Vacheron Constantin Fiftysix day-date Petrol Blue dial – A MR PORTER exclusive
The Vacheron Constantin Fiftysix day-date Petrol Blue dial is a 30-piece limited and numbered edition made exclusively for MR PORTER. The watch is endowed with a prepossessing dial, housed in a very wearable 40mm steel case and features a Manufacture movement. Moreover, it bears the prestigious Poinçon de Genève on its case and movement.
At SIHH 2018, I remember being somewhat surprised to see the Maison release the Fiftysix collection. This portfolio of models provided a comparatively affordable route to Vacheron Constantin ownership. I recall overhearing some critical voices, but the fact remains, the dials on each of these watches were adorned with the highly desirable Maltese cross. Moreover, with the exception of the entry-level Fiftysix self-winding, all models bear the Poinçon de Genève, delivering independent confirmation the watches have been made to the highest order.
The Fiftysix self-winding was inspired by the 1956 model, the reference 6073. However, while the Manufacture took inspiration from this watch, it created other versions of the Fiftysix, including a complete calendar and a day-date model. Later in 2018, the Maison also released the Fiftysix Tourbillon. These first models featured two-tone silvery-grey sector dials.
In 2019, two additional versions of the Fiftysix were launched, both with petrol blue dials. One was the aforementioned Fiftysix self-winding, the other was the Fiftysix complete calendar. Notably, the day-date model did not receive the new blue complexion, that is, until now.
The Vacheron Constantin Fiftysix day-date Petrol Blue dial is a 30-piece limited and numbered edition, produced exclusively for online retailer, MR PORTER. The watch is paired with a brown calfskin leather strap, tastefully enlivened with beige stitching. This subtle detail imbues the watch with a slightly casual appearance. The strap has a stainless steel folding clasp. As I mentioned earlier, the model bears the prestigious Hallmark of Geneva (Poinçon de Genève) on its case and movement.
The brand’s press release (December 2018)
In 2018, Vacheron Constantin embarked on a partnership with London’s legendary Abbey Road Studios bringing together their shared values of Excellence and Craftmanship. The iconic Studio Two was chosen as the setting in which to unveil the Fiftysix collection, which has since been interpreted in several variations inspired by the Maison’s first water-resistant self-winding watch created in 1956. Its distinctive features: lugs shaped like a section of Vacheron Constantin’s Maltese cross symbol; a box-type sapphire crystal; a classic case measuring 40 mm in diameter; and a sophisticated sector-type dial.
In 2020, Vacheron Constantin is expanding the Fiftysix collection with a new interpretation, for which the stage has once again been set at Abbey Road Studios to mark its exclusive launch on the MR PORTER platform.
Petrol blue and sepia brown calfskin
Issued in a 30-piece numbered limited edition, the Fiftysix day-date watch is the epitome of casual elegance. Radiating a resolutely urban spirit, its stainless steel case – with a 40 mm diameter ensuring a perfect fit on any wrist – frames a petrol blue dial. In addition to its deep colour specifically developed for the collection, the sector-type dial is distinguished by the richness of its details. Three different finishes – opaline, sunburst and snailed, from the centre to the rim – ensure an extremely legible watch face accentuated by elegant light effects. Arabic numerals, hour-markers and gold hour-minute hands punctuate the dial of this timepiece, whose personality is enhanced by a matt-textured sepia brown calfskin strap with stainless steel folding clasp.
Beneath the case beats self-winding Calibre 2475 SC/2, equipped with a stop-seconds device and driving indications of the day of the week at 9 o’clock, the date at 3 o’clock as well as the 40-hour power reserve at 6 o’clock. Through the caseback, a few subtle details further enhance the elegance of the watch thanks to the openworked 22-carat gold oscillating weight whose design is inspired by the shape of the Maltese cross, and affords a chance to admire the Côtes de Genève pattern adorning the mainplate. This weight also benefits from a rotation system equipped with ceramic ballbearings, thereby dispensing with any need for lubrication and guaranteeing the movement’s longevity.
Summary
Launched in 2018 at Abbey Road Studios, the Fiftysix collection welcomes a new 30-piece numbered limited edition available exclusively on MR PORTER. A model imbued with a resolutely urban spirit and stylishly featuring a 40 mm stainless steel case, a petrol blue dial and a sepia brown calfskin strap. Behind the scenes, accuracy is the order of the day thanks to the 2475 SC/2 self-winding calibre driving day of the week, date and 40-hour power reserve indications.
Price: £15,900 (RRP as at 17.12.2020)
Further reading
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