SpotlightA Classical Celebration: Frederique Constant Release The Classic Power Reserve Big Date Manufacture Watches At Geneva Watch Days

Geneva-based luxury watchmaker Frederique Constant are known for their constant innovations with movements, having already developed thirty calibres in their limited 35-year existence. To mark this milestone year, the brand showcase their thirty-first calibre at the Geneva Watch Days convention, the FC-735, housed in four new classical timepieces in cases made from platinum, rose gold or stainless steel. Frederique Constant’s latest offering, the Classic Power Reserve Big Date Manufacture, features three complications—a big date, moon phase, and a 50-hour power reserve with an indicator on the dial—all within the affordable Swiss luxury space that the brand have made their own.

Technically, it took Frederique Constant only 19 years to create 31 calibres—their first in-house calibre, the FC-910, was introduced in 2004. This was about a decade after they first introduced a partially-open Heart Beat watch, a pioneer of sorts in the watchmaking world. And, in 2021, they introduced their path-breaking ‘Monolithic’ silicon oscillator, with a power reserve of 80 hours. The point here is that while they are a young manufacture, they’re serious about making luxury affordable to those with an appreciation for it, and all of their innovations take mechanical watchmaking a step forward, making the brand an important player in the industry.

It’s Complicated—The Classic Power Reserve Big Date Manufacture

Two versions of the Classic Power Reserve Big Date Manufacture in 40mm stainless steel cases feature sunray-brushed dials in blue and silver. The dial is decorated with long, slender, dagger hour markers and similarly-finished sword hands. Between eight and 10 o’clock is the power reserve sub-dial marked with the numerals 50, 25 and a zero in red, which indicates when the watch needs to be wound. Between two and three o’clock is the large, double-digit date window, and to balance the entire layout on the dial, a moon-phase indicator sits at six. On the silver timepiece, the starry night sky on the moon-phase indicator stands out in blue, while this very sub-dial offers a watch an almost monochromatic look on the blue model. Both the steel models are paired with matt-finished blue alligator leather straps, and will be available within the brand’s mainstream collection.

The Classic Power Reserve Big Date Manufacture in a 40mm stainless steel case, featuring a sunray-brushed dial in blue. The power reserve sub-dial at nine o'clock indicates when the watch needs to be wound, the double-digit date window is between two and three o'clock, and a moon-phase indicator sits at six

The 18-karat rose gold version is paired with an anthracite-grey sun-brushed dial. Its rose gold-plated hour markers, hands, and other accents on the dial stand out against the grey. Even the moon and stars shine through in rose gold on this timepiece. Paired with a matt-finished dark brown alligator leather strap, this rose gold Classic Power Reserve Big Date Manufacture timepiece is in a limited edition of 350 pieces.

The most exclusive of their latest Classic Power Reserve Big Date Manufacture releases,however, features a platinum case framing a meteorite dial. The fascinating texture on the meteorite dial is embellished by the starry night sky on the sub-dial housing the moon-phase indicator. The platinum timepiece, though, is for the collectors, and is only available in a limited 35-piece run, a nod to brand’s anniversary.

The Classic Power Reserve Big Date Manufacture’s Crowning Glory

Housed within the Classic Power Reserve Big Date Manufacture is the brand’s in-house manufacture movement the FC-735, which beats at a frequency of 28,800vph, and offers a sufficient power reserve of 50 hours. The highlight, though, is that all three complications, as well as time-setting are controlled by a single, beautiful onion shaped crown at three. With no unnecessary pushers or buttons on the case, this clean-looking aesthetic significantly improves the ease of operations, and the wearability, despite the many complications on the watch.

Housed within the Classic Power Reserve Big Date Manufacture timepiece is the brand’s latest in-house manufacture movement the FC-735

₹4,53,600

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All three complications and time-setting are controlled by an onion shaped crown at three, significantly improving the ease of operations and the wearability of the watch

₹4,53,600

Check Our Selling Price

With the Classic Power Reserve Big Date Manufacture, Frederique Constant further cement their position in the accessible luxury segment, while also showcasing how worthy they are to belong to the exclusive world of haute horlogerie.