Frederique Constant

Introducing the Frederique Constant Classics Heart Beat Manufacture Limited Edition

by Cheryl Chia . Aug 29, 2022

Frederique Constant

Introducing the Frederique Constant Classics Heart Beat Manufacture Limited Edition

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The Low-Down

Today Frederique Constant has become something of an industrial powerhouse known for its ability to produce high complications such as perpetual calendars and tourbillons at highly accessible prices, but the Classics Heart Beat remains a cornerstone of the brand, and one that has marked its evolution over the years. Launched in 1994, the Classic Heart Beat was the brand’s posterchild during the mechanical renaissance. It came by its name for bearing a distinct aperture on the dial that exposed the heart of a mechanical watch – the pulsing balance wheel.

Thereafter, and earlier than many of its contemporaries, Frederique Constant began development of its first manufacture movement, the FC-910 caliber, which made its debut in the Heart Beat model in 2004. A few years later, the movement was replaced by the first self-winding calibre, the FC-930. Since then, the Heart Beat Manufacture has remained a staple in the catalogue in a variety of forms including the Silicium Heart Beat equipped with a silicon escapement which was launched in 2014 to mark 10 years of the model. It is worth noting that the brand continues to produce the Heart Beat with a self-winding Sellita movement, distinguished by the balance being located at 12 o’clock instead of six, alongside the Heart Beat Manufacture. Today Frederique Constant has unveiled a pair of Classics Heart Beat Manufacture limited editions with an entirely new look.

Frederique Constant Classics Heart Beat Manufacture Limited Edition, Ref. FC-930EM3H6 (Steel)

While the Heart Beat Manufacture has been produced in 42mm over the past years, the new model sees a return to the original case diameter of 39mm with a height of 10.29mm, which is a tad more consistent with its classic styling. Available in steel and pink gold, the three-part case is entirely polished and retains the fluted onion-shaped crown.

Frederique Constant Classics Heart Beat Manufacture Limited Edition, Ref. FC-930EM3H9 (Pink gold)

The more significant aspects of the facelift, however, are in the dial. Since 2004, the balance bridge that doubles as an aperture on the dial has been shaped like a “comma”, but it has now been replaced by a perfect circle, which ensures a beautiful symmetry across the dial. The printed elongated numerals are also slimmer and more elegant, paired with a black pear-shaped hour hand and a slender leaf-shaped minute hand. The dial is finished in white lacquer, incorporating an inner as well as outer railroad track, which elevates the watch as a whole.

The Heart Beat Manufacture Limited Edition features the most attractive dial design of the model to date, with slim, elegant Roman numerals, bookended by a pair of railroad minute tracks and a circular aperture at six o’clock, spotlighting the balance wheel.

Inside is the same self-winding calibre FC-930-3. Even though a seconds hand is not applied in this watch, the calibre was actually designed as a central seconds movement, enabling it great versatility. It runs at a frequency of 4Hz and offers a 38-hour power reserve. The bridges of the calibre are decorated with Geneva stripes and the main plate is circular-grained. It is wound by a rose-gold plated rotor that has been skeletonized, enabling the balance to remain entirely visible from both the front and back of the watch.

The rose gold-plated oscillating weight has been openworked to provide an unobstructed view of the balance even on the back of the watch.

IMHO

The Classics Heart Beat Manufacture is, without a doubt, the most elegant and compelling iteration of what is arguably Frederique Constant’s most iconic model. The dial has a formal and timeless design without being too staid while a smaller case diameter reconciles its proportions with its classical design. Overall, it makes for a very thoughtful update to a reference that serves as a reminder of how far the brand has come.

With its smaller proportions and pleasing symmetry, the changes in the limited edition represent appreciable improvements to the brand’s most emblematic model.

Tech Specs

Reference: FC-930EM3H6 (Steel) and FC-930EM3H9 (Pink gold)
Movement: Automatic FC-930-3 caliber; 38-hour power reserve, 4Hz (28,800 vph)
Functions: Hours and minutes
Case: Steel or 18K pink gold; 39 mm x 10.29 mm
Dial: White lacquered dial with black printed Roman numerals
Strap: Brown alligator leather strap with brown stitching
Limited Edition: 930 (Steel) and 93 (Pink gold)
Price and availability: USD 4,395 (Steel) and USD 17,995 (Pink gold)

The Low-Down

IMHO

Tech Specs

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