Since its launch in 2012, the Classic Worldtimer Manufacture has established itself as one of the flagship models of the Maison Frederique Constant and a new icon of contemporary watchmaking. A Swiss Made Haute Horlogerie timepiece, an ingenious function and high added value are the keys to its success, making this timepiece an emblematic model.
Today, the Maison revisits its flagship model. New Manufacture FC-719 movement. Power reserve extended to 72 hours. New 40 mm diameter case. New gem-set version, limited and individually numbered to 88 pieces. New date-free, streamlined dials. New colours. New steel bracelet. With this new version of this iconic model, Frederique Constant takes a bold step.
An authentic Manufacture
At Frederique Constant, men and women work to create high added-value Swiss Made timepieces. This new FC-719 movement was designed within its workshops. The challenge was twofold: to maintain the reliability of its predecessor while at the same time improving its technical characteristics. The result? An impressive 35th Manufacture movement developed by Frederique Constant since its founding in 1988.
Not many Maisons under 40 years old have the boldness to pursue the ambition of becoming an authentic Swiss Made timepiece manufacturer. This passion echoes throughout the Frederique Constant workshops. It is here that movements are developed, prototyped, assembled and regulated. It is here that the watchmakers’ skillful and controlled movements wield tweezers, screwdrivers and oilers to invent contemporary watchmaking.
Pre-assembly plays a crucial role: each calibre has its mainplate, bars, springs and regulating organ individually pre-assembled before being brought together into a single functional unit. The watchmaker then makes the fine adjustments. Some down to the micrometre like the flattening and centring of the balance spring. In this respect, each movement assembled and adjusted by hand becomes unique.
An optimised movement
Behind its legibility and ease of use, the Classic Worldtimer Manufacture conceals a beautifully crafted horological complication. It offers a simultaneous, real-time display of the time in all 24 reference time zones. By opting for a two-colour disc, the traveller can intuitively distinguish between day and night time zones. On the new Classic Worldtimer Manufacture, the decision to forgo the date further enhances the legibility of the hours, minutes and the precious complication. This allows travellers, whether in body or spirit, to keep track of time wherever their journey takes them.
Developed on a proven technical basis, the FC-719 movement has seen its power reserve optimised. Formerly 38 hours, it now has a capacity of 72 hours. This increase of approximately 90% provides a full three-day power reserve. This optimisation is made possible by a longer mainspring and a revised alloy composition. What’s more, not only does the FC-719 calibre maintain its original frequency of 4 Hz, but also, despite its larger mainspring, it fits into a case that is 2 mm smaller in diameter. The FC-719 therefore becomes one of the most optimised Worldtimers on the market.
The finishing of this new calibre demonstrates Frederique Constant’s commitment to fine craftsmanship. Visible through a sapphire crystal caseback, the frame features sunburst Côtes de Genève. The barrel, gear train and balance bridges are circular-grained, while the oscillating weight is satin-finished and snailed.
A module that celebrates simplicity
How complicated it can sometimes be to make things simple! With only 24 components, the Worldtimer module is a perfect example. Take, for instance, the adjustment of all functions with a single crown. First advantage: practicality, since the user accesses all functions with just the crown.
Second advantage: reliability. No need for correctors and their fragile mechanical linkages. Especially since the stylus needed to press them is never readily available when travelling. Thirdly, water resistance. By eliminating various corrections and numerous openings in the case, the new Classic Worldtimer Manufacture guarantees water resistance to 5 ATM. The Manufacture also preserves the clean lines of the new 40 mm classic case.
A limited edition and two new versions
This redesigned case also provides the opportunity to offer an exclusive version set with 70 diamonds on the bezel and 12 diamond-set indexes on the dial, totalling 0.785 ct. A limited and individually engraved series of only 88 pieces – like 1988, the year Frederique Constant was founded. Its unique dial features a sunburst light blue ocean and continents in relief, with a grey grained finish. For this special edition, it comes with two interchangeable alligator straps.
Two other non-set options are available for this new case. The second is a must-have of the collection that the Manufacture has decided to continue: navy blue oceans and city disc, and grey grained relief continents. Applied indexes coated with Super-LumiNova punctuate this composition. A resolutely contemporary classic, it is presented exclusively on a new interchangeable five-link steel bracelet. Three links are satin-finished and alternate with two mirror-polished links.
The third variation features a gradient blue for the oceans and taupe grained relief continents. Here, applied indexes highlight a white city disc. The effect offers striking relief, as well as subtle fluctuations of light. The alligator strap is also interchangeable.
A new chapter, true to the spirit of the Manufacture
By combining mechanical innovation, artisanal mastery, and contemporary design, Frederique Constant offers the Classic Worldtimer Manufacture a new chapter. It perfectly illustrates the Maison’s ambition: to present high added-value Swiss Made timepieces. From the meticulously developed and hand-assembled FC-719 movement to the aesthetics and finishes of the dials, every detail testifies to the passion and daring of the Maison. With this reinterpretation of its iconic model, Frederique Constant confirms its identity as a modern Manufacture, capable of combining traditional know-how and contemporary watchmaking, offering travellers and fine watchmaking enthusiasts a timepiece of exceptional value.
ABOUT FREDERIQUE CONSTANT
LIVE YOUR PASSION!
At Frederique Constant, time is an object of passion. It is not measured by the fleeting excitement of trends. Quite the opposite; it is a long-term vision, pursued through bold objectives, driven by the dynamism of contemporary watchmaking that dares to challenge established codes. From their very conception, Frederique Constant timepieces break with traditional watchmaking conventions. The Maison spares no effort in continually creating watchmaking that stands out for both its quality and its price. The Maison dares to invent a Swiss-made watchmaking with a high added value. It dares to imagine new watch mechanisms. It dares to offer High Complications. It dares to break down barriers to better play with the paradox of contemporary classicism.
Watchmaking at Frederique Constant follows in the footsteps of its founders’ entrepreneurial spirit. It stems from the appreciation for fine craftsmanship of the men and women who make up the Manufacture, since 1988. It is a human, vibrant and authentic company. It is bold, having already developed 35 Manufacture movements – almost one per year. Today, the Maison boasts a collection of refined Complications developed and assembled within its own Manufacture in Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva. These include the Tourbillon, Perpetual Calendar, Flyback Chronograph, Worldtimer and Power Reserve Big Date. Frederique Constant is driven by an ongoing momentum of innovation and development.
The range also includes automatic and quartz collections distributed through approximately 3,000 points of sale in 120 countries. The Maison fosters a dynamic of ongoing collaborations—sources of inspiration and creative challenge—that continually push it to expand the boundaries of its creativity. In 2016, the Frederique Constant Group (Frederique Constant, Alpina Watches, Ateliers de Monaco) joined the Japanese Citizen Group to further its international development and foster new synergies.
