Frederique Constant proudly unveils its thirty-first Manufacture calibre, the FC-735, in a brand new creation: the Classic Power Reserve Big Date Manufacture. Housed in a 40mm case, this innovative movement produced by the Geneva-based firm in its 35th anniversary year boasts three complications: power reserve, big date and moon phase. Four editions are introduced. The first two, featuring a platinum case and meteorite dial or a rose gold case and grey anthracite dial, come in limited editions of 35 and 350 respectively. The two others, with a steel case and a blue or silver dial, will form part of the firm’s standard collection.

Frederique Constant stands out as a Geneva manufacture that’s developed 31 calibers in-house in just 35 years old of existence. Founded as a family business in 1988, the independent Swiss watchmaking firm has become an essential player in Swiss Made fine watchmaking between the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Amid this unique success story, it’s never lost sight of its goal: making luxury watchmaking available at a fair price.

Three complications, all easy to use

The new Classic Power Reserve Big Date Manufacture follows the same route, bringing to life Frederique Constant’s thirty-first Manufacture calibre, the FC-735. It’s the first calibre from the firm to offer a big date, a moon phase and a power reserve indicator – now for a total of 50 hours., The latter is indicated at 9 o’clock by a slim, dedicated hand travelling along an arc marked out from 0 to 50, ending in a red zone warning that it’s time to wind the watch before it stops.

Opposite, between 2 and 3 o’clock, the big date proudly displays its encircled double window (one for tens and the other for units). This perfect balance is further highlighted by a radiant, poetic moon phase at 6 o’clock on a starry blue background.

Like all its previous calibres, Frederique Constant has taken care to ensure this one is easy to use: the three complications, time set function and winding mechanism are all adjusted via the crown at 3 o’clock. With no pushers, correctors or styluses, the FC-735 movement is resolutely modern. Well thought-out and designed for everyday use, it’s an extension of the Frederique Constant ethos: affordable watches that don’t require any special horological skills on the part of the wearer.

A Classic case in every sense of the word

The three complications are harmoniously arrayed within the firm’s Classic case. With a diameter of only 40mm in observance of watchmaking standards, this benefits from a recent styling overhaul including re-dimensioned lugs and profile, as well as slimmer hour markers. The latter, together with the hands, are diamond-faceted and hand-polished. The case also sports an open back, allowing each collector to admire the inner workings of their new FC-735 Manufacture calibre.

Two limited editions and two standard-collection watches 

To celebrate the arrival of Frederique Constant’s thirty-first Manufacture calibre and its thirty-fifth anniversary, the Firm has decided to create not one but four variations of its new Classic Power Reserve Big Date Manufacture. The aim is to meet the needs and preferences of seasoned collectors whilst also offering lovers of fine watchmaking two other versions.

The first, most exclusive version is being released in a limited edition of 35 in honour of the Swiss watchmaker’s thirty-fifth anniversary. Its fully-polished platinum case houses a meteorite dial, a rare composition for Frederique Constant in honour of the release of the FC-735 calibre, on a navy blue alligator strap matching the colour of the dial. The second model, on a brown alligator strap, features a rose gold case and sun-brushed grey dial and is a limited edition of 350.

Alongside those, Frederique Constant is adding two variations of the new Classic Power Reserve Big Date Manufacture to its collection. These non-limited versions share the same polished steel case and blue alligator leather strap, with a sun-brushed dial available in a blue or silver finish.
 

A growing family 

This thirty-first Manufacture calibre is the latest addition to a family that already boasts a wealth of developments and complications. Here tribute must be paid to the pioneer: the FC-910 introduced in 2004, showcasing the firm’s signature Heart Beat design. Four years later, the completion of the FC-980 calibre had long been awaited by collectors, featuring as it did the first Tourbillon Heart Beat, equipped with an escapement wheel and silicon anchor.

Another major milestone was achieved with the ‘Worldtimer Manufacture’ FC-718 in 2012, unanimously acclaimed for its reliability and above all its simplicity, with all of the functions adjusted using just the crown. 2013 saw the release of the FC-705, the Slimline collection’s iconic calibre featuring a moon phase. Three years later, in 2016, it was the turn of the perpetual calendar, still the most affordable on the market.

In 2017, there was a decisive technical step forward with the Flyback FC-760 chronograph, followed two years later by the FC-750, the first Hybrid Manufacture movement, combining a connected model with a Manufacture movement for the first time. 2021 marked a breakthrough not only for Frederique Constant but also for the watchmaking industry as a whole, in the form of the FC-810 calibre and its Monolithic escapement. This revolutionised the way mechanical watches are regulated, being equipped with a silicon oscillator instead of the 26 components of a conventional assembly. It beats at 40Hz, ten times faster than a traditional mechanical movement.