The Frederique Constant Classics Heart Beat Moonphase Date with New Blue Dial

The Heart Beat model with its exposed balance wheel at noon is tucked away in Frederique Constant’s Classic collection with its somewhat disparate offering. Available in a straightforward three-hand automatic and a more complicated moon phase and date, the latest model to join the line-up is a navy blue dial version of the Heart Beat Moonphase Date, bringing a contemporary colour to the existing silver dials in the collection.

In 1994 Frederique Constant launched the Heart Beat with a round aperture at noon to reveal the balance wheel. The idea of opening the dial was to emphasise the presence of an automatic movement. True to the brand’s philosophy of accessible luxury, the automatic movement used here – calibre FC-335 – is based on the Sellita SW-200 with a module for the specific functions integrated into the mainplate.

The well-proportioned and polished stainless steel case has a diameter of 40mm and a height of 10mm and features a stepped bezel and short lugs. In line with the more traditional spirit of this collection, the thick stepped bezel frames a classical dial with Roman numerals, Breguet-style hands and textured areas to simulate guilloché.

Instead of a date window, the Heart Beat Moonphase Date relies on a pointer date system with white numerals for the date placed on the dial’s perimeter and indicated by a central arrow-tipped white hand. A thicker chapter ring, separated by a slightly raised track, displays the classical (printed) Roman numerals. Both the date and hours feature a satin-brushed background contrasting with the central area with its stamped Clous de Paris pattern to suggest guilloché.

Framed by a steel ring, the large aperture at noon reveals a glimpse of the balance wheel and a bridge decorated with circular graining. Balancing the aperture at 12, the moon phase function is placed at 6 o’clock and has a lighter blue sky and a silver moon to stand out from the navy blue dial. The white hour and minute hands have hollowed tips and are accompanied by a central seconds hand and the abovementioned pointer date hand.

The automatic FC-335 calibre (Sellita base) has been designed with a focus on simplicity and can be seen through the see-through caseback. Everything can be adjusted at the crown. The first position winds the movement, the second changes the date, the third corresponds to the moon phase, and the fourth is to set the time. Beating at a frequency of 28,800vph, the movement delivers a power reserve of 38 hours.

The Frederique Constant Classics Heart Beat Moonphase Date comes with a navy blue calfskin strap with off-white stitching. It retails for EUR 1,750. For more information, please visit Frederique Constant.