By Hallie Engel
Swiss watchmaker Frédérique Constant is expanding its range of Slimline Tourbillon Manufacture watches to include six models in total, in response to the line’s unprecedented popularity.
Each watch in the range will be individually numbered and offered in a limited edition of 188 pieces.
The timepieces are driven by the FC-980 Manufacture automatic calibre, which has been completely developed in-house at the brand’s manufacture in Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva. The technological prowess behind this movement, which consists of over 200 individual parts, is further enhanced by the addition of a silicium escapement wheel and anchor, providing reliability and accuracy. The FC-980 movement also employs the patented Frédérique Constant Smart Weight Balancing System and even the cage surrounding the Tourbillon is individually numbered.
The silicium escapement wheel and anchor comprise a noteworthy development, pioneered in-house by Frédérique Constant’s designers and perfected by a team of engineers. Not only does silicium provide accurate timekeeping, it is not susceptible to the same wear and tear as the materials traditionally used in watch movements, and it is not affected by external elements to include excessive heat and humidity.
Other features shared by the new models include the Perlage and Circular Côtes de Genève decoration on the movement itself, as well as the 33 jewels and a 48-hour power reserve. The movement’s bridges are rhodium plated, and the screws are blue due to being tempered at extremely high heat. The hand-polished, three-part cases are 43mm in diameter, though the case is only 0.12cm deep.
In addition to the hand-polished hour and minute hands, the watches also have a day and night indicator, and all models feature a 60-second tourbillon, in which the seconds hand is an integral part of the rotating tourbillon cage, which rests between the 6 o’clock position and the center of the dial.
