Classics Manufacture - Worldtimer Collection

Frederique Constant is a company that loves to put a fresh twist into classic ideas and classic designs. With that in mind, we are delighted to present the exciting new Worldtimer Manufacture collection.

In days gone by, it was the “man about town” who had the respect and admiration of his peers. These fine gentlemen wore pinstripe suits, with colourful ties, shiny shoes and invariably a classy wristwatch. Nowadays, the man about town has become a man of the world, and while the clothes may have changed, the presence of a handsome, classic, elegant watch is still very much part of the gentleman’s ensemble.

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The Worldtimer’s three-part case is made of hand polished stainless steel that shines like the sun. A convex sapphire crystal and see-through case back give a glimpse of the intricate inner workings of this incredible timepiece.

 

The dial comes in silver, with a beautifully engraved guilloché design or an amazingly detailed world map in the center. Hand polished black oxydized hands compliment the guilloché center, while hand polished blue hands accompany the world map and luminous indexes.

Both of these limited edition models have a date counter at the 6 o’clock position, as well as a 24-hour disc with day-night indication. Befitting the man of the world’s persona, the Worldtimer’s dial also displays a 24-city disc—one for each of the 24 time zones in our world.

The genius of the Worldtimer Manufacture lies in its simplicity of use. All functions can be accessed simply by using the crown; there are no extra push buttons sticking out from the ultra-smooth and polished sides of the case. The Worldtimer function can be achieved simply by selecting the desired city and placing it at the 12 o’clock position on the dial. Internal discs automatically synchronise, and after that, it’s possible to see what time it is in any of the 24 cities on the dial. In addition, thin discs also indicate at a glance whether it’s day (white disc) or night (black disc).

With an eye to the most intricate detail, the designers of the Worldtimer Manufacture collection even selected watch straps that exude all-world style. You can choose from a black alligator strap with a stainless steel buckle, or add a dash of colour with a navy alligator strap with off-white stitching and a stainless steel buckle.

What can you give the person who has everything? “Time” is the answer, and in the case of the Frederique Constant Worldtimer Manufacture collection, you’ll be giving a truly limited edition of time in the form of one of these classic watches. Both models mentioned here are part of a limited edition collection of just 1888 pieces. Each Worldtimer is presented in a classic wooden gift box, with an engraved limited edition plate verifying its authenticity.

All this and more is available at a price that could surprise even the most seasoned of fine watch enthusiasts. For more information, please see our website, or you can contact us directly. E-mail Mrs. Yasmina Pedrini at pedrini@frederique-constant.com for further details of the Frederique Constant Worldtimer Manufacture Collection.

Slimline Tourbillon Manufacture Range

Following on from the successful launch of our Ladies’ Slimline Collection, Frederique Constant is delighted to present the limited edition gentlemen’s Slimline Tourbillon Manufacture. With an appearance that is at once classical and timeless,

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while at the same time fresh and modern, this new model perfectly illustrates all that is good, all that is exciting, and all that is unique about Frederique Constant timepieces.

Individually numbered, only 188 of each Slimline Tourbillon Manufacture model will be available to the public. Each will be presented in a beautiful wooden gift box, and features a technologically advanced manufacture movement that is unique to Frederique Constant, the silicium escapement wheel and lever.

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The silicium movement has added greater durability, unrivalled accuracy of timekeeping, and reduced service requirements to models that were already among the most technologically advanced in the world. With a fast 28,800 beats per hour, each watch in the Slimline Tourbillon Manufacture range will not only keep time better than ever thought possible in a mechanical watch, it will also provide a 48-hour power reserve.



Clean lines give the slim stainless steel case an even more sophisticated, 50’s-style appearance. The thickness of the watch’s body incredibly measures less than a single centimetre, and the beautiful, understated raw materials lend a quiet elegance, even an unspoken self-assurance to this timepiece, much like the men who wear them.

Two models in the Slimline Tourbillon Manufacture range are offered; one with a polished all-stainless steel case and the other with a shining stainless steel main body accentuated with a stunning 18-karat solid rose gold bezel. The back of the case is covered with see-through sapphire crystal, allowing owners the opportunity to see firsthand the finely decorated calibre with it’s rose gold plated rotor.

The rich silver, curved dial features beautiful, rose gold-plated indices, all hand applied in-house by Frederique Constant’s skilled craftsmen and women. The dial also boasts a day-night indicator, and finally, there’s a fine view of the tourbillon cage at the 6 o’clock position.

Both models feature a 60-second tourbillon, in which the seconds hand is actually an integral part of the rotating tourbillon cage. One complete rotation of the dial takes place each minute, putting both elegant beauty and incredible technology on display at the same time and in the same place.

An elegant watch needs a strap befitting the timepiece it surrounds. The Slimline Tourbillon Manufacture models each come with an alligator leather strap with a folding buckle, allowing the watch to sit easily and comfortably on your wrist.

Frederique Constant has always believed that truly exceptional hand-made watches of the quality on offer in the Slimline Tourbillon Manufacture range don’t have to come at an outrageous price. Up till now, anyone looking at a true tourbillon watch could expect to pay anything from €50,000 to €60,000 and upwards. Some of our competitors “boast” of watches that cost many multiples of those prices.

For that reason, we are pleased to offer the new Slimline Tourbillon Manufacture models starting at just €26,500 for the stainless steel version, and €28,500 for the 18-karat rose gold bezel version.

If you’d like additional information on our Slimline Tourbillon Manufacture range, please visit our website, of if you prefer, you can contact us directly. Enquiries can be directed to Mrs. Yasmina Pedrini through her e-mail address: pedrini@frederique-constant.com.

What is Accessible Luxury?

Manufacture Calibers are a Luxury Differentiator

By definition accessible luxury refers to items of luxury which are available at an accessible price, however to some the idea of accessibility seems alien when the subject of luxury is discussed. Take for example the undiscerning buyer who might have the financial wherewithal to purchase an expensive product without understanding the finer details about its intrinsic qualities. This sort of person merely understands luxury products as expensive items which are largely unavailable to most. With this in mind, why should anyone want a luxury item which is available to a greater number of people at an accessible price?

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The answer to this question lies with the discerning buyer of luxury purchases, who understands that luxury products are not just about their prices alone but mostly about the quality of the item being purchased. Quality refers to the constituent materials used in making the product, the finesse and extent of the craftsmanship involved and the reputation of the brand behind the product.

With items such as luxury watches, it is widely known that the best items in this niche are largely made in Geneva, Switzerland, an area renowned for its watchmaking practices and innovations which have held the attention of those who understand the nature of timepieces for centuries. However, some brands have taken advantage of this reputation to develop expensive products on a purely commercial basis which limits the purchase of such items to a very few, including buyers who view the cost factor as the sole criterion for identifying items of luxury.

These practices are usually justified as being due to the rarity of the watches in question, the number of items made for a particular collection as well as cost of precious materials used in their manufacture.

Still a watch buyer should always be able to relate the cost of a product with the value of the item being purchased. At Frederique Constant, our focus is creating luxury timepieces with an intrinsic value usually greater than the offer price of the products being sold. Intrinsic value involves the quality of product both in terms of design, materials used in manufacture and adherence to Swiss watchmaking standards as well as traditions.

Our timepieces are exclusively manufactured by hand while the processes involved are regulated with the latest precision equipment available in the industry backed by years of research & development. We recruit passionate watchmakers from time honored watch making schools whose reputations are an intricate part of Swiss watchmaking history.

Unlike a number of other brands worn for the name recognition and price tag alone, you will rarely find a Frederique Constant watch in the hands of an individual who is not a connoisseur of finer points of watches and life in general.

Frederique Constant offers watches as an accessible luxury while maintaining a perfect and delicate balance in terms of pricing, quality and availability. Making watches with a beautiful design and of quality is our passion. Lovers of the brand, and what it stands for, are partners in this shared passion

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for fine timepieces.

Thank you for your attention. Please feel to contact me and share your thoughts. Thank you in advance.

Peter Stas

Manufacture Tourbillon Grand Feu Celebrating the fifth anniversary of the Frederique Constant Manufacture in Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva

Frédérique Constant is proud to introduce its new Manufacture Tourbillon Grand Feu. With its hand-enameled dial this will certainly become a highly sought-after rarity. Genuine enamel dials are nowadays made by only a handful of manufacturers with an incredibly rich tradition.

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Enameling is an ancient technique where finely powdered colored glass is applied to a metal plate. The metal plate with the glass powder is then backed in an oven, hot enough to melt the glass. This enameling process produces a beautiful deep, shiny surface.

Only few of the applied plates will survive the 900+ degree Celsius fire in

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the oven and produce an even surface. The slightest imperfection in the mixed powder, the supporting metal plate or a dust speckle will ruin the dial and the enameller has to start all over again.

Manufacture Tourbillon Caliber

Based on its award-winning Heart Beat Manufacture Calibre, Frédérique Constant developed its Tourbillon fully in-house with a number of unique features:

• Silicium (or Silicon) Escapement Wheel and lever


• Smart Weight Balancing


• Fast Oscillation at 28’800 BpH


• Tourbillon Cage individually numbered

 

 

Silicium (or Silicon) Escapement Wheel

The Silicium Escapement Wheel and Lever have the following three main advantages:

Improvement	Benefit
Lubricant-free running	1.  Age-related thinning and drying of lubrication will no longer occur

2.  An escapement wheel without oiling avoids the risk that oil spreads to other parts of the movement.Very light (low inertia)The escapement wheel is accelerated and

stopped at each tick and tock of the watch.

The lower weight silicium escapement wheel

has lower inertia, increasing energy efficiency.Good friction propertiesLower friction reduces loss of energy, hence

the energy requirement for the calibre is lower.

With its three main advantages compared to a regular escapement wheel, a Silicium escapement wheel is particularly useful in a Tourbillon mechanism.  The reduced weight of the Silicium escapement wheel and the better friction properties result in a substantially higher energy efficiency. As a result, the Frédérique Constant Tourbillon with Silicium escapement wheel has an amplitude of over 300 degrees in dial-up and dial-down positions. Even in the crown-down position, the amplitude is over 275 degrees, which is substantially better than the performance of other high-end tourbillons.

Smart Weight Balancing

The Frédérique Constant Tourbillon Cage consists of 80 individual parts. Each of these parts is produced to the highest possible tolerance, with a precision of 1-2 micron (0.001-0.002 mm). Many of the parts are produced on Frédérique Constant’s ultra precise CNC machines in Plan-les-Ouates. These CNC machines of the latest custom-made generation have a tolerance of 1 micron on the X and Y axes and 2 micron on the Z axe. Even with such a high degree of precision, it is impossible to have a 100% equal distribution of weight in the individual parts; for a Tourbillon to run accurately, an equal distribution of weight is essential. Frédérique Constant solved this problem by the patented “Smart Screw” system on the outer edge of the Tourbillon cage. At first, the Tourbillon cage is constructed with a slight over-weight opposite the Smart Screw system on the main Cage Wheel. Thereafter, a highly skilled watchmaker is able to balance the weight into the center of the Tourbillon cage by adding or exchanging tiny metal rings under the two screws on the main cage wheel. Typically, 8 hours are required for a watchmaker to adjust the tiny rings and balance the weight perfectly for the entire Tourbillon cage.

Fast Oscillation

The Frédérique Constant Tourbillon runs at 4 Hertz whereby the balance wheel beats 28’800 times per hour. Hence, in a Frédérique Constant Tourbillon, the balance wheel swings 28,800 times an hour and the gear train moves forward 691,200 times in 24 hours. In four years, this represents over one billion(!) impulses.

Most competing Tourbillons run at 3 Hertz only. The higher ‘Beats per Hour’ (BpH) enable a higher accuracy of the Tourbillon caliber. The higher oscillation also makes the caliber less susceptible to gyration effects.

Individually Numbered

Each Tourbillon cage is individually numbered to show the Limited Edition of 188 pieces. The minuscule top plate in the center of the Tourbillon cage is sequentially numbered during production on the Frédérique Constant CNC machine. The number on the cage will match the Limited Edition number on the case, making the combination of calibre and case unique.

Frederique Constant - Une Manufacture à coeur ouvert

Voici un article sur la Manufacture Frédérique Constant paru dans la Revue des Montres en Mars 2011.

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Live your Passion

Frederique Constant in WatchWorld Magazine

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Great cover article about Frederique Constant in WatchWorld Magazine, one of the leading watch magazines in Europe!

To read the article, click here

 

First edition of the Frederique Constant Sales Manager Training Days

During two days, we have received in our Frederique Constant Headquarters in Geneva, our sales managers from all around the world! USA, Dubai, Turkey, Russia, France, Holland, Poland, Hungary, Germany and many more were au rendez vous![[MORE]]

The event has been fruitful and elevating, as we had the opportunity to exchange knowledge and to get to know each other better. We do hope they all similarly enjoyed it and that they will benefit from what we presented to all of them.



Here are few comments from different participants:

Thank you very much for the opportunity to visit you in Genève as it was quite a knowledgeable experience.
It was great to meet all our colleagues from around the world and listen to their input on how to sell more watches. I can say that I have seen a fantastic group!
Best wishes to all,
Michael from Florida


Dear Sirs,
I'd like to thank you for the fantastic Training Days in Geneva, full of input and inspiration for the work we are doing everyday.
The nice dinner with the amazing view of Lake Geneva was great, it was a perfect platform to learn more about our team and to make conversation.
Already now I am looking forward for the next Training Days, next year!
Thank you and best regards.
Alireza from Germany

Dear all,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you one more time for the great time we had in Geneva. I personnaly really enjoyed meeting everybody, share all those experiences and I am defenitely more than happy to be a part of such a team, so motivated to promote Frédérique Constant around the world.

Thanks again,

Henry from France

Dear Friends,

I would like to return thanks to Frederique Constant for the great days we could spend in Geneva! We picked up profitable information from the team of the Brand and the Managers from all over the world! I hope you share the same feelings with me.

Kindest regards,
Kriszta from Hungaria

 

Hi there,

I would like to thank you as well for all the time and effort you put into this meeting (and the Sales Bible).

Thank you

Inge from Belgium

Dear Friends,

I think our slogan fits very well here,

One Team -- One Dream!

Thanks for this nice weekend!

Patrick from The Netherlands

 

Dear Friends,

It was pleasure for me  to be with all of you in this training.

It was very useful and I hope it will help us to increase the sales and to presentFrederique Constant better.

Thanks for the nice time, which we spend together.

Nikolay from Bulgaria

View Frederique Constant on TimeTV.com!

Now, you can discover the Maxime Manufacture Automatic, the Runabout Chrono-Automatic and the Love Heart Beat, presented by Frédérique Constant CEO Peter Stas on TimeTV.com.

Please follow this link for direct access:

http://www.thetimetv.com/index.php?bcpid=1859671254&bclid=1460932187&bctid=18815431001

For more movies, please go to www.frederique-constant.tv

Positive comments on brand new Maxime Manufacture

From the forum on www.EquationOfTime.com:

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>> You know, initially I was going to say "boring!"... But then I got to thinking... Most current trends are to OVERSIZE, OVERSTUFF, OVERDESIGN! and this watch is the antithesis of those very concepts. I think part of my initial reaction was antipathy toward a maker with whom I am completely unfamiliar. This watch is classic, if a little monotone. The movement is beautiful. Yeah, I would not mind owning this. And I totally dig the radial numerals...!

>> I'll wind enthusiastically. I'd like to see a central seconds hand and perhaps a nibbled 5 & 7, but otherwise find little which requires complaint.

>>Awesome!!!! Love the Movement!!!!

>>No, not boring..... Especially that movement. Looks like a fairly unique balance regulation device there. The dial might have too many different textures, but I'd have to see it in person. I don't see the "old school Hamilton" thing, but it could be one of the VERY few radial numeral dials I could actually like!

 

>>Great back, great crown and a great dial, except for that date subdial. It's probably just me but I think it's really difficult to do the date radially like that. Whether the numerals go around the entire face or just a subdial, to me it's always looks jumbled. Date wheels, especially when matched to the dial, are a good thing.

>>Gorgeous design... I mean, really... that thing is a stunner.

Need we say more...?

 

 

Announcement of the joint winners of the second Passion Awards

Geneva, 12th June 2008: During the prize-giving ceremony, the Frédérique Constant brand announced the name of the joint winners of the second Passion Awards. "Live your passion!" For the watchmakers at Frédérique Constant, this remains a fundamental factor in the success of any company. Armed with this conviction, the manufacture decided to encourage achievements of passionate men and women who have been able to develop their ideas, moving quickly from an innovative concept to a fast-expanding company.[[MORE]]
It was in the presence of the ten finalists and in front of an audience of 800 handpicked guests, that the second Passion Awards prize-giving ceremony took place Thursday June12th. During a very passionate concert by the Chamber Orchestra of Geneva, Peter and Aletta Stas, both passionate about watch-making and kind-hearted entrepreneurs of the Frédérique Constant brand, honoured two prize-winners chosen from among the ten international candidates in contention for the Passion Awards:

* Pierre Marcolini is the founder and CEO of Pierre Marcolini Chocolatier. Belgian by nationality, Italian by origin, Pierre Marcolini Chocolatier is the known producer of « Haute Couture » chocolate. Created in 1995, the company now counts over 15 flagship stores around the world. A meteoric success that is the result of excellence, audacity, and a passion for all things gourmet.
*
Laura Cotton is the founder of Paint a Smile, a Foundation dedicated to the improvement of hospital environments. After a tragic accident in her family, she decided to dedicate her life to the improvement of the hospital environment. Paint a Smile’s mission is to reduce the anxiety and de-dramatize a stay in hospital by permanently transforming the cold and impersonal environment into a colorful and welcoming world. Today, Laura Cotton is the passionate President of the Foundation.
The jury, made up of Peter and Aletta Stas, respectively CEO and COO of Frédérique Constant, Dominique Turpin, marketing and strategy professor from the IMD Institute of Lausanne, Carlo Lamprecht, Former Chairman of the State Council of Geneva and Dr. Haig Simonian, Bureau Chief of the Financial Times in Switzerland, hailed Pierre Marcolini and Laura Cotton for their enthusiasm and passion. The prize-winners companies will receive a personalised case study by Professor Dominique Turpin from the IMD of Lausanne on the subject of their choice, as well as a gold Frédérique Constant Heart Beat Manufacture watch. The ten participants retained received a steel Heart Beat Manufacture watch.

The Financial Times is the Passion Award’s official media partner. The Passion Awards Ceremony and Concert was organized in partnership with Fortis and ABN AMRO.

Criteria and Process for the Award are clearly outlined on the Frédérique Constant Passion Award website (www.passion-awards.com). There are no restrictions of gender, age or nationality of candidates. Submissions from Social Entrepreneurs were also welcome.

Sir Richard Branson offers his Frédérique Constant watch for charity

Over 3000 guests gathered at the Hangar in Brisbane for the star studded evening hosted by Global Entrepreneur and Virgin Group Chairman, Sir Richard Branson, The Hon. Anna Bligh, Premier of Queensland and Virgin Blue Chief Executive, Brett Godfrey.

Following a candlelit dinner from 8pm when event organizers switched off the lights for Earth Hour along with millions of people in some of the world’s major capital cities, entertainers Marcia Hines, Rogue Traders, Evermore and Housequake kept the crowd on the dance floor until the early hours of Sunday morning.

Nearly $1 million was raised on the night for projects and initiatives under the theme ‘Indigenous Peoples, Natural Environment’. Amongst the array of 'money can't usually buy' items in the mega charity auction, were two Frederique Constant timepieces worn by Sir Richard and Elka. Sir Richard’s Limited Edition timepiece from the High Life Collection is a signature piece from the brand featuring the unique ‘heart beat’ movement.

The ‘Heart Beat’ watch first developed by Frederique Constant in 1994 features a dial opening revealing the mechanical movement (or its “beating” heart). In 2004, after three years of research and development, Frederique Constant presented its first in-house movement, the ‘Heart Beat Manufacture.’ The company has since become a member of the small and exclusive group of Swiss watch manufacturers that produce their own calibres.

Frederique Constant is distributed in Australasia by the AVSTEV Group. Steven Rom, CEO, AVSTEV Group, acquired the distribution rights to the brand in 2006.

First Manufacture Movie

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Introducing Frederique Constant Clear VisionTM

Genève, August 2007: Frédérique Constant introduces new Collection with Clear VisionTM technology. Self-activated light sources enable clear visibility during the entire night that is 100 times brighter than any previously available.[[MORE]] The light-emitting devices, also known as light tubes, require no battery power or any other form of external power supply, do not require the push of a button, never need servicing or  maintenance, and have a useful life of more than 20 years.

Frédérique Constant Clear VisionTM timepieces are top quality, Swiss Made, and extremely robust and functional. Moreover, they are equipped with the very best illumination technology available today. The “working principle” of the light-emitting devices on the Frédérique Constant Clear VisionTM timepieces is comparable to that of a conventional television tube. A very thin layer of luminous matter is applied to a glass surface. The layer is bombarded with electrons emitted by the tritium gas (H3), which cause the layer to light up. Whilst in a television tube, the electrons are generated electronically through the use of a cathode, with the Clear VisionTM self-activated light sources, the necessary electrons are created through the radioactive disintegration of tritium. The tritium decays to helium and in the process emits a low energy electron. The disintegrating electrons of the tritium have a range of just 1-3 mm in air and an energy of only 18 keV that is not sufficient to penetrate or leave the sealed glass tube of a Clear VisionTM self-activated light source. The ability to manufacture Clear VisionTM self-activated light sources is the result of decades of research and development work in the field of radio luminescence.

Clear VisionTM is registered Trademark of Frédérique Constant.
The new Frédérique Constant Index collection with Clear VisionTMself-activated light sources is comprised of five models. All models are powered by the delicately decorated FC-303 automatic calibre, beating at 28’800 Bph and viewable via a see through case back. The design of these classical models is ultra clean and functional.  Watches are presented on hand-sewn leather straps as well as on sporty elegant stainless steel  bracelets. The straps are fine-tuned to the colour of the dial and are available in light brown, dark brown, and black. Frédérique Constant revisited its stainless steel bracelets and put emphasis on their improved comfort and smoothness.