Frederique Constant has launched a Classic Tourbillon Manufacture model with a Meteorite dial.
2023 marks Frederique Constant’s 35th anniversary and the 15th anniversary of its iconic Tourbillon calibre. Released to mark this milestone, the Classic Tourbillon Meteorite Manufacture features a platinum case and a meteorite dial.
The cut-out in its dial at 6 o’clock reveals the Manufacture tourbillon created by Frederique Constant in 2008. Limited to only 35 pieces, it is one of the few tourbillons available in a platinum case with a meteorite dial.
Each individual timepiece is entirely finished by hand: an undertaking entrusted to two watchmakers from the Manufacture whose only mission was to achieve the highest degree of hand-finishing possible on the movement.
Once the timepiece is assembled and finished, each of its components is checked according to the highest quality criteria, in line with Haute Horlogerie standards.
The meteorite dial – just 0.5mm thick – is protected by a coat of ruthenium, enhancing its natural grey glints and shielding the surface from oxidation. Since the material is natural, each meteorite dial is different from any other.
To ensure visual coherence with the colour of the meteorite dial, the movement also sports a ruthenium finish. Each engraving, including the timepiece’s individual number (on the tourbillon cage and also on the caseback) is rhodium-plated to ensure the characters stand out clearly.
The oscillating weight is made of brass with a tungsten section around the rim. This material has been selected for its density, which is greater than that of 18-carat gold, providing greater inertia when in motion and thus enabling the barrel spring to be wound more quickly. All the parts of the oscillating weight are also coated with ruthenium.
The Classic Tourbillon Meteorite Manufacture comes in a 39mm platinum case. For the first time in its history, Frederique Constant has combined a meteorite dial with this precious metal.
Unveiled in 2008, the Frederique Constant Manufacture FC-980 tourbillon movement – developed in-house and fitted with a silicon escapement wheel and anchor – can be seen from the rear of the piece. It boasts a 38-hour power reserve.
The architecture of this movement provides a breath-taking view of the escapement wheel linked to the anchor pallet, the balance wheel rocking back and forth, and the concentric beat of the hairspring. A hand located above the tourbillon cage indicates the passing seconds.
The combined weight of silicon escapement wheel, anchor and the rest of the escapement, regulating organs and tourbillon cage is just 0.59g, so very little energy is required to get them moving.
Technical details
Model: Frederique Constant Classic Tourbillon Meteorite Manufacture, Reference FC-980MT3HPT
Movement
FC-980 in-house caliber, automatic
Chamfering (anglage), hammering (martelage), circular graining (perlage & cerclage), flanks drawing (étirage des flancs), mirror polishing (poli miroir) decorations made in-house
Silicon escapement wheel and anchor
38-hour power reserve, 28’800 alt/h, 33 jewels
Functions
Hours, Minutes, 60 Seconds tourbillon
Case
Polished platinum 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 meteorite dial
Applied diamond cut indexes
Hand-polished silver colour hour and minute hands
Heart Beat opening at 6 o’clock with 60 seconds tourbillon, silver colour second hand
Strap
Black alligator leather strap with matt finishing
Edition
Limited to 35 pieces
Recommended retail price
42’995€
