Frederique Constant
Introducing Frederique Constant × Revolution Slimline Monolithic FP(S)
Frederique Constant
Introducing Frederique Constant × Revolution Slimline Monolithic FP(S)
Mega Monolith
I like to think that the sound accompanying my mind exploding when my friend Pim Koeslag, Frederique Constant’s former technical director (and incidentally new owner of Dutch brand Christiaan van der Klaauw), showed me the Monolithic is akin to the final cannon salvo in ACDC’s “For Those about to Rock.” This, of course, occurred as he explained, “Wei, with this Monolithic oscillator, we’ve replaced 26 separate components including the escapement, the balance wheel, the hairspring and the anti-shock.” He then emphatically spelled out the advantages of the Monolithic oscillator to me.
Says Koeslag, “We discussed it and said, ‘OK if we do this, we want to push the performance to the extreme.’ So we decided on the 40 hertz vibrational speed, which is far faster than any other regular production wristwatch on the planet. And we had to focus on achieving a higher standard of chronometric performance.” The first thing they had to do was find a way to effectively regulate the oscillator. They achieved this by adding two small weights which are used to change the inertia of the balance. Koeslag explains, “Even the most minute position change for these elements results in a huge difference in timing performance. So we really had to develop our own expertise at regulating them.” This, in combination with the high-speed laser camera, allows watchmakers to fine-tune the timepieces.
One of the things I find most fascinating about the Monolithic is that the entire oscillator is not fixed by any axis to the movement. Instead, it is held in place by the stunning bridge which acts as a framework that retains it. The framework also acts to prevent the oscillator from bending to the point of breakage, a bit like an anti-shock device. Only the small silicon escapement wheel is fixed on an axis. When in motion, the oscillator’s movement is just barely perceptible. However, one look at the seconds hand tells you if the watch is in motion. On that note, at 80 beats per second, the hand looks like it is floating mysteriously around the circumference of the dial.
Says Koeslag with a laugh, “Occasionally, we get comparisons to the Grand Seiko Spring Drive seconds hand, but I have to explain that watch has no oscillator, our seconds hand is moving to the beat of ours — it’s just so fast, it’s almost impossible to see.”
Tech Specs
Frederique Constant × Revolution Slimline Monolithic FP(S)
Movement: Self-winding caliber FC-810; 80-hour power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes and seconds
Case: 40mm; stainless steel; water resistant to 30m
Dial: Salmon colored grené sector-style; oversized applied Breguet numerals
Strap: Black calf leather with nubuck finishing and deployant buckle; additional gray calf leather strap
Price: EUR 4,450 NET
Availability: Limited edition of 100 pieces
*This product also integrates patented solutions licensed from LVMH Group.