The Frederique Constant Slimline Perpetual Calendar Manufacture Skeleton by Peter Speake

Frederique Constant, renowned, among other things, for its remarkable price-to-quality ratio, surprised the watch community with its original Slimline Perpetual Calendar model 2016. This competitively priced (under EUR 10,000) watch, equipped with the brand’s FC-775 perpetual calendar calibre, quickly gained recognition. In 2022, Frederique Constant presented an unexpected update to this model through a collaboration with The Naked Watchmaker, an Internet resource founded by British watchmaker Peter Speake and Daniela Marin (people behind the Speake-Marin brand in 2002-2012) known for its detailed watch and movement “deconstructions” and masterclass educational series. The Naked Watchmaker x Frederique Constant Perpetual Calendar Manufacture Limited Edition, featuring a distinctive “naked” interpretation with a brown skeletonized dial, is back again with a new version in more discreet colours.

Expanding on this collaboration, Frederique Constant introduced two additional limited editions of the same model, maintaining the unique presentation but offering different colourways. The Slimline Perpetual Calendar Manufacture Designed by Peter Speake, now includes a 35-piece edition with a matte grey dial presented in a grey anthracite DLC-treated steel case, along with the present 135-piece edition featuring a matte grey dial and a stainless steel case.

The 42mm diameter, 30m water-resistant stainless steel case of the new Naked Watchmaker x Frederique Constant watch showcases polished surfaces and retains the design and specifications of the original watch. A slim fixed bezel with a smooth, high-polished finish surrounds the dial. The sizable rounded fluted crown is positioned at 3 o’clock and is complemented by adjustment pushers on both sides of the case. The screw-down display caseback provides an unobstructed view of the movement’s reverse side.

The skeletonized dial of dark grey and black hues provides a view of the movement adorned with blued screws and gold-coloured gears. The day and date sub-dials at 3 and 9 o’clock are significantly larger than those in the original Slimline Perpetual Calendar, enhancing both legibility and overall balance. The month indicator, positioned at 12 o’clock, maintains clarity, while the leap year indicator is a small round opening between JA and MR, turning red once every four years.

The skeletonized, sword-shaped hands, now lacking luminescent tips, feature a white lacquered finish. The calendar hands introduce a touch of vibrancy with their red tips, and the month is indicated with a distinctive triangle. The “deconstructed” moon phase disc, located at 6 o’clock, remains uncovered and, without the typical overlay, does not assist in tracking the lunar cycle.

The Slimline Perpetual Calendar Manufacture Designed by Peter Speake is equipped with an iteration of the in-house FC-775 self-winding perpetual calendar movement, akin to the one featured in the standard-production model, beating at 28,800vph and providing a 38-hour power reserve. In this special edition, the bridges on the dial side boast a grey finish, contrasting the steel and gold-coloured components visible through the openworked dial. The same grey finish extends to the watch’s opposite side, accompanied by perlage, Geneva stripes, blued screws and skeletonized rotor, and engravings detailing the collaboration with Peter Speake and the limited edition of only 135 pieces.

The new Frederique Constant Slimline Perpetual Calendar Manufacture Designed by Peter Speake is secured by a black nylon 21mm strap with a folding buckle; this limited edition timepiece is priced at EUR 11,995. For more details, please visit frederiqueconstant.com.