In July 2023, we took three Frederique Constant Classic Tourbillon Manufacture models to our studio for an in-depth photo and video shooting session. The brand’s proposition raised success beyond any expectation.
The three options, two in steel and one in rose gold, sold like hotcakes. Which brand could offer a classic tourbillon at such a competitive price? This year, Frederique Constant raised the bar by crafting a more exclusive take on its model, introducing white gold and an aventurine-made dial to unveil the most attractive Classic Tourbillon Manufacture.
The aventurine dial
Aventurine is a quartz stone that fits well into watchmaking since it adds a unique character to a dial. Among the first applications in the industry is the highly sought-after Moonwatch Moonphase, an execution as appealing as it looks “too much” for a Moonwatch. However, the pairing looks perfect on a classic watch, where the sparkling inclusions are a lovely addition to a classic timepiece.
Frederique Constant artisans applied an aventurine disc with a large opening to reveal the tourbillon at six o’clock. Aventurine turns the dial into a starry sky, reflecting each light source and adding to a Classic Tourbillon’s perceived value.
At 39 mm in diameter and 10.99 mm in thickness, the Classic Tourbillon Manufacture with Aventurine dial confirms everything we are familiar with in the original series, with size included to preserve its classic proportions. The robust FC-980-4 calibre stands out thanks to bevelling, mirror polishing, pérlage, and cerclage.
Here is a modern calibre with a silicon escapement wheel. Its letdown is the low power reserve for a 4 Hertz movement. However, I am unsurprised that the brand is working on the next generation of mechanical calibres since power reserve is a hot topic.
Final thoughts
The new Frederique Constant Classic Tourbillon Manufacture Aventurine dial has everything we love about the original trilogy, with the addition of a magic touch that lights up the dial like never before.
This addition has also impacted retail prices, growing to slightly under 40,000 euros. Nevertheless, it is an ultra-accessible tourbillon classic gold watch whose price gap with its previous red gold sibling is due to aventurine quartz.
Crafting an Aventurine dial increases the production time, thus affecting the final retail price. Here is why Frederique Constant will exclusively produce 36 pieces of the watch, making it a “capsule collection” rather than a limited series, each housing a one-of-a-kind dial.
(Photo credit: Frederique Constant)
Giovanni Maria Di Biase @Horbiter®
In this article:
Calibre
A calibre is the type of watch movement encased in an assigned timepiece. Its name is usually associated with the manufacturer's name and a standard code, e.g., ETA 2824.
Power Reserve
A mechanical watch feature displays, on the dial or the case back, the remaining power in a watch movement, showing the length of time until the timepiece must be rewound.
