A classic rebooted

The new Classic Moonphase Automatic captures Frédérique Constant’s love of classic and sophisticated watches. The Swiss brand has unveiled three models from its famous collection for the first time.

Frédérique Constant has introduced the latest pieces from one of its star collections, the Classic Moonphase Automatic. The painstaking detail, materials and technology used by Frédérique Constant give the timeless range the quality and classic style so dear to the brand’s fans. Frédérique Constant is true to its vision of making top quality and affordable watches.

The Classic Moonphase Automatic epitomises these values. 2016 is the first time that three models have been unveiled in a 40mm case: one in yellow gold-plated steel, one in stainless steel with a leather strap and one entirely in stainless steel. There’s something for everyone.

The self-winding FC-330 calibre in the new watches fuels the hours, minutes, seconds and date with hand on the silver dial adorned with Clous de Paris engraving, black Roman numerals and classic Breguet hands. The date appears in a counter and the moon phase lies in an elaborate display at 6. Flip the watch over to gaze at the decorated movement through the transparent back. The strap comes in black, brown or blue leather or steel.

Frédérique Constant is famous for being involved in every stage of the watchmaking process from initial design to final assembly and quality control. Since its foundation in 1988, Frédérique Constant has designed, made and assembled its calibres in-house and boasts a collection of 21 different movements created since 2004. Every watch is hand-assembled using modern equipment and goes through thorough checks to ensure the watches’ quality and longevity.

Price: 1,760 CHF (leather) – 1,890 CHF (steel) frederiqueconstant.com

By Inès Aloui

A 21^st CENTURY SOUL IN A 19^th CENTURY BODY.

Frédérique Constant has unveiled two new seriously classic pieces fuelled by a self-winding movement.

Notched case, grooved ball crown, engine-turned dial, black Roman numerals, “vintage” hands: the Plan-les-Ouates brand whisks us back in time with two new Classics Automatic Heart Beat models inspired by early 19^th century design. Two key features snap us back into the present: the so-called “Heart Beat” display on the dial that often appears in Frédérique Constant watch collections and the cutting-edge movement you can glimpse through the back of both pieces.

The brand founded in 2004 has made the “Heart Beat” its trademark, a visual signature that enables the watch’s owner to gaze at the escapement’s endless performance like a beating heart. The Plan-les-Ouates watchmaker also designs and makes its own movements such as the self-winding FC-312 calibre fuelling the Classics Automatic Heart Beat’s functions and 40-hour power reserve.

The 39mm case comes in steel or yellow gold-plated steel; you can see the movement fuelling the hands on the dial through the sapphire caseback. The shimmering silver dial has three different engine-turned designs. The hour rim near the chapter ring has a circular pattern whilst a pleated sunburst design radiates from the centre. The instantly recognisable pyramid-shape Clous de Paris pattern sits comfortably between both. Two black Breguet hands with openwork “pomme” tips track the hours and minutes in the centre of the dial. The gold-bevelled “Heart Beat” takes pride of place at 12.

Price: 1860 CHF (steel) – 2110 CHF (yellow gold-plated steel) / frederiqueconstant.com

By Sharmila Bertin

Introducing the Frédérique Constant Runabout

A Runabout is a motorboat which was first made in the 1920s. It’s also the name of a watch collection by Frédérique Constant which was born of a 2009 partnership with the Riva Historical Society to protect Riva boats. This year, two new limited edition Runabouts (2888 of each available) have sealed their bond.

The self-winding FC-303 calibre fuels the hours, minutes, seconds, date and 38-hour power reserve. The 43mm case comes in steel or rose gold-plated steel.

The dial comes in two colours: chocolate to warm up the rose gold model and stylish silver to match the steel model. A central engine-turned disc bears the spear-shape hands and central seconds hand in bronze or gunmetal gliding over the luminescent Arabic numerals and hour markers.

Price: 1350 CHF (steel) – 1650 CHF (rose gold-plated steel) frederiqueconstant.com

By Sharmila Bertin

Introducing the Frédérique Constant Slimline Automatic

What is the true meaning of luxury nowadays, that common, clichéd and over-used word? Endless topic indeed. Luxury has become a return to one’s roots, a refocusing on basics and a moment to share with loved ones; it is not a tawdry and over-priced thing anymore. Luxury, time and space are a way of life, and that contemporary statement suits perfectly the Genevan brand Frédérique Constant and its watches. One just needs to wear one of the new models of the Slimline Automatic collection to embrace this state of mind.

The white watch dial is adorned with an slender roman numerals hour display flown over by two dark spear-shaped hands. An opened and framed window at 3 presents the date in black on white background.

Price: 1,650 CHF (steel) – 1,850 CHF (red gold plated steel) frederiqueconstant.com

By Sharmila Bertin

Austin-Healey sports cars were the jewel in Britain’s automobile crown in the 50s. Their road performance and curves in all the right places cemented their reputation. These very elements, – technique and beauty – are what inspired Frédérique Constant. In tribute to the legendary car brand, the watchmaker has designed a special model: Healey GMT 24h in three versions each limited to 2,888 pieces. The 42mm PVD rose gold or steel case houses an automatic GMT calibre with date which brings to life the 38-hour power reserve, hour, minute, central seconds and date functions (3 o’ clock on the chocolate or silver dial) and 24 hour GMT (set using the crown). The case back is engraved with a Healey (the NOJ393 model) and a display showcasing part of the movement whilst the car brand’s logo appears at 6 o’ clock on the dial. Price: 2,350 CHF (rose gold plated) – 1,895 CHF (steel)

Frédérique Constant has been working on making luxury affordable since 1992 when the brand unveiled their first watch collection. 22 years on and the successful mission is still going strong, namely with the new Slimline Moonphase Manufacture model. The case is available in two colours, silver and navy, and features a moon phase and date display in the lower half at 6 o’ clock. Slim nickel hour and minute hands in the centre glide over twelve applied nickel indices (including a double). All these functions are controlled using the single crown at 3 o’ clock on the side of the steel case and are powered by a self-winding movement made by Frédérique Constant. It has a 42-hour power reserve. The strap with seven rows of steel links adds an extra touch of sophistication to the piece. Price: 3,190 CHF