NEW VARIANTS OF THE JUBILEE TOURBILLON

Speaking of the tourbillon: what is this trapped boggart in my watch supposed to represent? Well, the tourbillon was developed at the end of the 18th century and patented in 1801. It was designed to compensate for the effects of gravity on the movement by moving the positions of its escapement through a variety of positions to achieve an ideal average gait. This particularly meticulous process gives the timepiece greater accuracy. The Classic Tourbillon Manufacture thus displays the time to the nearest second for over 38 hours, which is extraordinarily precise for a mechanical watch! However, Frederique Constant was not content to merely reproduce a 220-year-old complication. The Manufacture improved it 15 years ago with an escapement wheel and a silicon anchor. This solution promises the owner a movement that is even more resistant to the effects of magnetism and temperature fluctuations and therefore even more precise! One last detail in terms of precision: the tourbillon is crowned by a central seconds hand equipped with a stop-seconds function. At 6 o’clock, there is a large, bezelled opening that offers a breathtaking and complete view of the precious escapement. A sapphire crystal on the back, on the other hand, provides a view of the inner workings.

Two anniversaries, two creations: While Frederique Constant is celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2023, this year also coincides with the 15th anniversary of the first manufacture movement with a tourbillon, which was launched in 2008. After a first model in rose gold, limited to 150 pieces, presented at this year’s Watches and Wonders Geneva watch fair from March 27 to April 2, Frederique Constant continues its 35th anniversary celebrations with two new editions of the Classic Tourbillon Manufacture with a steel version, each limited to 350 pieces. With these two new editions, Frederique Constant is sticking to its original successful strategy of offering luxury Swiss-made watchmaking at a fair price.

The Classic Tourbillon Manufacture in steel is currently one of the best offerings on the watch market when it comes to classic design complications. Each of the pieces presented today shines in either blue or silver, adding to the contemporary look. The first watch shines with its midnight blue sunburst dial in an all-polished steel case encased in a matte blue alligator leather strap. The second version plays a different score with a silver sunburst dial on the same strap. Each piece is individually numbered on the tourbillon cage and on an engraving on the case back, where the experienced collector can admire the meticulous finishing of the FC-980 manufacture movement: beveling, beading, strapping, drawn flanks and high-gloss polishing. You won’t find more affordable haute horlogerie from Switzerland!