Geneva Watch Days: Frederique Constant’s Latest Limited Editions and Classics Carrée Models

Watch fairs are truly enjoying a renaissance. Once the domain of dealers and journalists, today’s conventions are now designed to also court collectors. So, for enthusiasts, visiting events like Geneva Watch Days and being able to examine timepieces (especially limited editions) is absolute catnip.

Perhaps the collector contingent is why Frederique Constant brought the latest limited editions of two of its most popular models, the Classic Moonphase Date Manufacture and the Classic Tourbillon Manufacture, to Geneva Watch Days. Then, to make them even more irresistible, the brand gave them a luxurious facelift, outfitting them with malachite and aventurine glass dials, respectively.

However, if you can’t come away with a limited edition, the brand also added three new models outfitted with the small seconds complication to its Classics Carrée family.

So, with a lot to get through, let’s dive right in, shall we?

The Classic Moonphase Date Manufacture is one of Frederique Constant’s most refined models. Earlier this year, at Watches and Wonders Geneva, the brand improved the model by releasing an updated version. Powered by the in-house FC-716 movement, this updated version offered a 72-hour power reserve, almost doubling the power reserve of previous versions.
 

Now, at Geneva Watch Days, Frederique Constant pushes the eleganza envelope even further with a hardstone malachite dial and 40mm white gold case on a dark green alligator strap with tone-on-tone stitching and a folding buckle.
 

However, the movement and gorgeous green dial are not the only updates to this timepiece; the new Classic Moonphase Date Manufacture also features a reimagined case shape, hour markers, and new hands. Plus, as it is powered by the FC-716 movement, this limited edition also boasts a 72-hour power reserve and comes with a five-year warranty.

Of course, what stays the same is just as important as change. The date and moonphase display are still pleasingly paired in one sub-dial. According to Frederique Constant, the goal for this redesign is to consolidate its prestige among collectors by strengthening design codes and manufacture and then re-examining the aesthetics from several angles.
 

The Classic Moonphase Date Manufacture with a malachite dial is limited to 36 pieces and listed for €29,995.

Another rarity for Frederique Constant is this limited edition of its Classic Tourbillon Manufacture with an aventurine dial. Surrounded by a 39mm white gold case, its glimmering dial is meant to remind us that horology is a “child of astronomy” by melding the mystery of the natural world (the night sky) and the mechanical prowess of man.
 

Moreover, this tourbillon is also a tip of the hat to Frederique Constant’s most fervent and discerning supporters.

How? Because while journalists and collectors often point out that one of the maison’s core values is to offer haute horology with entry-point pricing (a category into which this aventurine-dialed beauty does not fall), it is the brand’s attention to detail that keeps them coming back (Yahtzee!).
 

Highlights of the Classic Tourbillon Manufacture Aventurine include a self-winding FC-980-4 calibre with hand-beveled chamfers, beading on the bridges, straight-grained flanks, and a delicate mirror polish. This high-precision movement also includes a silicon escapement to protect against modern problems such as the magnetic fields thrown off by electronics.

The Classic Tourbillon Manufacture with an aventurine dial is limited to 36 pieces and listed for €39,995.

As Frederique Constant’s new Manufacture Collection offerings attest, the brand is not shy about placing mechanical excellence at the forefront of its collections. However, as we mentioned above, the brand also values accessible pricing.
 

That is why, as much as we admire the high-wire horology of the Classic Moonphase Date Manufacture and the Classic Tourbillon Manufacture, we are just as jazzed by the casual opulence of the quartz-powered Classics Carrée Small Seconds line. Fortunately, Frederique Constant also released three new versions of the Art Déco-style watch in Geneva this week.

The first model (FC-235S2CD6) has diamonds galore set into a stainless steel case atop a black calf leather strap with crocodile pattern embossing. Unsurprisingly, this model is the most expensive of the three, listing for €3,895.
 

The second (FC-235S2C6B) is also made with shiny stainless steel, but it is sans stones and comes on a stainless steel 7-link bracelet. This model carries the significantly smaller price tag of €995.
 

Lastly, the third iteration (FC-235S2C6) is the demurest. It features a stainless steel case and black calf leather strap with crocodile pattern embossing. This model lists for only €895.

They all measure in at 36 x 25.2 mm and share a silvered dial with two central hands, a small off-center seconds sub-dial at 6 o’clock above the “sector dial” minute track, and large Roman numerals.
 

Precision quartz movements are gaining more respect among collectors, especially among those who grew up with the technology. Since Frederique Constant understands this, the heart of the Classics Carrée Small Seconds is the FC-235 quartz calibre, a 6-jewel movement with a battery life of 25 months.

So, while the Classics Carrée Small Seconds models offer all the fine finishing we’ve come to expect from Frederique Constant, this calibre gives a broader community access to this luxurious watch. To learn more, check out the Frederique Constant website.