constantin FiftySix collection hands-on"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/h2>\n

Among my passions and interests, after engineering and watches of course, there is cooking. I find it to be a deep form of culture, which can tell a lot about the history of a place, of\u00a0people, of a nation. Last 19th<\/sup> June<\/strong> the Osteria Francescana<\/strong><\/span> in Modena<\/strong> \u2013 run by the Italian chef Massimo Bottura<\/strong><\/span> \u2013 was nominated, for the second time, World<\/strong>\u2018s Best Restaurant<\/strong><\/span>, according to the \u201c50 Best<\/strong>\u201d ranking.<\/p>\n

\"vacheron-constantin-fiftysix-collection-1\"The cooking philosophy of this Modenese<\/strong> chef<\/strong> is based on the careful and meticulous study of tradition, but objectively observed in this case; the idea behind this concept involves trying to avoid experiencing that feeling of nostalgia that tends to bind us all to custom, while, instead, trying to take with us into the future only the best that custom has to offer. But what does all this even have to do with watches? I\u2019ll try and explain it in a minute.<\/p>\n

Bridging Tradition to Future<\/h2>\n

Among all the haute horlogerie brands, I believe that Vacheron Constantin<\/strong> is the closest to the idea that Bottura<\/strong> has of tradition and of the need to read it in a different manner. His idea is extremely current, multidisciplinary and should encourage everyone to analyse and understand how the influence of tradition in their very own field could help grow, innovate and improve.<\/p>\n

\"vacheron-constantin-fiftysix-collection\"Take a look at what the brand has for example done with masterpieces like the\u00a0Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Celestia Astronomical Grand Complication 3600<\/strong><\/span> or the\u00a0Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle\u00a0Perpetual Calendar\u00a0Squelette<\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n

Vacheron Constantin boasts an immense archive of styles and calibers<\/h2>\n

If we were to examine the different models and collections available in Vacheron Constantin<\/strong>\u2018s catalogue, it would be impossible not to notice how the critical approach of tradition has long been adopted by the Geneva<\/strong> brand. The Traditionelle<\/strong> collection, the Patrimony<\/strong> and, of course, the Historique<\/strong> have deep roots in the past and even contain perfect re-editions of models from 70 years ago (such as the Vacheron Constantin Historiques Triple Calendrier 1942 and 1948<\/strong><\/a>), but they nevertheless still show a certain degree of modernity that reflects in the use of current materials, new manufacturing techniques or in the modernization of shapes.<\/p>\n

\"vacheron-constantin-fiftysix-self-winding\"The more than 260 years of history<\/strong> of this brand undoubtedly provide a great deal of culture and tradition, from where designers can draw inspiration to create recognizable, iconic watches of high quality and rich in history. This year, however, Vacheron Constantin <\/strong>decided to go even further.<\/p>\n

With its new FiftySix<\/strong> collection the maison came up with an innovative line inspired by a 1956 watch<\/strong> that gives an impulse of modernity and opens up the doors of haute horlogerie to a larger number of enthusiasts by providing them with an \u201caffordable\u201d price \u2013at least based on the standard and the positioning of the brand.<\/p>\n

The starting point: the 6073 reference<\/h2>\n

The reference to which the FiftySix<\/strong> collection is inspired to is the 6073<\/strong>. It represents one of the first Vacheron Constantin<\/strong> watches to be equipped with an automatic movement (the 1019<\/strong>\/1<\/strong> calibre<\/strong> \u2013 a very reliable and precise calibre) and feature some characteristics that, today, we might consider as exclusive to the brand, such as the lugs shaped like the arms of the Maltese cross<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"vacheron-constantin-ref-6073-1956\" Already in the 50s this model was a good mix of tradition and spirit of innovation thanks to the fine balance between the classic dial and the geometry of the case; it is therefore the perfect starting point to develop the idea and the message behind the maison\u2019s vision of tradition.<\/p>\n

The arrival point; the FiftySix<\/h2>\n

The new Vacheron Constantin FiftySix<\/strong> is available in two versions, one in 5N gold<\/strong> and one in steel<\/strong>, but with three different complication combinations. In my opinion it is quite interesting to see what the links to tradition and the current history are so as to better understand the areas on which Vacheron Constantin<\/strong>\u2019s designers worked on. Let\u2019s take a look at the first points;<\/p>\n