FREDERIQUE CONSTANT – CLASSIC MOONPHASE DATE MANUFACTURE

The Classic Moonphase Date Manufacture returns with a highly refined, highly horological version for experienced collectors. And for the first time in the history of the house, the dial is made of shiny malachite. New case, new movement, new indices, new hands, an extended warranty of 5 years and a power reserve practically twice as long (+ 89%): a great rebirth for a model in an edition of just 36 pieces with a 40 mm case made of white gold.

This is the most significant revision of the Classic Moonphase Date Manufacture since its invention, and this stroke of luck is being celebrated with an extremely limited edition in white gold, a true rarity at Frederique Constant. This creation combines the date and moon phase in a single window, and its redesigned indices and hands float for the first time over a mineral malachite dial.

Even though the piece remains true to its traditional positioning and retains its iconic complications, it developed a completely new aesthetic design language with the aim of strengthening the watchmaking prestige, refining the codes and reaffirming the watchmaking dimension with its historical roots. A huge task in many ways.

From a formal point of view, the malachite dial is the most outstanding element of this new model. Apart from a few rare pieces with a dial made of meteorite, this is the first time that a mineral dial has been used at Frederique Constant. Malachite is a rather soft rock and represents renewal with its light green to almost black grooves. It was chosen for its diverse nuances that add a unique touch to the green dial trend.

Two complications meet at 6 o’clock: the date and moon phase are concentrated in a single counter. The upper part opens over the course of the moon, which, matching the white gold case, is emblazoned in silver against a grey-green starry sky. In the middle there is an extremely thin silver needle that rotates from 1 to 31 to display the date. This combination of moon phase and date leaves plenty of space for the dial, which is made to shine by the malachite stone. Hands and indices have also been revised. The indices, which had become even thinner, were applied. Purists will note that they are slightly shortened at 5 and 7 o’clock due to the date window. The three hand-polished hands in the center follow a new Alpha-type geometry. A new minute track was designed in the traditional railway style, similar to the cannons of the last century.

From a functional point of view, the movement of the Classic Moonphase Date Manufacture, the caliber FC-716, is completely new. This new generation of Manufacture movements allows the power reserve to be increased from 38 to 72 hours using an exclusive barrel. To accommodate this, Frederique Constant had to redesign the architecture of all bridges while maintaining the original dimensions of the caliber family.

Thanks to this tested movement, the warranty was extended from two to five years. It is housed in a housing that now measures just 40 mm in diameter. This 2 mm reduction is unanimously welcomed by collectors who appreciate the size and accuracy of the watch. Now you can look forward to new processing that underlines its uniqueness, especially with a fan-shaped Geneva rib finish. Each piece is individually engraved and numbered and is available with a dark green quilted crocodile leather strap with folding clasp.