Frederique Constant Expands Heart Beat Moonphase Date
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Frederique Constant has expanded its Classics Heart Beat Moonphase Date collection with two fresh 40mm interpretations. According to Monochrome, the new arrivals pair a stainless steel case and salmon dial with a yellow gold-plated steel case and midnight-blue dial. The stainless steel reference FC-335MCSALB4P26 is priced at EUR 2,295, while the yellow gold-plated reference FC-335MCN4P5 is priced at EUR 2,495. Both are part of the permanent collection. The line was first introduced in 2014.
Two 40mm Cases In Steel And Gold-Plated Steel
Both versions measure 40mm in diameter and 10.79mm in height. The cases are polished, with a choice of stainless steel or yellow gold-plated steel. Water resistance is rated to 60m. A double-stepped bezel frames the watch, and an anti-reflective convex sapphire crystal sits over the dial. The caseback is see-through. The strap is dark brown leather with a crocodile pattern, secured by a pin buckle. The crown handles adjustment for all functions directly. For context on date-setting, see Quick-Set Date: A Modern Convenience.
Stamped Guilloché, Roman And Arabic Numerals
The dial centres carry a stamped Clous de Paris or hobnail guilloché pattern. Monochrome reports that the guilloché effect is produced by a modern stamping press. The salmon-dial model uses black Arabic numerals for the date and black Roman numerals for the hours. The midnight-blue-dial model uses gold numerals. Hour and minute hands are Breguet-style and openworked, finished in black or gold plating to match the dial. A sweeping central seconds hand runs above the patterned centre. At noon, the Heart Beat aperture reveals the balance wheel beneath a circular-grained bridge. The link to The Balance Wheel: The Heartbeat Of Mechanics explains the component on display. At 6 o’clock, the moon phase shows a gold-coloured moon and stars against a blue night sky. The date is indicated by an arrow-tipped central pointer hand.
FC-335 Automatic And The Heart Beat Aperture
To read more about the story behind watches, try a watch history book.
Inside is the automatic calibre FC-335, based on the Sellita SW-200. It runs at 28,800 vph, or 4 Hz, and offers a 38-hour power reserve. The movement has 26 jewels and drives hours, minutes, seconds, date, and moonphase. Frederique Constant is a Geneva Manufacture, and Monochrome notes that the brand pioneered the Heart Beat aperture in 1994. The purpose of that aperture is to highlight the mechanical movement and avoid confusion with quartz. For more on the broader distinction, see Automatic Vs Quartz: The Real Difference. The new Classics Heart Beat Moonphase Date should not be confused with the Moonphase Date Manufacture, which uses an in-house movement. More information is available at frederiqueconstant.com. For a watch-identification diversion, the game is at https://watchdle.com/play/.
FAQ
What movement powers the new Classics Heart Beat Moonphase Date?
It uses the automatic calibre FC-335, based on the Sellita SW-200. It operates at 28,800 vph (4 Hz) with a 38-hour power reserve and 26 jewels.
What does the Heart Beat aperture show?
The aperture sits at noon and reveals the balance wheel under a circular-grained bridge. Its purpose is to highlight the mechanical movement and distinguish it from quartz, and Frederique Constant pioneered this aperture in 1994.
How do the two new dials differ?
The salmon-dial version has black Arabic numerals for the date and black Roman numerals for the hours. The midnight-blue-dial version uses gold numerals.
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