On the tough road of achieving independence, supplying your own movements and having all the crafts required to produce mechanical timepieces are vital. Frédérique Constant has made two important steps in this regard during the last decade. First, they started to design and build their own, yet affordable movements and established the Manufacture collection to encompass timepieces operated by these engines – this year their first in-house movement celebrates its 10th anniversary. Second, in a project to take it to the next level by creating high complications and extreme precision with exclusive hand-finishing, they initiated a project that resulted in the XP1 tourbillon movement, and eventually the Ateliers deMonaco brand in 2009.
Manufacture collection
It was 10 years ago when Frédérique Constant presented its first in-house movement, the development of which begun in 2001. The Heat Beat Manufacture Calibre was the first member of the Frédérique Constant Manufacture Collection, which is destined to hold the most exclusive, in-house calibre equipped pieces of the brand. To summarize the achievements of the first decade the company created the Heart Beat Manufacture Calibre FC-945 Silicium. Engineers have been using silicium for the escapement to decrease friction while not requiring any oiling. The new material is also lighter and therefore has lower inertia, which increases the efficiency of energy utilization. The timepiece will be a limited edition in both versions – 188 pieces in18K gold and 1888 in steel.
Ladies Automatic “World Heart Federation” collection
Women and children in particular are at risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) such as heart attacks and strokes. To raise awareness, the World Heart Federation together with Ms.Inès Sastre launched the “Hearts of Children” campaign, which is supported by Frédérique Constant for the second consecutive year. The company has announced the 2014 models of the collection, which have materials like rose gold, mother of pearl and diamonds in common. This year, all timepieces receive a new rose gold plated or bi-colour steel and rose gold plated bracelet.
The new bracelet will also be available for other models of the company, such as the Classics Manufacture Worldtimer introduced in 2012, or the Manufacture Slimline Moonphase.
Photo credits: Frédérique Constant, Loupiosity.com.
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