Frederique Constant has introduced a new appearance for its Classics Heart Beat Manufacture collection, showcasing a new dial, updated indexes, and a vintage-inspired 39mm case.
A significant change in the updated design is the watchmaker’s decision to showcase the watch’s escapement or ‘Heart Beat’ in a different way. Previously, the dial featured a ‘comma-shaped’ aperture at 12 o’clock, which has now been replaced by a full circle at 6 o’clock.
The initial Frederique Constant Heart Beat models launched in 1994 became a defining feature for the company as it grew in the watchmaking industry. Over the years, the Heart Beat design has been synonymous with the brand, introducing innovative calibers such as the FC-910 manual-wind manufacture caliber in 2004 and the FC-930 automatic caliber shortly after.
In addition to the aperture update, the redesigned Heart Beat models also return to the original 39mm case size, departing from the larger sizes offered in recent years. The 2022 collection showcases more classic Roman numerals on the dial along with thinner indexes for a refined look.
The dial features subtle indexes on a white lacquered backdrop, complemented by traditional railway markers reminiscent of early 20th-century watches. The watch retains the same hand design used in 2004, characterized by a slim leaf-shaped minute hand and a distinctive “heart” hour hand.
The timepiece is equipped with an onion crown that winds an automatic FC-930-3 manufacture caliber, providing a thirty-eight-hour power reserve. The movement is elegantly decorated with fine pearling and Côtes de Genève stripes visible through the transparent caseback.
Frederique Constant offers the new Classics Heart Beat Manufacture in two limited series. The first edition features a pink gold case with a brown alligator strap limited to 93 pieces ($17,995), while the second edition is crafted from steel with a black alligator strap limited to 930 pieces ($4,395). The collection is set to be available in December 2022.
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