Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The New Frederique Constant Classic Power Reserve Big Date Manufacture (Video & Live Pics)
Big news from Frederique Constant showcasing a trilogy of complications.
Frederique Constant is in celebratory mode this year. Not only does the brand turn 35 in 2023, but it will be releasing its 31st in-house calibre with three complications during Geneva Watch Days 2023. The new automatic calibre FC-735 debuts inside the Classic Power Reserve Big Date Manufacure, animating the watch with a big date, a moon phase and a power reserve indicator. Released in limited-edition platinum and rose gold cases, two additional models in steel cases will join the standard collection. For the occasion of this launch and 35 years of the brand’s activity, we’ve been visiting the manufacture and tell you all there’s to know in one of our classic in-depth videos, right on top of this article.
A total of 31 different movements in 35 years: That’s a pretty impressive track record for a family business founded by husband-and-wife team Aletta and Peter Stas in 1988, committed to providing luxury Swiss watches at fair prices. Designed, developed and assembled in the brand’s manufacture in Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, the latest FC-735 is the brand’s first calibre to unite a big date, a moon phase and a power reserve complication in one watch.
Frederique Constant selected a case from its Classic family for the new calibre. Benefitting from the recent makeover, the case measures a compact 40mm and has a thickness of 12.19mm. Fully polished surfaces exalt the elegant nature of the watch, and the sizeable grooved crown ensures an easy grip to perform any adjustments. Four models compose the inaugural lineup: a limited edition of 35 platinum pieces with a dark blue meteorite dial and a matching matte navy blue alligator strap; a 350-piece edition in rose gold with a sun-brushed grey dial and a matte brown alligator strap; a non-limited edition in steel with a blue sun-brushed dial and a matte blue alligator strap; a non-limited edition in steel with a silver sun-brushed dial and a matte blue alligator strap.
The three complications are arranged elegantly on the dial with the large aperture for the big date located between 2 and 3 o’clock with double-framed windows – one for the tens and the other for the units – all with a white background and black numerals. The power reserve indicator, clocking up to 50 hours of autonomy, is slightly recessed and placed on the left side of the dial on an arc with a white railroad track and a red warning zone marking ‘0’. Balancing the composition is the moon phase indicator at 6 o’clock with a silvery moon and stars set against a light blue sky. The slim applied hour markers and hands are diamond faceted and hand polished.
Designed with user-friendliness in mind, the functions of the Classic Power Reserve Big Date Manufacture can be adjusted directly via the crown. There are no fiddly pushers or styluses to worry about, and the three complications, the time and the winding mechanism, are all operated with the crown. The open caseback reveals the inner workings of the new automatic FC-735 Manufacture calibre with its openworked rotor and decorative perlage and Côtes de Genève finishings. Beating at a frequency of 28,800vph, the movement delivers a power reserve of 50 hours.
Availability & Price
The Classic Power Reserve Big Date Manufacture in platinum is limited to 35 pieces and retails for EUR 25,995; the rose gold edition of 350 pieces retails for EUR 17,995. The non-limited steel models retail for EUR 4,795.
For more information, please consult frederiqueconstant.com.
