he Classics Heart Beat Manufacture expresses the values on which Frederique Constant has been built: the essence of workmanship and centuries-old watchmaking traditions in a timepiece of timeless elegance and available at an affordable price.

The Classics Heart Beat Manufacture opened the way to Frederique Constant’s Manufacture adventure by including its first movement developed in-house, in 2004, the FC-910 Heart Beat Manufacture calibre – at that time manually wound. A signature of the Maison, it was thus perfectly natural that it should pay tribute to this emblematic aperture on the surface of the dial in 1994, through which the beating heart of the watch, its escapement can be admired. A few years later, this calibre had developed and was called FC-930, becoming the first self-winding Manufacture calibre of the Maison.

In 2022, Frederique Constant has revisited the Classics Heart Beat Manufacture and given it a new look. Since 2004, this Heart Beat aperture had a special geometry in the shape of a “comma”. A design which enabled the escapement to become visible through the dial in a dynamic and atypical way. Now, this comma has disappeared in favour of a perfect circle.

Located at 6 o’clock, it hints at the tourbillons that Luxury Watchmakers also generally place in the same position. A traditional look which brings the Classics Heart Beat Manufacture closer to the noble aesthetics of classic watchmaking.

A true symbol of Frederique Constant, the Heart Beat aperture was designed for the first time, nearly 30 years ago, in 1994. Designed...but not protected: this design has never been registered. Due to its success and the legal loophole that allowed for royalty-free use, the Heart Beat aperture has been copied many times. However, it is still seen by collectors as an identity marker of the Geneva watchmaker.

It is in the same classic spirit that new indexes have also been designed. They strengthen the decision to create a timepiece with a heritage spirit, but not only. Because in its 2022 vintage, the Classics Heart Beat Manufacture has Roman numerals especially designed for its new 39 mm case, as a tribute to the first Heart Beat Manufacture model which was of the same diameter.

These new indexes, less thick and more subtle, overlay a lacquered white dial and are accompanied by so-called “railway” motion work which places the timepiece closer to the standards that were commonplace just a century ago. In order not to break with the original inspiration which has distinguished the collection since its creation, the black hands as designed in 2004 have been used again, with a very slender “leaf” hand for the minutes, completed with a “heart” hand for the hours.

The famous “onion” crown, also typical of a classical design has been kept, as well as the manufacture movement that it winds up. It is the FC-930-3 calibre beating at a frequency of 28,800 alt./h and guaranteeing 38 hours of power reserve which brings to life the Classics Heart Beat Manufacture – developed and assembled in Frederique Constant’s Geneva workshop. Decorated with fine pearling and Côtes de Genève stripes, it can be admired through the open back of the watch.

It now powers two very limited series. The first is made of 18K pink gold on a brown alligator strap and limited to 93 pieces. The second is made of steel on a black alligator strap and limited to 930 pieces.

In nearly 35 years, Frederique Constant has developed 30 Manufacture calibres – developed and designed in-house. Among these are very important mechanical movements such as the FC-705 (Moonphase), the FC-718 (Worldtimer), the FC-760 Flyback Chronograph, the FC-775 (perpetual calendar), the FC-975 (tourbillon perpetual calendar) and the FC-810 (Monolithic). Complex mechanisms attesting to the watchmaking expertise of the Maison, they have however been designed to guarantee Frederique Constant’s mission: to make luxury watchmaking accessible.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Functions

• Hours, minutes

Movement

• FC-930-3 caliber, automatic
• Perlage and Côtes de Genève decorations
• 38-hour power reserve, 26 jewels, 28’800 alt/h

Case

• Polished 18K rose gold 3-part case
• Diameter of 39 mm
• Height of 10,29 mm
• Scratch-resistant convex sapphire crystal
• See-through case back
• Water-resistant up to 3 ATM/30m/100ft

Dial

• White laquered dial with black printed Roman numerals and graduation in the center ring
• Black hour and minute hands
• Heart beat at 6 o’clock

Strap

• Brown alligator leather strap with brown stitching

Price

• CHF 16’995
• Limited edition Limited to 93 pieces