Frédérique Constant - Maxime Heart Beat Moon & Date

Maxime Heart Beat Moon & Date: a unique combination, bringing together the Heart Beat aperture, a moon phase indicator and date pointer

Swiss watch Manufacture Frédérique Constant Genève presents the latest version in Maxime series: the Maxime Heart Beat Moon & Date. This creation combines the iconic Heart Beat aperture at 12 o’clock, a moon phase indicator as well as a date pointer.

The new Maxime collection once again demonstrates the brand’s creativity thanks to its outstanding design, combining tradition and modernity. With a 42-mm case, the brushed steel of the case sides fits perfectly to the polished bezel, which is finished in either steel or in pink-gold capped, depending on the version chosen.

The Maxime Heart Beat Moon & Date is equipped with the complicated FC-335 automatic caliber. It incorporates a Heart Beat aperture at 12 o’clock, the iconic signature of Frédérique Constant. Moreover, at 6 o’clock, the moon phase indicator blends into the guilloché work of the dial, combining a Sunray pattern in the center and “Clous de Paris” decoration under the hand-polished hour-markers. These come in Arabic or Roman versions, finished in the same material as used for the bezel. Finally, a central hand on the outer circumference of the dial indicates the date.

Rich in functions, the Maxime Heart Beat Moon & Date is a watch that perfectly combines the modernity of its case design with the tradition of its dial finishing and its functionality. At the same time, it will not fail to enchant lovers of beautiful watches thanks to its positioning in the “Accessible Luxury” segment…

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FREDERIQUE CONSTANT-MAXIME MANUFACTURE LADY:a watch as technical as it is elegant…

Frédérique Constant is delighted to introduce its new Manufacture timepiece for women: the “Maxime Manufacture Lady”. A watch as technical as it is elegant.

In 2004, Frédérique Constant joined the elite circle of Swiss watch brands that develop and produce their movements in-house. After the successful introduction of the iconic Heart Beat Manufacture, the innovative Geneva-based brand created the surprise of 2008 by presenting its first Tourbillon Manufacture movement.

Continuing down the road of developing Manufacture calibers, bringing the creation and production of the watch movements in-house, Frédérique Constant presented the new Maxime Manufacture Automatic range during BaselWorld 2009. A series of watches conceived in-house, with passion and eye-for-detail.

As a result of the fruitful marriage of technical excellence and outstanding contemporary design of the first Maxime, Frédérique Constant took the bold step of expanding the range with the Maxime Manufacture Lady, especially designed for the modern woman. Today’s woman desires above all an elegance that demonstrates a return to real values, and Frédérique Constant is at the forefront of this movement. The new Maxime Manufacture Lady is a watch that will not just match, but surpass, their expectations.

With the FC-700 Manufacture automatic movement at its heart, the watch not only shows the time but also a date indicator at 6 o’clock. The 39mm case forms a harmonious mix of polished and brushed parts. It comes in several versions, including the use of rose gold bezel set with 52 diamonds. Using fine mother-of-pearl for the dial, the timepiece also has diamond indexes and a central finely decorated “sunray” guilloché pattern. A chic Galuchat strap completes the picture of elegance.

The Maxime Manufacture Lady, designed for women of tomorrow with yesterday’s tradition.

Frederique Constant Junior Watches: Finally, Someone Has Thought Of The Children

With a relatively smooth and easy to navigate website along with a clear hole in the market, Frederique Constant has released a new product along with a mini-website aimed at the marketing for entry-level luxury watches for boys. This is their answer to the most common of questions, "What watch should I get little Ben for his Bar Mitzvah?"

It's true that the vast majority of people wishing to get watches for 12-16 boys don't have a lot of ready answers from a marketing perspective. It can be a daunting question, and price will always be an issue when looking at a "nice watch." Plus, men and women who enjoy luxury watches often are interested in getting the young people in their lives acquainted with their passions - a Japanese quartz movement based watch is not a bad idea, but does not have the same effect as a genuine mechanical Swiss watch when it comes to engendering a new hobby. There is also the "father son" aspect of having an interest in watches. As such, Frederique Constant will begin a new advertising campaign with this theme in mind.

While these new Frederique Constant Junior watches don't inherently have anything unique about them, they are all about "packaging." A one stop shop for that sentimental timepiece gift awaits at Frederique Constant Junior website. A novice or child themselves can easily navigate the site and quickly use the selector to pick something out. At laugh there is one main watch type that comes with three complication varieties. In addition to the current automatic mechanical watches, the Junior line will be offered with quartz movements soon. The three pictured watches are a three-hand with date, chronograph, and day-date model. The cases are in steel and 38mm wide with either silver or black tones dials, and sapphire crystals. There are several leather strap color options available, as well as a metal bracelet option. The site automatically features the ability to engrave the back of the watches (that also have a small viewing window into the movement).

From a marketing perspective the move is very clever by Frederique Constant, and I like how the product is shown and presented. It will be an easy choice for the many people who feel intimidated by the task of finding a nice reasonably priced watch for a young teenage boy. However, the watches are really not inherently unique (even within Frederique Constant's own line) and there are plenty of other offerings at this watch size and price range if you aren't feeling fabulous about this typical type of Frederique Constant style. Prices are around 550 euros.

Frédérique Constant-New gold tourbillon

New gold tourbillon

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The Frédérique Constant watches new tourbillon white gold FC-980MC4H8 and yellow gold FC-980MC4H9

After a great success met with his Manufacture Tourbillon, edited in limited series of 188 pieces in rose gold, and unveiled in world-wide preview during Baselworld 2008, Frédérique Constant is very honoured to present you the new edition of his Manufacture Tourbillon, now limited of 88 pieces in white gold, and always endowed with its henceforth very famous Silicium Escapement Wheel.

Based on its award-winning Heart Beat Manufacture Calibre, Frédérique Constant developed its Tourbillon, completely conceived within its Workshops to Plan-les-Ouates and that presents several specific features, which gives a conception innovating and unique to this Tourbillon: a Silicium Escapement Wheel, a Smart Weight Balancing, a Fast Oscillation at 28’800 BpH, and a Tourbillon Cage individually numbered.

The Frédérique Constant watch new tourbillon white gold - ref.: FC-980MC4H8

The technical innovations:

• The Silicium escapement wheel, particularly useful in a Tourbillon mechanism, and already used in a limited series "Heart Beat" in 2007 presents 3 major advantages: Lubricant-free running - avoids the risk that oil spreads to other parts of the movement, and that thus avoids the age’s effects - Very light (low inertia) - the lower weight Silicium escapement wheel has lower inertia, increasing energy efficiency - Good friction properties - lower friction reduces loss of energy, hence the energy requirement for the Calibre is lower. As a result, the Frédérique Constant Tourbillon with Silicium escapement wheel has amplitude of over 300 degrees in dial-up and dial-down positions. Even in the crown-down position, it is over 275 degrees, which is substantially better than the performance of other high-end Tourbillon.
  
• Smart Weight Balancing: the Frédérique Constant Tourbillon Cage consists of 80 parts. Each of these parts is produced to the highest possible tolerance, with a precision of 1-2 micron (0.001-0.002 mm), on Frédérique Constant’s ultra precise CNC machine in Plan-les-Ouates. Even with such a high degree of precision, it is impossible to have a 100% equal distribution of weight in the individual parts; for a Tourbillon to run accurately, an equal distribution of weight is essential. Frédérique Constant solved this problem by a “Smart Screw” system on the outer edge of the Tourbillon cage. At first, the Tourbillon cage is constructed with a slight over-weight opposite the Smart Screw system on the main Cage Wheel. Thereafter, a highly skilled watchmaker is able to balance the weight into the center of the Tourbillon cage by adding or exchanging tiny metal rings under the two screws on the main cage wheel. Typically, 8 hours are required for a watchmaker to adjust the tiny rings and balance the weight perfectly for the entire Tourbillon cage.
  
• Fast Oscillation: the Frédérique Constant Tourbillon runs at 4 Hertz whereby the balance wheel beats 28’800 times per hour. Hence, in a Frédérique Constant Tourbillon, the balance wheels swings 28,800 times an hour and the gear train moves forward 691,200 times in 24 hours. In four years, this represents over one billion impulses. Most competing Tourbillons run at 3 Hertz only. The higher ‘Beats per Hour’ (BpH) enable a higher accuracy of the Tourbillon calibre. The higher oscillation also makes the calibre less susceptible to gyration effects.
  
• Individually numbered: each Tourbillon cage is individually numbered to show the Limited Edition of 88 pieces. The minuscule top plate in the center of the Tourbillon cage is sequentially numbered and match with the Limited Edition number on the case, making the combination of calibre and case unique.

The Tourbillon is one of the most valued and sought-after complications by collectors and aficionados of premium timepieces alike. A Tourbillon mechanism is extremely complex to manufacture due to the required accuracy of all the parts involved, and requires highly qualified and experienced watchmakers to be able to manufacture the Tourbillon Calibre.



Through allying technical complexities, to the aesthetic value that contributes to the charm of this timepiece, Frédérique Constant presents thus the one of its more beautiful creations…

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FC-980MC4H8 white gold Tourbillon

Limited Edition 88 pieces

The Frédérique Constant new tourbillon watch white gold - ref.: FC-980MC4H8

Reference	:	FC-980MC4H8 – Limited Edition 88 pieces
Movement	:	Automatic, Calibre FC-980. One minute Tourbillon, balance-cock on dial side. Diameter 30.50mm (13 ¼ ), 28.800 BpH, 33 jewels, Incabloc anti-shock system, Glucydur balance, Nivarox No. 1 balance spring, power reserve 48 hours, bridges decorated with Côtes de Genève and perlage, finished anglage and rhodiage. 188 components; each movement individually numbered.
Functions	:	Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Day-Night Indicator
Case	:	18K White Gold, round shape, three-pieces case, diameter 42mm, thickness 11 mm, antireflective convex sapphire crystal, antireflective sapphire crystal case back, case back secured with 6 screws, water-resistant to 3 atm. Each case individually numbered.
Dial	:	Silvered, “Clou de Paris” decor in dial centre. Fine black Roman numerals, black steel hands, rhodium gold and blued steel day-night indicator.
Strap	:	Genuine hand-stitched Alligator leather with water-resistant lining; additional folding buckle included.
Retail Price	:	-

The Frédérique Constant new tourbillon back watch - white gold - ref.: FC-980MC4H8

FC-980MC4H9 pink gold Tourbillon

Limited Edition 188 pieces

The Frédérique Constant new tourbillon watch - pink gold - ref.: FC-980MC4H9

Reference	:	FC-980MC4H9 – Limited Edition 188 pieces
Movement	:	Automatic, Calibre FC-980. One minute Tourbillon, balance-cock on dial side. Diameter 30.50mm (13 ¼ ), 28.800 BpH, 33 jewels, Incabloc anti-shock system, Glucydur balance, Nivarox No. 1 balance spring, power reserve 48 hours, bridges decorated with Côtes de Genève and perlage, finished anglage and rhodiage. 188 components; each movement individually numbered.
Functions	:	Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Day-Night Indicator
Case	:	18K Rose Gold, round shape, three-pieces case, diameter 42mm, thickness 11 mm, antireflective convex sapphire crystal, antireflective sapphire crystal case back, case back secured with 6 screws, water-resistant to 3 atm. Each case individually numbered.
Dial	:	Silvered, “Clou de Paris” decor in dial centre. Fine black Roman numerals, black steel hands, rose gold and blued steel day-night indicator.
Strap	:	Genuine hand-stitched Alligator leather with water-resistant lining; additional folding buckle included.
Retail Price	:	-

The Frédérique Constant new tourbillon back watch - pink gold - ref.: FC-980MC4H9

Frédérique Constant Manufacture Tourbillon

Technical specifications

	Tourbillon FC-980-1 Manufacture Frédérique Constant 188 pieces

Designation: FC-980-1

• One Minute Tourbillon, Hour, Minute, Day-Night Indicator
• 13 ¼ line (30.5 mm diameter)
• 4 Hz, 28.800 Bph
• Automatic Winding
• 48 Hour Power Reserve
• Efficiency gear train calculated 94%
• Incabloc Regulation
• Incabloc Anti-shock
• Glucydur Balance Wheel
• Nivarox No. 1 Balance Spring (Spiral)
• Amplitude +/- 300° at 0h and +/- 275° at 24h
• Decoration Côtes de Genève, Perlage
• Anglage and Rhodiage on all bridges
• Gold plated rotor decorated with Côtes de Genève

Number of Components

• 80 Tourbillon Cage
• 7 Mainplate and Bridges
• 10 Gear Train
• 5 Automatic Wheels
• 14 Tirette system
• 33 Jewels
• 24 Screws
• 1 Rotor
• 14 Other

Total: 188