SpotlightFrederique Constant Debuts Its Revolutionary Slimline Monolithic Manufacture Timepiece
The new Frederique Constant Slimline Monolithic Manufacture timepiece, equipped with a cutting-edge silicon oscillator paves the way for a major breakthrough in the field of mechanical watchmaking
May We Recommend
Swiss luxury watchmaker Frederique Constant boasts an illustrious resume embellished with many technical innovations. The company have not only developed 29 in-house calibres but were also among the first few Swiss luxury players to ride the smartwatch wave, and have time and again challenged the tenets of haute horlogerie with their technical prowess. Their latest offering—the Slimline Monolithic Manufacture, launched during a digital press conference as part of Watches and Wonders 2021, is a prodigious feat of engineering that explores new realms of possibilities. At its heart is a monolithic silicon oscillator that replaces the traditional assortment of almost 26 components, which were essential for mechanical movements.
Looking at the history of watchmaking, traditionally the standard assortment comprised mainspring, balance wheel and hairspring, gear train, and escapement. This structure remained fixed amidst innumerable technical advancements since the 1700s. However, Frederique Constant’s introduction of the silicon oscillator has dramatically simplified the mechanical workings.
It is to be noted that Frederique Constant is not the first brand to recognise silicon’s adaptability in watchmaking. Back in 2001, Ulysse Nardin’s Freak made a bold statement by using silicon in its escapement. Swiss luxury watchmaker Girard-Perregaux launched its Constant Escapement featuring a silicon blade in 2008 and started selling it commercially in 2013. And four years later, Zenith’s Defy Lab followed suit by featuring a silicon escapement.
Mechanism And The Material
The Frederique Constant Slimline Monolithic employs a compliant or flexible mechanism to function smoothly. As the name suggests ‘monolithic’, the idea is to use a single-piece construction (with no joints or pivots) designed to bend or flex. It does not only get rid of the complex mechanical system comprising a number of parts but also uses the elastic properties of silicon that greatly improve the overall functioning of the watch since it’s resistant to magnetic fields and has anti-corrosive properties.
One might also question the reliability of silicon as a material. But it is to be noted that even though stainless steel is largely regarded as a watchmaking-friendly material, it comes with a plethora of problems. Temperature deviation, magnetism, and the friction, caused by movements of body parts, can impact the performance of any timepiece. Silicon as a component is immune to these three main issues. Additionally, silicon is extremely hard and therefore, does not require any kind of lubrication that traditional mechanical watch movements needed.
Peter Stas, former CEO and co-founder of Frederique Constant wanted to create a unique oscillating system that was cost-effective, offered the highest frequency, coupled with an 80-hour power reserve. And most importantly, it could fit inside the standard movement (40mm). He found a collaborator in Dr Nima Tolou, founder and CEO of Flexuous, an independent innovative horology-oriented technology branch of YES!Delft—specialising in compliant or flexible mechanisms.
Understanding The Anatomy Of Slimline Monolithic
Traditionally all mechanical watches featured some form of a lever escapement. Even though minor modifications were done over the last two centuries, the standard functioning remained unchanged. Frederique Constant’s dexterously engineered monolithic oscillator replaces 26 components with a single piece of silicon fitted with two adjustable weights that act as the escapement. This implies that there is no mainspring, no balance wheel, and no pallet fork. Due to the lack of mechanical couplings, there is lower friction between the parts. It results in lesser consumption of power in driving the escapement wheel.
In fact, it oscillates at an astonishing speed of 288,000vph, or 40Hz which is 10 times faster than any mechanical watch. This led to the realisation that the traditional gear train could not cope up with the high speed of 40Hz. Therefore, Frederique Constant designed a completely new (30th addition in their cluster), swanky base movement—automatic calibre FC-810—equipped to perform with the speed of the new silicon oscillator. The entire kinetic chain had to be re-engineered, and the gear train has been fitted with four wheels between the barrel and the escape pinion, instead of the three wheels found in a conventional movement.
Frederique Constant have employed cutting-edge technology to achieve some key innovations. The traditional balance wheel—critical for the accuracy of any mechanical watch, owing to its oscillations—inspired the design of the new flexible pivot oscillator. An intense combination of flexures and masses has been used to design this oscillator. It is also for the first time that the entire escapement anchor, traditionally used to regulate the escape wheel, has now been incorporated into the oscillator, thus reducing the size of the setup.
In terms of the silhouette, Frederique Constant have taken a more classic approach. The three variants that were unveiled share a common form of 40mm, three-part case and feature the traditional guilloché clous de Paris decoration with printed Roman numerals and Breguet-style hands. For those who want to make a sartorial statement, the three dials (two silver coloured and one blue) offer a versatility, and are perfect for any ensemble or occasion. One can also get a glimpse into the workings of the groundbreaking oscillator via an open heart at six o’clock. The pointer date at 12 o’clock adds more character to the dials. On flipping the watch an exhibition caseback offers a clear view of the automatic FC-810 calibre composed of 130 components and 19 jewels. Further enhancing its look is the traditional decoration that combines Geneva stripes with applied perlage finishing.
Touted as one of the most ingenious mechanical concepts by Frederique Constant, this model is relatively affordable. It is available in three limited editions: 810 pieces in stainless steel with a blue dial and 810 pieces in stainless steel with a silver-hued dial.
Shop The Story
-
Frederique Constant Manufacture
FC-810MC3S9
-
Frederique Constant Manufacture
FC-810MC3S6
-
Frederique Constant Manufacture
FC-810MCN3S6
