Classics Heart Beat Manufacture: A New Look For The Frederique Constant Icon

Featuring at 6 o’clock the famous Heart Beat aperture and a clearly stated classicism, the Classics Heart Beat Manufacture reveals a brand new look with a new dial, new indexes and a new 39 mm case in two limited editions in 18K pink gold (93 timepieces) and steel (930 timepieces). The recast of a cult watch of the Maison, the timepiece which began the era of Manufacture movements at Frederique Constant. Fitted with the Manufacture FC-930-3 calibre, it is the proud descendent of the FC-910 calibre, the first movement developed in-house in 2004.

The Classics Heart Beat Manufacture expresses the values on which Frederique Constant has been built: the essence of workmanship and centuries-old watchmaking traditions in a timepiece of timeless elegance and available at an affordable price.

But especially, the Classics Heart Beat Manufacture opened the way to Frederique Constant’s Manufacture adventure by including its first movement developed in-house, in 2004, the FC-910 Heart Beat Manufacture calibre – at that time manually wound. A signature of the Maison, it was thus perfectly natural that it should pay tribute to this emblematic aperture on the surface of the dial in 1994, through which the beating heart of the watch, its escapement can be admired. A few years later, this calibre had developed and was called FC-930, becoming the first self-winding Manufacture calibre of the Maison.

When the comma is erased

In 2022, Frederique Constant has revisited the Classics Heart Beat Manufacture and given it a new look. Since 2004, this Heart Beat aperture had a special geometry in the shape of a “comma”. A design which enabled the escapement to become visible through the dial in a dynamic and atypical way. Now, this comma has disappeared in favour of a perfect circle.

Located at 6 o’clock, it hints at the tourbillons that Luxury Watchmakers also generally place in the same position. A traditional look which brings the Classics Heart Beat Manufacture closer to the noble aesthetics of classic watchmaking.

A true symbol of Frederique Constant, the Heart Beat aperture was designed for the first time, nearly 30 years ago, in 1994. Designed...but not protected: this design has never been registered. Due to its success and the legal loophole that allowed for royalty-free use, the Heart Beat aperture has been copied many times. However, it is still seen by collectors as an identity marker of the Geneva watchmaker.

Classicism in all its splendour

It is in the same classic spirit that new indexes have also been designed. They strengthen the decision to create a timepiece with a heritage spirit, but not only. Because in its 2022 vintage, the Classics Heart Beat Manufacture has Roman numerals especially designed for its new 39 mm case, as a tribute to the first Heart Beat Manufacture model which was of the same diameter.

These new indexes, less thick and more subtle, overlay a lacquered white dial and are accompanied by so-called “railway” motion work which places the timepiece closer to the standards that were commonplace just a century ago. In order not to break with the original inspiration which has distinguished the collection since its creation, the black hands as designed in 2004 have been used again, with a very slender “leaf” hand for the minutes, completed with a “heart” hand for the hours.

Two very limited series

The famous “onion” crown, also typical of a classical design has been kept, as well as the manufacture movement that it winds up. It is the FC-930-3 calibre beating at a frequency of 28,800 alt./h and guaranteeing 38 hours of power reserve which brings to life the Classics Heart Beat Manufacture – developed and assembled in Frederique Constant’s Geneva workshop. Decorated with fine pearling and Côtes de Genève stripes, it can be admired through the open back of the watch.

It now powers two very limited series. The first is made of 18K pink gold on a brown alligator strap and limited to 93 pieces. The second is made of steel on a black alligator strap and limited to 930 pieces.

A watchmaking Manufacture

In nearly 35 years, Maison Frederique Constant has developed 30 Manufacture calibres – developed and designed in-house. Among these are very important mechanical movements such as the FC-705 (Moonphase), the FC-718 (Worldtimer), the FC-760 Flyback Chronograph, the FC-775 (perpetual calendar), the FC-975 (tourbillon perpetual calendar) and the FC-810 (Monolithic). Complex mechanisms attesting to the watchmaking expertise of the Maison, they have however been designed to guarantee Frederique Constant’s mission: to make luxury watchmaking accessible.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Classics Heart Beat Manufacture
  

RRP:

- CHF 16'995

Reference:

- FC-930EM3H9

Functions:

- Hours, minutes

Movement:

- FC-930-3 caliber, automatic
- Perlage and Côtes de Genève decorations
- 38-hour power reserve, 26 jewels, 28'800 alt/h

Case:

- Polished 18K rose gold 3-part case
- Diameter of 39 mm
- Height of 10,29 mm
- Scratch-resistant convex sapphire crystal
- See-through case back
- Water-resistant up to 3 ATM/30m/100ft

Dial:

- White laquered dial with black printed Roman numerals and graduation in the center ring
- Black hour and minute hands
- Heart beat at 6 o’clock

Strap:

- Brown alligator leather strap with brown stitching

Limited edition:

- Limited to 93 pieces

• Classics Heart Beat Manufacture
  

RRP:

- CHF 3'995

Reference:

- FC-930EM3H6

Functions:

- Hours, minutes

Movement:

- FC-930-3 caliber, automatic
- Perlage and Côtes de Genève decorations
- 38-hour power reserve, 26 jewels, 28'800 alt/h

Case:

- Polished stainless steel 3-part case
- Diameter of 39 mm
- Height of 10,29 mm
- Scratch-resistant convex sapphire crystal
- See-through case back
- Water-resistant up to 5 ATM/50m/164ft

Dial:

- White laquered dial with black printed Roman numerals and graduation in the center ring
- Black hour and minute hands
- Heart beat at 6 o’clock

Strap:

-Black alligator leather strap with black stitching

Limited edition:

- Limited to 930 pieces

About Frederique Constant

Frederique Constant is a Swiss watchmaking manufacture located in Geneva, Switzerland. The Maison was founded in 1988 by a couple of independent entrepreneurs, Aletta and Peter Stas, to offer quality Swiss watches at an affordable price, with the aim of democratising luxury Swiss Made watches.

Frederique Constant creates, develops, assembles and controls a wide variety of mechanical, quartz and connected timepieces at the same time within its 6,200 m2 Manufacture in Plan-les-Ouates (GE). To this day, Frederique Constant has designed 30 Manufacture calibres, including high complications, such as the Tourbillon, the Perpetual Calendar, the Flyback Chronograph, as well as a new and unprecedented type of escapement in watchmaking – the Monolithic. Made from a single piece of silicone, replacing the 26 components of a standard assortment, it oscillates at a frequency of 40 Hz, which is 10 times that of most mechanical movements.

In 2015, Frederique Constant launched the Horological Smartwatch, the first Swiss Made connected timepiece featuring a traditional appearance. In 2018, the Classic Hybrid Manufacture succeeded it, combining a mechanical Manufacture movement with connected features. It was followed by the Smartwatch Vitality line in 2020, equipped with a new generation built-in heart rate sensor.

The same year, Frederique Constant reinvigorated the Highlife collection (1999) with a redesigned case and an interchangeable integrated strap. This was followed in 2021 by the Slimline Monolithic Manufacture with its very high-frequency one-piece escapement, then by the Highlife collection for women.

Frederique Constant is currently present in nearly 3,000 points of sale in 120 countries across the world. In 2016, the Frederique Constant group (Frederique Constant, Alpina Watches, Ateliers deMonaco) joined the Japanese group Citizen, so as to pursue its international development and nurture new synergies.