To celebrate its 30th anniversary, Swiss horologists Frederique Constant have created a new model that includes a limited edition of 30 unique timepieces. These watches embody the brand’s visionary spirit, determination and passion for watchmaking. Baroque Access finds out all the details
The brand new Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon Manufacture watch from Frederique Constant is a force to be reckoned with in the watch industry. Created by a brand that is known for its high quality timepieces in the ‘Accessible Luxury’ segment, this new timepiece represents the results of all the time and knowledge used by the brand to develop its in-house manufacture movements. The Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon Manufacture is a grand compilation that is the result of the brand’s quest for ultimate precision.
This new timepiece boasts a silicium escapement wheel and anchor, a smart weight balance wheel and a Tourbillon cage. In horological terms, it is incredibly impressive because of the industrialized process the Tourbillon has undergone, the precision required in creating the Tourbillon and the exceptional level of performance expected from the timepiece.
The manufacturers used light, durable, antimagnetic, resistant materials such as silicium to benefit the watch’s mechanism, enable good friction properties and gain in efficiency for the energy required in the caliber. The perfectly balanced cage that boasts 80 components has been patented by Frederique Constant. To achiever the highest degree of precision, small weights are used in the Tourbillon’s cage to obtain the perfect balance. When the Tourbillon is built, the balance in the cage is slightly unequal, so a ‘smart screw’ system has been added on the outer edge of the Tourbillon to equalize the weight and deliver a perfect balance in the cage.
This timepiece boasts a 38-hour power reserve. The Tourbillon itself comprises a mobile cage, driven by a gear train that carries the balance wheel and its escapement. At each impulse that the balance wheel receives, the cage rotates slightly with all the components. The gear train apparently moves forward 691,200 times in four years – this represents more than a billion impulses. This is in contrast with the Perpetual Calendar system of the movement that has a wheel turning just once in the same period of four years.
The watch’s Perpetual Calendar complication also displays the date, day and month and requires even less adjustment than an annual calendar. It’s a highly sophisticated complication that not only acknowledges the number of days in each month, but also displays the year and will automatically adjust for a leap year.
Each timepiece is presented in a substantial 42mm 3-part case available either in polished stainless steel, in 18k rose gold plated stainless steel or in 18k rose gold with a see-through case back. The Swiss-made calibers include 33 jewels and the movements are protected by a 5 ATM case for the stainless steel versions and a 3 ATM case for the 18k gold cases. Two of the timepieces display a skeleton silver color dial that boast the aesthetic of a bold design with printed roman numerals. A brown alligator strap comes with the rose gold plated stainless steel 3-part case and the polished stainless steel case features a black alligator strap.
The timepiece comes in a limited edition of 88 pieces for the stainless steel version and only 30 pieces for timepiece with an 18-karat rose gold case. Each timepiece is uniquely numbered. The limited 30 rose gold pieces reflect on the 30 years of the brand’s history.