Frederique Constant has expanded its collection of limited-edition Manufacture Tourbillon watches with two new variations. These new timepieces are presented in a contemporary 39-millimetre steel case and feature a blue or silver-coloured dial. They are the perfect complement to the classic design and the original rose gold version. The limited-edition timepieces, each available in a run of 350, showcase the Geneva-based firm’s watchmaking expertise with a visible tourbillon at 6 o’clock.

To mark both the brand’s 35th anniversary and the 15th anniversary of the first Manufacture tourbillon movement, Frederique Constant has released two new editions of its Classic Tourbillon Manufacture. The first limited-edition rose gold version was presented at the Geneva Watches and Wonders show, with only 150 pieces produced. The new steel variations continue the brand’s commitment to providing luxury watches at affordable prices, and they are among the most attractive timepieces on the market, presenting a watchmaking complication in a classic design.

Introducing Two Modern Variations

Today’s release showcases two timepieces with a modern ethos. The first variation features a sun-brushed midnight blue dial encased in fully-polished steel and paired with a matte blue alligator strap. The second variation offers a sun-brushed silver-coloured dial with the same strap. Each watch is numbered individually, with the number marked on the tourbillon cage and engraved on the caseback. Discerning collectors can enjoy the expert finishings of the FC-980 Manufacture movement through the transparent caseback, where they can appreciate the Swiss tradition of bevelling, beading, circular graining, straight-grained flanks, and mirror polishing.

A New Diameter

Both models of the new release honor the rich traditions of watchmaking with their restrained diameter of 39 millimeters. This size has long been a favorite of collectors, particularly for classic Fine Watchmaking timepieces like tourbillons. It is also a contemporary size, suitable for both men’s and women’s wrists. The Manufacture has returned to this diameter after previously using a larger size of 42 millimeters for the model.

The dials of both models boast a minimalist and contemporary design, with slim hour markers that are diamond cut and applied by hand. The same hand-polished technique has been used for the hands. At 12 o’clock, the understated “Frederique Constant – Genève” signature is displayed, while the exquisite highlight of the timepiece, the tourbillon, is revealed through an opening at 6 o’clock.

The Tourbillon: An Age-Old Complication for Today’s Timepieces

The tourbillon, first created in the late 18th century and patented in 1801, was designed to offset the effects of gravity on the watch movement by keeping the escapement in constant motion to maintain an ideal running rate. This meticulous procedure helps to improve the accuracy of timepieces, with the Classic Tourbillon Manufacture offering a guaranteed accuracy for thirty-eight hours.

However, Frederique Constant has not merely replicated a 220-year-old complication. Fifteen years ago, the Manufacture added a silicon escapement wheel and anchor to the tourbillon. This addition creates a movement that is more resistant to the adverse effects of magnetism and temperature variations, resulting in even greater precision, in line with the original purpose of the tourbillon.

The watch features a central seconds hand that incorporates a stop seconds function to ensure the utmost precision. The tourbillon complication is visible through a window at 6 o’clock, offering an exhaustive and unparalleled view of the sophisticated escapement. Furthermore, the reverse of the watch is fitted with a sapphire crystal, providing an additional perspective on the inner workings of the timepiece.

The Potential of Youth and Its Prospects for the Future

Even though celebrating the past is admirable, Frederique Constant, at the age of 35, remains a young Manufacture with endless potential. Along with producing meticulously crafted yet reasonably priced timepieces in its main collections, the company has gradually expanded its offerings to include more exclusive watches designed for experienced collectors. Among these, the tourbillon complication is unquestionably one of the most coveted. As Frederique Constant looks toward the future, it is dedicated to delivering even more advanced watchmaking, showcasing increasingly intricate aesthetics and continuously improving finishes.