The Vacheron Constantin FiftySix | family history
The FiftySix takes its name from the 1956 Reference 6073: a 37mm round-case automatic that is among the most-elegant mid-century Vacheron dress references. The 2018 FiftySix collection applies that proportional vocabulary to a 40mm automatic at a price tier below the Overseas. For collectors who want Vacheron's movement quality and case finishing in steel at an accessible (relative to the house) price, the FiftySix is the honest entry.
Vacheron Constantin’s 2018 entry-tier line, drawn from the 1956 Ref. 6073 in the brand’s archive. The 40mm steel reference (4600E/000A) opened Vacheron’s steel-case entry price band; the line carries the Maltese-cross-shaped indices and stepped lugs of the period piece on the cal. 1326 (JLC-base, Vacheron-finished).
1956 · The Reference 6073
The 1956 Vacheron Reference 6073 was a 37mm manual-wind reference in yellow gold with an integrated lugs case architecture, an applied gold chapter ring, and the Caliber 1003 (one of the thinnest automatic calibers of the era). The 6073 is a collector-grade vintage reference; original examples in yellow gold appear regularly at auction in the $20-50k range.
No references from this era in the catalog yet.
2018–present · The FiftySix collection
Vacheron launched the FiftySix in 2018 with three references: a time-only self-winding (Caliber 2460 SC), a day-date (Caliber 2460 DD7), and a complete calendar (Caliber 2460 QCL/1). The steel references price below the Overseas and represent Vacheron at its most-accessible modern price tier. The applied Maltese-cross indices and fluted crown carry the house DNA forward from the 6073.
No references from this era in the catalog yet.
How to read this family
Two honest questions for any FiftySix buyer:
- FiftySix or Patrimony for a Vacheron first watch? The Patrimony is a thinner, more formal watch; the FiftySix is 40mm and slightly more casual. Both carry Caliber 2460 variants. The FiftySix has a date complication and a slightly younger design vocabulary. For a first Vacheron that reads as a dress watch but wears across contexts, the FiftySix is the better daily-use argument.
- How does FiftySix pricing compare to Overseas? The FiftySix steel time-only is the most-affordable automatic Vacheron in current production. The Overseas steel carries a significant premium due to the integrated bracelet architecture and World Time complication availability. The FiftySix is the honest entry if Overseas allocation or pricing is a constraint.
Related families: Patrimony · Overseas
References in this family
Which ref to buy
The Fiftysix is VC's most accessible current collection -- named for 1956, when VC produced a round sport-dress watch for a younger market. The modern version has an integrated bracelet option and in-house caliber 5100. It is VC's entry point and the brand's answer to the AP Royal Oak and Patek Aquanaut at a lower price.
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Fiftysix Self-Winding -- accessible VC entry, integrated bracelet, in-house movement, the most approachable way into Vacheron.
- The case for it:
- The Fiftysix is genuinely well-made and carries the full Vacheron heritage. Caliber 5100 is an excellent in-house automatic. The integrated bracelet version competes on design with the Aquanaut and Royal Oak at a lower price. VC's Maltese cross finishing detail is present throughout.
- Consider instead if:
- At Fiftysix prices you are close to AP Royal Oak entry tier, which has stronger brand recognition and resale. Buyers with the budget to consider Fiftysix should seriously compare the two.
Rankings last reviewed 2026-06-07. Editorial perspective only. Not financial advice.