Category Archives: Frederique Constantin

frederique constant classics automatic 24h collection

CLASSICS AUTOMATIC 24H

A DIFFERENT LOOK AT TIME

The Geneva-based watchmakers have released two new models in their Classics collection featuring a 24-hour display to give a new look to time

On a watch dial, the time is traditionally shown over 12 hours with the help of hands moving around a series of hour markers or figures. But with this system, you cannot tell day from night, unless you look out the window, which is impossible if you are a diver in the ocean’s depths or an astronaut travelling through space. For these atypical customers, but also for anyone wishing to take a different look at time, Frédérique Constant has designed a new model named the Classics Automatic 24H and available in two different versions.

frederique constant classics automatic 24h collectionThe watches are in a very attractive price segment, since they cost less than 1,000 Swiss francs. As their name suggests, they come with a 24-hour display. In the centre of the silver grey or anthracite dial with a Clou de Paris pattern, a satin ring displays the said function in black or white Arabic figures. “Regular” time, covering 12 hours, as well as the minutes, are shown by a couple of silver and luminous dauphine-style hands. There is also a central hand for the seconds.

The 43mm-wide steel case is water-resistant down to 100m and houses the calibre FC-332. This self-winding movement runs at the standard frequency of 4Hz and provides a power reserve of 38 hours.

A dark grey crocodile-style strap rounds off the timeless and elegant spirit of the Classics Automatic 24H watch.

Price: 995 CHF

By Sharmila Bertin

frederique constant tourbillon qp set box

PERPETUAL CALENDAR TOURBILLON MANUFACTURE

THE TOURBILLON WITHIN REACH

To celebrate the Geneva-based brand’s 30th anniversary with panache, Frédérique Constant have released an automatic tourbillon with a perpetual calendar. We take a look at four new models embodying the spirit of affordable luxury.

In three decades, the Geneva-based brand Frédérique Constant has slowly but surely traced out its route, forging an excellent reputation in the world of watchmaking. Widely acclaimed for its high-quality watches at affordable prices, the brand attracted attention in 2004 with its first in-house calibre, the famous Heart Beat, designed in its workshops in Plan-les-Ouates, in the canton of Geneva. In 2008, the firm went on to unveil its first in-house tourbillon. And now, to celebrate its 30th anniversary, the company has launched four new models, including a pink gold version in just 30 pieces, and all equipped with an automatic tourbillon and a perpetual date. It is simply named the Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon Manufacture.

frederique constant tourbillon qp set boxAlong with the types and colours of metal, Frédérique Constant has provided two different faces to its Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon Manufacture. Two of the four versions have a silvered dial with the centre decorated in a Clous de Paris pattern and the three calendar sub-dials in blue. The hour rim features Roman numerals with black transfers, while a pair of leaf-shaped hands, also coloured black, move above them. On the two other versions, the layout is the same, but the dial is open-worked to reveal the grained base plate. The opening where the tourbillon is displayed has been slightly enlarged on the skeletoned dials. But you need eyes like a hawk to notice this particular detail!

Price: 14,495 CHF (steel) – 19,995 CHF (pink gold-plated steel) – 20,995 CHF (steel, skeletoned dial) – 29,995 CHF (pink gold, skeletoned dial)

By Sharmila Bertin

frederique constant classic carre automatic closeup

FRÉDÉRIQUE CONSTANT – CLASSIC CARRÉ AUTOMATIQUE

SQUARING THE CIRCLE

Frédérique Constant offers an alternative to round watches with a chic, classic model driven by a fine mechanism that can be seen through an opening in the dial.

Not everything goes round in circles in the world of watchmaking! In the 20th century, the Roaring Twenties were an era when culture and art gained a new impetus. At a period that fostered creation, rectangular wrist watches made their first appearance. Dandies and elegant ladies wore them as indispensable accessories matching their outfits. Even today, these watch cases are known for their naturally refined aesthetic appearance. The silhouette of the new Classic Carré Automatique by Frédérique Constant is a perfect example. With its discreet size (30.4mm x 33.3mm), the timepiece is very easy to wear on the delicate feminine wrist. The dial, with its silver tone, catches the eye through a classic layout of the time features. The black Breguet-style hour and minute hands move across a guilloché pattern and point towards stylised Roman numerals. The second hand is placed in the centre. The watch has no date counter, but an opening at 12 o’clock unveils the beating heart of an automatic mechanical movement.

frederique constant classic carre automatic closeup

The calibre FC-310 driving this Frédérique Constant watch provides it with 38 hours of power reserve. Turning over the steel or polished rose gold-plated steel case, depending on the version, you will see some of the components enhanced by a spiral decor through the crystal caseback.

The Classic Carré Automatique comes with a black or brown strap to highlight its totally retro personality.

Price: €1,295 (steel) – €1,495 (rose gold-plated steel) frederiqueconstant.com

By Dan Diaconu

frederique constant slimline moonphase manufacture closeup

FRÉDÉRIQUE CONSTANT – SLIMLINE MOONPHASE MANUFACTURE

OVER THE MOON

Frédérique Constant has transformed its Slimline Moonphase. The model has a bigger personality now that the moon phase and date displays have been separated!

If you like the Manufacture Slimline Moonphase then you’re going to love the Slimline Moonphase Manufacture! Frédérique Constant hasn’t just swapped the words round and called it a new watch. On the first model, the moon phase and date were together in the same disc at 6 but both features have their own symmetrical displays on the new one. The Slimline collection may be all about classic chic but additional functions aren’t going to tarnish its watches’ smart personality. Despite its compact 38.8mm case, the layout of the dial couldn’t be more spacious and the time displays are in keeping with each other. The slim hour and minute hands and streamlined markers enhance the sense of flawless style.

frederique constant slimline moonphase manufacture closeup

The watch is fuelled by the self-winding FC-702 movement (42-hour power reserve). The calibre brings to life the actual position of the moon in real-time in a star-spangled display. The counter with Arabic numerals on the rim has a pointer to track the date. The crown controls all the functions on the watch.

There are different versions available to suit a range of tastes. One has a silver or black dial with a rose gold-plated case. The other pairs a silvery dial with a steel case. The Slimline Moonphase Manufacture comes with a black or brown alligator strap (subject to model) that only enhances the sense of classic chic.

Price: €2,895 (steel) – €2,995 (rose gold-plated steel) frederiqueconstant.com

By Dan Diaconu

frederique constant slimline moonphase stars manufacture closeup

FREDERIQUE CONSTANT – SLIMLINE MOONPHASE STARS MANUFACTURE

HEAD IN THE STARS

A wealth of celestial stardust has enriched the Slimline collection by Frédérique Constant, which has just unveiled its new Slimline Moonphase Stars Manufacture. Quite simply brilliant!

Long before we had watches on our wrists or iPhones in our hands, mankind used the stars to guide them, as well as the sun to know the time of day. The sky was a precious guide, and Frédérique Constant decided to pay homage to this impressive galaxy by including it in one of their timepieces for women. So the Slimline Moonphase Stars Manufacture arrived on earth, entirely designed in the company’s workshops in Geneva.

frederique constant slimline moonphase stars manufacture closeup

Eight diamonds encircle the dial, together with four indices, with finely honed hands moving through a shower of stars with silver or rose gold tones, and which make it easy to read the hours and minutes. The finest complication that needs to be highlighted for this timepiece is at 12 o’clock: the moonphase. The Slimline Moonphase Stars Manufacture contains the new in-house automatic movement FC-701, which is adorned with a pearl finish and a Côtes de Genève (“Geneva stripes”) pattern. Running at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations an hour, it has a power reserve of 42 hours. Thanks to the transparent case back, the movement can be seen at work.

The Slimline Moonphase Stars Manufacture comes in steel or gold-plated steel versions and has a 38.8-mm case – neither too big, not too small for a feminine wrist. Decorated with 60 diamonds on the bezel, with a total of 0.5 carats, the watch is available with a deep black dial and stars printed in rose gold or – for lovers of the night – a midnight blue dial with stars printed in silver. Frédérique Constant has brought a galactic journey within easy reach.

Price: from CHF4,595 frederiqueconstant.com

By Isabelle Guignet

frederique constant qp only watch 2017 caseback

FREDERIQUE CONSTANT – MANUFACTURE QUANTIEME PERPETUEL ONLY WATCH 2017

A SACRED STONE SENT FROM SPACE

Like countless watchmakers, Frédérique Constant is supporting Only Watch on its quest to overcome muscular dystrophy with a unique timepiece that will be auctioned off in Geneva on November 11th.

Taking part in the Only Watch auction (held every 2 years to raise funds to combat Duchenne muscular dystrophy) has become a natural reflex for most watch brands. One of the fifty-odd unique pieces up for auction on November 11th in Geneva is a model by Frédérique Constant: Manufacture Quantième Perpétuel Only Watch 2017.

frederique constant qp only watch 2017 caseback

The 42mm rose gold Manufacture Quantième Perpétuel Only Watch 2017 case houses the self-winding FC-775 calibre with a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz) and 38-hour power reserve.

Estimate unknown frederiqueconstant.com

By Sharmila Bertin

frederique constant classics automatic gmt closeup

FREDERIQUE CONSTANT – CLASSICS AUTOMATIC GMT

TRAVELLING LIGHT

On the eve of the summer holidays, Frédérique Constant offers fans of watches with an impeccable finish and affordable prices a timepiece with a second time zone, guaranteeing travel with peace of mind.

You come from Geneva, you fly to Hong Kong, you work in Los Angeles… Today, the planet has become, so to speak, “smaller” than before. The development of civil and commercial aviation during the 20th century led to a considerable reduction in distances, so that mankind could (again) become a nomad and travel easily from time zone to time zone. For people hurrying from one plane to the next or who work with a range of distant countries, Frédérique Constant has designed a watch with a classic look and a GMT function that is both easy to read and to use: the Classics Automatic GMT.frederique constant classics automatic gmt closeup

This new watch makes its appearance along with summer and is available in two versions. The Classics Automatic GMT comes with a 42mm-wide steel case or a pink gold-plated steel case. The case back with a glass window reveals part of the mechanism of the calibre FC-350 driving this duo of watches and providing a power reserve of 38 hours. The self-winding movement powers the time display (local and home time), the minutes and seconds – at the centre of the dial – as well as the date.

Since this is the Classics collection, the watch face with silvery tints on this new piece features three levels, adding a certain visual dynamism to a dial with a classic look. The central dial with a Clous de Paris pattern is encircled by a ring with a 24-hour scale in black Arabic numerals. The scale features a hand with a red and white arrow showing the second time zone. A wide sunburst strip features a discreet minute track near the chapter ring and includes an hour rim with Roman numerals, which are also black. Two central Breguet-style hands, with slim, moon-tipped bodies, display the hours and minutes, together with a second hand.

Price: 1,395 CHF (Steel) – 1,695 CHF (Gold plated) frederiqueconstant.com

By Sharmila Bertin

frederique constant vintage rally healey chronograph automatic closeup gold

FREDERIQUE CONSTANT – VINTAGE RALLY HEALEY CHRONOGRAPH AUTOMATIQUE

VINTAGE ENGLISH SPORTS CAR STYLE

The fruit of a partnership with Austin Healey, this chronograph takes us on a journey back in time, to a period when British cars blended sport and style.

The design of the Vintage Rally Healey Chronographe Automatique takes its inspiration from the world of classic motor car racing. So the chronograph sub-dials in bicompax position – “30 minutes“ at 3 o’clock and “seconds“ at 9 o’clock – recall the round headlights on a 1950s Austin Healey or the counters on the dashboard behind a beautiful wood steering wheel in the cars made by the British brand. The hour and minute hands move across a very simple silver dial with a guilloché finish at the centre. The shape of the monopushers evokes engine pistons. All the features on the dial of this watch made by Frédérique Constant are enhanced by the elegant 42-mm rose-gold case.

frederique constant vintage rally healey chronograph automatic closeup gold

The Vintage Rally Healey Chronographe Automatique comes with a racing-style brown leather strap with perforations recalling those on racing drivers’ leather gloves. A Healey logo at 6 o’clock is a reminder that this model belongs to the attractive Vintage Rally collection. The chronograph is presented in a gift box with a miniature 1/18 replica of an Austin Healey. And unlike the other versions on offer in the collection, this is not a limited edition!

Price: €2,990 frederiqueconstant.com

By Dan Diaconu

frederique constant pillar

Frederique Constant Sponsors New York City Premiere Of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales

New York, NY (May 24, 2017) – This week, Frederique Constant presented the New York City premiere of the highly anticipated 5th installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean film series, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.

The exclusive night commenced with appearances from the blockbuster’s leading cast: Orlando Bloom, Javier Bardem. Kaya Scodelario and Brenton Thwaits.

Frederique Constant continues its support of the Hollywood industry through key moment and initiatives as well as through the brand’s global charity ambassador and Oscar Award Winning actress, Gwyneth Paltrow. Sharing similar passions around the importance of philanthropy, Frederique Constant supports one of Paltrow’s favored organizations, DonorsChoose.org; a philanthropic organization that makes it easy for anyone to help a classroom in need, supplying the tools and experiences that children need for a great education.

frederique constant pillar

“We were pleased to present the Pirates of the Caribbean NYC premiere,” says Morgane Leynaud, “Frederique Constant Marketing Manager. “Frederique Constant has always shared a great appreciation for the movie industry and intends to continue touching key moments in entertainment.”

Special VIP guests included Patti Smith, Gina Gershon, Paul Haggis, Sarita Choudhury (Homeland), Kathleen Turner, Hill Harper (Homeland), Steve & Maureen Van Zandt, Linda Wells, Simon Kirke, Jon Kilik, Alexandra Agoston, Sante D’Orazio, Krystal Joy Brown, Jamie Cepero, Geoffrey Fletcher, Tabitha Simmons, Candy Pratts Price, Kiera Chaplin, RJ King, Clara McGregor, Eleanor Lambert, Dale Moss, Lorraine Schwartz, Jazmin Grimaldi, Ian Mellencamp, Louisa Warwick, Tara Westwood, and Timo Weiland

www.frederiqueconstant.com

frederique constant flyback chronograph manufacture closeup

FREDERIQUE CONSTANT – FLYBACK CHRONOGRAPH MANUFACTURE

UNINHIBITED COMPLICATION

A first for Frédérique Constant: the watchmaker from Plan-les-Ouates has unveiled its first automatic calibre, including a chronograph with flyback function.

In Plan-les-Ouates, in the canton of Geneva, the Frédérique Constant workshops have surpassed themselves in designing a movement equipped with one of the finest complications: a chronograph with flyback function. This specific and demanding mechanism took six years to develop, before finally seeing the light of day in 2017. First introduced at BaselWorld, four of the five model in the new Flyback Chronograph Manufacture collection are available for under 4 000 Swiss francs.

This newly launched line does indeed feature five pieces, two made of polished steel, two made of pink-gold-plated steel and one made of pink gold. The dials have also been designed to attract a wide-ranging clientele with a fairly traditional aesthetic appearance or a totally contemporary look.

frederique constant flyback chronograph manufacture closeup

At the heart of the 42mm case of the Flyback Chronograph Manufacture model is the latest movement made by Frédérique Constant. This is the calibre FC-760, an automatic mechanism that is partially visible through a sapphire glass window adorning the back of the watch. The calibre drives the hour, calendar and chronograph with flyback functions, while providing a power reserve of 38 hours.

In the most traditional version, available in a steel or pink-gold-plated case and a silver opaline dial, the central disc is decorated with a Clous de Paris pattern and encircled by an hour rim with black Roman numerals. Two central pomme-style open hands display the hours and minutes, while the seconds are shown in an offset counter at 9 o’clock. The date is indicated by a hand and is also in a counter at 6 o’clock. At the centre, the chronograph hand takes care of the seconds, which are then counted up in the minute counter at 3 o’clock.

While the visual organisation is the same in the more contemporary version, the silvered or anthracite grey dial, with a chapter ring circled by a tachymetric scale, includes a sunburst finish adorned by three azure counters. Metallic or gold applied hour indices replace the Roman numerals and two lancine-style hands coated with a luminous material show the hours and minutes in the centre.

The third version of the Flyback Chronograph Manufacture features a pink gold case and a chocolate-coloured dial with a warm tone heightened by touches of gold (on the indices and hands).

Price: 3 695 CHF (steel) – 3 995 CHF (pink gold-plated steel) – 13’995 CHF (pink gold) frederiqueconstant.com

By Sharmila Bertin