Horologii

Hands-on with the Frederique Constant Classics Heart Beat Manufacture 2022 Collection

For Frederique Constant, the Geneva Watch Days 2022 event was all about shaking up the look of one of their most iconic manufacture timepieces. Taking away the defining comma-shaped aperture and opting for a conventional rounded window, the new Frederique Constant Classics Heart Beat Manufacture watches for 2022 become some of the brand’s most elegant dress watches to date.

2004 was a huge year for Swiss watch manufacturer Frederique Constant. They launched their inaugural FC-910 Heart Beat Manufacture calibre, which at that time was manual winding. The movement was beautifully displayed on a traditional-looking dial but one broken up by an unusual comma-shaped window. Through this emblematic aperture, the beating heart of the watch could be admired, particularly the finely finished escapement which spun in time with the hands. A few years later, Frederique Constant worked on adapting the movement with a self-winding mechanism and soon, the FC-930 calibre was born. This was the first automatic winding manufacture calibre from the Maison. Offering that same movement, two new Frederique Constant Classics Heart Beat Manufacture watches have been launched for 2022 but rather than electing the comma-shaped window, a new perfect circle is nominated.

The Frederique Constant Classics Heart Beat Manufacture watches place the rounded skeletonised aperture at 6 o’clock on a clean, white lacquered dial. The circle is beautifully bordered by a polished frame highlighting the balance on full display and some of the centre wheel which you can see peeking through at the top. The dial has a double step with a recessed centre giving away to a silvered sunray brushed treatment which is surrounded by a black railway-style track. Further out, printed Roman numerals mark the hours and another black railway track indicates the minutes. There’s also the two traditional leaf-shaped hands for the hours and minutes at the centre in black.

The case of the Frederique Constant Classics Heart Beat Manufacture 2022 watches maintain the brand’s signature dress style with straight lugs, soft curves and a 39mm diameter. You can find the housing in two metals, stainless steel which is limited to 930 pieces and 18 carat rose gold in a run of 93 pieces. Both cases feature domed sapphire crystal glass with anti-reflective treatment, a matching sapphire crystal glass case back and a pull-out onion-style crown at 3 o’clock. The 18ct rose gold model promises a 30 metre water resistant rating while the steel promises an increased one of up to 50 metres. Both cases on the wrist at 10.39mm high.

Displayed through the new rounded aperture, the Frederique Constant Classics Heart Beat Manufacture watches are powered by the Manufacture FC-930-3 automatic winding calibre. It remains entirely designed and developed by Frederique Constant and promises a power reserve of 38 hours and a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour. There’s also the classic Swiss decorations put on display through the case back including perlage and Côtes de Genève striping, and an open-worked gold with brushed finishing and polished bevelled edges.

Completing the Frederique Constant Classics Heart Beat Manufacture watches is an alligator leather strap. The stainless steel models elects the leather in black while the rose gold opts for a warmer dark brown leather band. Both close by a folding buckle engineered from its corresponding case material. The buckles are nicely decorated with the open-worked Frederique Constant logo.

For more information on the Frederique Constant Classics Heart Beat Manufacture 2022 watches and to shop the collection for yourself, head over to the Jura Watches website here. Alternatively, get in touch with the team by calling 01335 453453 or send us a message at help@jurawatches.co.uk.

Specifications:

  • Case Size: 39mm
  • Case Material: Stainless steel or 18ct rose gold
  • Bezel: Fixed
  • Glass: Convex sapphire crystal
  • Crown: Onion-shaped
  • Case Back: Exhibition
  • Water Resistance: Up to 50 metres
  • Movement: FC-930-3 Manufacture automatic winding
  • Functions: Hours and minutes
  • Power Reserve: 38 hours
  • Jewels: 26
  • Frequency: 28,800vph
  • Dial: White lacquered with printed Roman numerals and blued hands
  • Strap: Alligator leather in black or brown
  • Buckle: Folding
  • Limited: 930 pieces (steel), 93 pieces (gold)
  • Reference: FC-930EM3H6 (steel), FC-930EM3H9 (gold)