Frédérique Constant x seconde/seconde/ Slimline Moonphase Date Manufacture automatic white dial leather strap 42 mm

Who is Romanic André aka seconde/seconde/?

Romaric André, better known to the general public by his artist name seconde/seconde/, is a unique character somewhere between commentator, comedian, pirate watchmaker and guerrilla artist. In just a few short years, seconde/seconde/ has established itself as a force to be reckoned with in the hearts of many watch collectors. From the simple approval of vintage watches with colorful components, to direct collaboration with brands of all sizes and prices, seconde/seconde/ has found in the watch an ideal and somehow untapped playground to bring together its two passions: satire and watchmaking.

Since then, collectors have been snapping up his limited-edition collaborations, such as editions with H Moser & Cie, Massena Lab, Louis Erard, Lang 1943, Timex or even Spinnaker!

Human nature and beauty

Frederique Constant doesn't do many collaborations, but when she does, they're very successful! One such collaboration is with The Naked Watchmarker (aka Peter Speake Marin, renowned watchmaker) on a QP Squelette! For this new collaboration, Frederique Constant asked seconde/seconde/ to highlight what it considers to be one of the Maison's main strengths, or perhaps its main frustration. He tackled all the hand-assembled parts of the watches. The result, eccentric if not somewhat chaotic, is a reinterpretation of one of Frederique Constant's most iconic references within its "Manufacture" collection, the Slimline Moonphase Date.

The model

At first glance, the Slimline Moonphase Date Manufacture looks completely normal. There's its 42 mm steel case, composed of three perfectly polished parts, its subtly sparkling matte silver dial, its delicate moon phase and date window. But a closer look reveals that nothing is as usual. There's clearly something wrong with the dial. The applied hour markers seem to be placed haphazardly here and there. The logo and date markings appear to have been done by hand. Even the moon-phase star disc appears to be hand-drawn, but with a somewhat random handwriting. But for seconde/seconde/, there's no better way to underline the manual nature of the Slimline Moonphase Date Manufacture's assembly than to include a little of man's own randomness and imprecision. This can only result from his handiwork, without losing sight of the fact that these elements in themselves are perfectly executed and finished by hand.

Finally, the sapphire caseback provides a clear view of the Manufacture FC-705 automatic caliber, with circular graining on the plate, côtes de Genève on the bridge and blued screws. Its bidirectional oscillating rotor efficiently winds the mainspring barrel to provide a 38-hour power reserve. And on this sapphire caseback we find a disclaimer: "How do we tell the world that manual-assembly is at the core of our Manufacture? We asked the artist seconde/seconde/. He went too far."