This new Classic Tourbillon Manufacture limited edition watch in 18K rose gold was unveiled at the 2023 Watches and Wonders exhibition in Geneva to mark the 35th anniversary of Frederique Constant.

Developed entirely in-house and hand-assembled, this special edition Classic Tourbillon Manufacture features a 39-millimetre 18K rose gold case, available in a limited edition of just 150 watches.

Founded in 1988, Frederique Constant is celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2023. To mark this milestone, the Geneva Maison has created a new interpretation of its Manufacture tourbillon.

First unveiled 15 years ago in 2008, the FC-980 movement immediately became one of the firm’s showcase developments, and has been used to power this brand-new Classics Tourbillon Manufacture.

The new Classics Tourbillon Manufacture therefore honours the finest traditions of watchmaking art right down to the very last detail.

Previously offered in a 42mm diameter, all Classics Manufacture timepieces will now be housed in a 39mm case in a new style featuring modern, harmonious curves, for maximum comfort on the wrist. The tourbillon reigns in majesty at 6 o’clock.

Developed in-house the Frederique Constant manufacture tourbillon incorporates a silicon escapement wheel and anchor. This design choice allows owners to benefit from a non-magnetic movement unaffected by variations in temperature, thus helping to ensure the watch stays accurate.

A discreet hand passing above the tourbillon cage marks off the seconds. The cage itself – made of 81 components – is engraved with the individual serial number of the watch, also to be found on the rim of the sapphire caseback.

Through the transparent case-back, one can admire the decorations of the FC-980 caliber, such as bevelling, beading, circular graining, straight-grained flanks and mirror polishing. This automatic mechanical movement has a 38-hour power reserve.

For 2023, Frederique Constant has revisited its Classics Tourbillon Manufacture, giving it a new, more refined look. Since 2008, the tourbillon aperture has had a distinctive ‘comma’ shape – a style allowing it to fit snugly into the dial in dynamic and unusual fashion. For this edition, however, the comma has been replaced by a perfect circle.

On the dial with applied hour markers, hand-polished golden hands (redesigned to be narrower and longer) move smoothly over the anthracite grey sun-brushed surface. In addition, the hour markers and hands now feature diamond cut edges, ensuring the brightest gleam possible.

The Classics Tourbillon Manufacture comes on a dark matte brown leather strap sporting a deployment clasp with the Frederique Constant coat-of-arms, especially reserved for Manufacture pieces.

The suggested retail price of the Frederique Constant Classic Tourbillon Manufacture 35th Anniversary watch is 25’995€.

Technical details

Model: Frederique Constant Classic Tourbillon Manufacture 35th Anniversary Edition
Reference FC-980G3H9

Functions
Hours, Minutes, 60 Seconds tourbillon

Movement
FC-980 in-house caliber, automatic
Chamfering (anglage), circular graining (perlage & cerclage), flanks drawing
(étirage des flancs), mirror polishing (poli miroir) decorations
Silicon escapement wheel and anchor
38-hour power reserve, 28’800 alt/h, 33 jewels

Case
Polished 18K rose gold 3-part case
Diameter of 39 mm
Height of 10.99 mm
Scratch-resistant and anti-reflective convex sapphire crystal
See-through case back
Water-resistant up to 3 ATM/30m/100ft

Dial
Grey dial with sunray finishing
Applied diamond cut indexes
Hand-polished rose gold plated hour and minute hands
Heart Beat opening at 6 o’clock with 60 seconds tourbillon, rose gold plated second hand

Strap
Dark brown alligator leather strap with matt finishing

Edition
Limited to 150 pieces

Recommended retail price
25’995€