Frederique Constant Classic Tourbillon Manufacture automatic blue dial leather strap 39 mm

A limited edition of only 350 pieces

Created in 1988, the Frederique Constant watchmaking house celebrates its 35th anniversary in 2023. There will be many festive episodes this year, but the Manufacture was keen to open the first chapter with a creation that is emblematic of its journey: its Manufacture tourbillon. First presented in 2008, 15 years ago, its FC-980 movement has since become one of the House's flagship developments, and now powers the brand-new Classic Tourbillon Manufacture collection.

After the success of a first anniversary limited edition in rose gold unveiled at the Watches and Wonders Geneva watch show, Frederique Constant is now offering its collectors a new variation of its Tourbillon Manufacture, in a 39 mm steel case with a blue dial, in a contemporary spirit that nevertheless respects a classic design, very complementary to the first iteration in rose gold. This timepiece remains in a limited edition of 350 pieces, and magnify the watchmaking expertise of the Geneva-based manufacture thanks to its visible tourbillon at 6 o'clock.

An iconic watch

The Classic design embodies the guiding principle that Frederique Constant has always followed since its creation 35 years ago, without ever deviating from it! This new Classic Tourbillon Manufacture thus honors this watchmaking art in its every detail.

With this new iteration, Frederique Constant maintains the path of its original success, that of offering Swiss Made luxury watch creations at a fair price. Indeed, the Classic Tourbillon Manufacture in steel currently represents one of the finest offerings on the market in terms of watch complications expressed in a classic design. Offered in a 42mm diameter until now, all new Classic Manufacture models will now be articulated within a 39mm case, whose aesthetics have also been revisited to offer optimal wrist comfort thanks to modern and harmonious curves.

A hypnotic tourbillon

Designed in the late 18th century and patented in 1801, the tourbillon aims to compensate for the effects of gravity on the movement by shuffling the positions of its escapement through a multitude of positions to establish an ideal running average. The meticulous process then offers the timepiece improved running accuracy.

However, Frederique Constant did not simply reproduce this 220-year-old complication. The Manufacture enriched it with a silicon escapement wheel and anchor, and has done so for the past 15 years. This choice offers the owner a movement that is more resistant to the effects of magnetism as well as temperature variations, and therefore more precise, in keeping with the tourbillon's original vocation.

Furthermore, the latter ticks off the seconds thanks to a discreet hand that flies over its cage. Made up of 81 components, the latter is individually engraved with the serial number of each piece, also recalled on the back side, around the sapphire back that reveals the intimacy of this FC-980 caliber. And as always at Frederique Constant, the movement is finished according to the watchmaking tradition: beveling, beading, strapping, drawn flanks and mirror polish!

Sobriety and refinement

On the dial side, the purity is evident, with applied indexes and hand-polished spear hands! Both refined and elongated, they fly over a blue dial. The indexes and hands have been faceted with a diamond edge, a technique that ensures they are absolutely brilliant.

Finally, a final detail in terms of precision, the tourbillon is also flown over with a central seconds hand. The latter benefits at 6 o'clock from a generously sized, circled opening that offers an unobstructed and exhaustive view of the precious escapement!

The Classic Tourbillon Manufacture is offered on a matte blue leather strap accompanied by a folding clasp proudly displaying the Frederique Constant coat of arms, a special feature reserved for Manufacture creations!