Frederique Constant Celebrate 35th Anniversary with Classics Tourbillon Manufacture

Frederique Constant is celebrating its 35^th anniversary with the launch of the new Classics Tourbillon Manufacture limited edition. As part of the classics collection it leans heavily towards the dress watch angle as opposed to the sporty aspect of their incredibly popular Highlife.

A large reason it feels particularly classical is the 18k rose gold case, which is an absolute staple of the dress watch world. Adding to that are the slim hour markers and tapering hands, which are also produced in rose gold. It all has a gorgeously warm lustre against the sunray brushed dial in black.

Occupying the focal point of the watch at 6 o’clock is the titular tourbillon. Interestingly, the tourbillon has been overlayed with a seconds hand, using the area of the tourbillon as a small seconds subdial. Typically the tourbillon replaces a small seconds subdial because one of the common tourbillon rates of rotation is 60-seconds, meaning it serves the same function.

Powering the tourbillon is FC-980 calibre, an automatic movement with a 38-hour power reserve. Normally I’d complain that 38-hours is fairly low by modern standards, but that for regular automatic calibre, a tourbillon gets a pass because the haute horology element consumes a lot more power. It’s also finished in lovely fashion with a combination of bevelling, beading, circular grain, straight grain and mirror polishing.

The Frederique Constant Classics Tourbillon Manufacture is a mature and measured release for the brand’s 35^th anniversary, building on the strengths of their mechanical skills while retaining their refined style. It’s limited to 150 pieces at £22,995.