Swiss luxury watch brand Frederique Constant adds to two new models into the iconic Heart Beat watch Collection.
The first Heartbeat timepiece was launched in 1994. As the name suggests, each timepiece from this collection boasts an aperture at the position of the balance wheel to show the beauty of the mechanical movement, of its “heartbeat”.
In 2004, the brand launched its first ever in-house movement, which happened to be a Heart Beat Manufacture movement. Major changes were applied to this new watch such as shifting the “heartbeat” to 6 o’clock which required massive watch-making craftsmanship and propelled the collection to a higher degree of technique and elegance. In the following years, several modifications were made to the original design that awarded the brand with 9 new models.
Considered the flagship collection of the brand, in 2006, Frederique Constant presented the Heart Beat Manufacture Automatic FC-930 featuring an automatic in-house developed, in-house produced and in-house assembled manufacture caliber. Today, the brand proposes the same iconic model with a new, refreshed dial, still displaying the emblematic Roman numerals, and the recognizable aperture at 6 o’clock. The manufacturing process of the FC-930 movement has also been upgraded using newer techniques, currently used in all manufacture calibers, to become a more reliable instrument and featuring the latest FC-930-2 in-house caliber.
The celebration continues with a brand new Heart Beat Manufacture, holding an automatic manufacture caliber, the FC-941. Despite supporting the same name as its ancestors, this model features major changes which bring this classical watch into a more modern era, but remaining true to its timeless appearance.
At first glance, the watch honors its origins, especially with the 42mm case, which allowed the incorporation of an additional function of “date by hand” at 12 o’clock, compared to the hour, minutes function on the FC-930. The navy blue-colored dial gives the watch new depths and a more sophisticated look.
The movement carries on the tradition of being in-house developed, produced and assembled; the wide aperture at 6 o’clock reveals the heart of the movement with its escapement made out of the innovative silicium material, which allows the movement to run smoothly, assuring a long-lasting life.
As for most Manufacture timepieces, all functions are easily adjustable via the crown and its see-through back-case lets you peak at the highly decorated movement featuring the intricate Perlage and circular Côtes de Genève.
Reference: FC-930MS4H6
Case
Polished stainless steel 3-parts case, diameter of 41mm
Convex sapphire crystal
See-through back-case
Water-resistant to 5 ATM
Movement
FC-930-2 Heart Beat Manufacture automatic caliber
Perlage& Circular Côtes de Genève decoration on the movement
26 jewels, 42 hours power reserve, 28’800 alt/h
Functions
Hours and minutes
Dial
Silver-colored dial, with printed Roman numerals and guillochée details in the center
Hand-polished black-colored hands
Bracelet
Light Brown Alligator strap
Reference: FC-941NS4H6
Case
Polished stainless steel 3-parts case, diameter of 42mm
Convex sapphire crystal
See-through back-case
Water-resistant to 5 ATM
Movement
FC-941 Heart Beat Manufacture automatic caliber
Perlage& Circular Côtes de Genève decoration on the movement
25 jewels, 42 hours power reserve, 28’800 alt/h
Functions
Hours, minutes, date by hand
Dial
Navy blue-colored dial, with printed Roman numerals
The center dial features a guilloche-style decoration
The 12 o’clock dial displays a sunray effect
Hand-polished white hands with white luminous
Bracelet
Navy blue alligator strap
