Frederique Constant Unveils Classic Tourbillon Manufacture
Boasting a white gold case measuring just 39 mm, this limited-edition Classic Tourbillon Manufacture with aventurine dial—of which there are only 36—has already established itself as a high-flying mechanical marvel. Featuring Frederique Constant’s signature Heart Beat aperture at 6 o’clock, this watch is aimed at discerning collectors in search of a timeless timepiece whose dial, inspired by the celestial vault, is a reminder that horology is a “child of astronomy”. Poetic and technically advanced in equal measure, this creation is guaranteed to leave an indelible mark among the Genevan manufacturer’s most sought-after collections. The tourbillon is a rare complication. The Tourbillon Manufacture watch, designed entirely in-house at the heart of Geneva’s watchmaking district, is even rarer. What’s more, this limited edition—numbering just 36 pieces—is adorned with an aventurine dial. The new Classic Tourbillon Manufacture aventurine is already a collector’s item in its own right. This is not just due to the precise and exquisite craftsmanship involved in making it, but to its remarkable Maison-signature movement too. Frederique Constant’s watchmakers offer traditional haute horlogerie creations finished to the highest Genevan standards. This exclusivity is immediately apparent to collectors. The self-winding FC-980-4 calibre features hand-bevelled chamfers, beading on the bridges, straight-grained flanks and a delicate mirror polish. In keeping with authentic, age-old haute horlogerie tradition, these high-level touches do not overshadow the modern flair of its high-precision movement. The FC-980-4 calibre features a silicon escapement. Symbolising performance and precision, this material protects the escapement from any running variations resulting from temperature changes or magnetisation from speakers, computers, fasteners or phones, which can harm movements sensitive to even the smallest magnetic fields. Testament to its exceptional performance, silicon also enables unparalleled manufacturing precision and flawless surfaces. Worthy of its exceptional mechanics are the exterior features. A single-piece aventurine dial adorns this Classic Tourbillon Manufacture watch. Thanks to the 100% hand-crafted process involved, no two dials are exactly alike, making each piece even more unique. The large cut-out at 6 o’clock reveals the precious escapement, whose bridge features the model’s limited series number engraved in gold letters. This is the famous Heart Beat opening, which has been one of the Frederique Constant manufacturer’s signature aesthetic details for 30 years. The seconds hand revolves within the tourbillon. The hands marking the hours and minutes move in the middle of the dial. These are hand-polished like each of the markers they glide over. Measuring just 39 mm in diameter, this exceptional timepiece is worn on a leather strap. About Frederique Constant LIVE YOUR PASSION! Founded in 1988, Frederique Constant is a Swiss watchmaking manufacturer based in Geneva. Having celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2023, the brand continues to showcase its ever-advancing watchmaking expertise as it pursues its aim: providing Swiss Made luxury watches at accessible prices. Through the decades, Frederique Constant has been characterised by creativity and inventiveness – and even more so by mechanical ingenuity and pragmatism. Born out of the shared passion of an independent entrepreneurial couple, Aletta and Peter Stas, Frederique Constant has written its own rules, blazing a trail into territory where none had dared venture before. Today the brand proudly offers a range of quartz and mechanical models – and most importantly, a collection of 33 calibres designed, developed, and assembled in its own Manufacture at Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva. These movements include Tourbillon, Perpetual Calendar, Flyback Chronograph, Worldtimer, Power Reserve and Big Date complications as well as the Monolithic escapement, made from a single piece of silicon and beating at a rate of 40Hz. Frederique Constant presently has close to 3,000 points of sale in 120 countries. To pursue its international expansion and develop new synergies, the Frederique Constant Group (Frederique Constant, Alpina Watches, Ateliers deMonaco) joined the Japanese group Citizen since 2016.
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