Featuring at 6 o’clock the famous Heart Beat aperture and a clearly stated classicism, the Classics Heart Beat Manufacture today reveals a brand new look with a new dial, new indexes and a new 39 mm case in two limited editions in 18K pink gold (93 timepieces) and steel (930 timepieces). The redesign of an iconic timepiece of the Maison that began the era of Manufacture movements at Frederique Constant, is fitted with the Manufacture FC-930-3 caliber, the proud descendant of the FC-910 caliber, the first movement developed in-house in 2004.
The 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.
Even more important, the Classics Heart Beat Manufacture opened the way to Frederique Constant’s Manufacture adventure in 2004 with its first movement developed in-house the FC-910 Heart Beat Manufacture caliber – 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 dial launched in 1994, through which the beating heart of the watch, its escapement can be admired. A few years later, this caliber had changed and was called FC-930, becoming the first self-winding Manufacture caliber of the Maison.
When the comma is erased
In 2022, Frederique Constant revisits the Classics Heart Beat Manufacture and gives it a new look. Since 2004, this Heart Beat aperture had a special shape of a “comma”. A design which enabled the escapement to become visible through the dial in a dynamic and atypical way. Today, this comma has disappeared in favor 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.
Classicism in all its splendor
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, slender and more subtle, overlay a lacquered white dial and come with a so-called “railway” motion work which places the timepiece closer to the standards that were commonplace just a century ago. In order to maintain 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.
Two very limited series
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 caliber 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.
A watchmaking Manufacture
In nearly 35 years, the Maison Frederique Constant has developed 30 Manufacture calibers – 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.
