Frederique Constant unveils new limited-edition Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar
In light of their 35th anniversary, Frederique Constant is releasing 35 pieces of a highly limited-edition Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar as part of the Highlife collection.
When two becomes one. For Frederique Constant, it means bringing two complications into one highly limited-edition watch. The occasion seemed only fitting considering the young manufactory is celebrating its 35th anniversary as well as the 15th anniversary of its Manufacture tourbillon.
Designed as part of Frederique Constant’s Highlife collection, the limited-edition Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar is a new Manufacture version housed in an 18-carat rose gold case with a 41mm diameter. In addition, standard to every Highlife piece where the watch comes with at least one additional strap, the limited-edition Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar includes interchangeable leather and rubber straps. One can easily switch (tool-free!) between a classic or sporty look in a matter of seconds.
THE DETAILS: READABILITY
On the front, the Frederique Constant Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar sports a deep blue dial that has been meticulously designed for optimal readability on every level. The various dial sectors each feature their own specific finishing (satin or sunburst) while the hours and minutes hand match the case’s colour. Further, both hands are coated with luminous materials for great visibility even under less than ideal lighting conditions.
THE DETAILS: PERPETUAL CALENDAR
The day and date indications are placed at 9- and 3 o’clock positions respectively, each with its own hand. In between them sits the month indication at the 12 o’clock position, with two hands instead for the purpose of taking possible leap years into consideration. This additional hand complements the month hand to indicate leap years on a scale running from 1 to 3, plus an ‘L’ in the event it is a leap year.
THE DETAILS: TOURBILLON
At the 6 o’clock position is the tourbillon completing the complex arrangement. It is housed beneath a cut-out characteristic of the Maison’s style, featuring an upper indentation so that it fits snugly into the perpetual calendar layout. This expansive aperture reveals the sophisticated escapement for which a patent application of it was first filed in 1801. Each piece’s individual serial number is engraved and can be found on the seconds hand that glides above the balance wheel, blued screws, and baseplate with its gold finish.
THE REST
Turn the Frederique Constant Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar behind and one can admire the sapphire caseback, revealing the working intricacies of the FC-875 Manufacture calibre. Decorated with circular grained and Côtes de Genève finishes, it boasts a 38-hour power reserve and is guaranteed water-resistant up to 3 ATM.
