Frederique Constant Enhances its Classics Collection with the New Heart Beat and Automatic Models

Established in 1988, Frederique Constant is known for producing high-quality timepieces with a focus on elegant designs. The brand has gained a formidable reputation for its commitment to craftsmanship, precision, and attention to detail. Frederique Constant watches are often characterised by their classic aesthetics, incorporating elements of traditional Swiss watchmaking. The new Classics collection ― Heart Beat Automatic and Index Automatic ― with its signature guilloché decorations on the dials has now been added to the brand’s oeuvre. 

Guilloché refers to a decorative technique commonly used in watchmaking and jewellery. It involves intricate patterns or designs created by engraving a material, usually a metal, with a repetitive geometric pattern. The term itself is derived from the French word for engine-turning, which is a method of creating precise, repetitive patterns with a machine. In the context of timepieces, guilloché decorations are often found on watch dials, casebacks, and sometimes even on movement components. Watchmakers use specialised machines, called rose engines or straight-line engines, to create these patterns. The result is a textured and visually appealing surface that adds a touch of sophistication to a watch.

‍Guilloché decorations can take various forms, including swirling patterns, waves, and sunbursts. The choice of pattern and its execution can be a signature element of a watchmaker or a particular watch model, contributing to the overall aesthetic appeal and exclusivity of the timepiece. While not all timepieces feature guilloché decorations, they are particularly common in luxury watches that emphasise traditional craftsmanship and attention to detail. Some watchmakers take guilloché to the next level by combining it with other decorative techniques like enamelwork or gem-setting, creating truly unique and luxurious timepieces. 

Common to the newly launched Classics watches are guilloché decorations on the dials, Breguet-shaped hour and minute hands, Roman hour markers, and the movement, Calibre FC-303, offering a power reserve of 38 hours.

Heart Beat Automatic

The collection comes in a 40mm stainless steel case, along with lugs and a crown at 3 o’clock. The watches come with two dial colours — silver and khaki. There is a Heart Beat aperture at 12 o'clock. The watches are finished on black leather straps.

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Index Automatic

The popularity of pink gold in watches has grown over the years due to its fashionable appearance. It is a more subtle and elegant alternative to traditional yellow or white gold. This 40 mm model comes with a pink gold case, lugs, and a crown at 3 o’clock. There is a date window at 3 o’clock with a white background and black numeral on the silver dial. The model is finished on a dark brown leather strap and is available in three versions.