Practice updated and upgraded 40mm Frederick’s constant classic permanent calendar manufacturing

I am grateful that in the world of watches, “evolution” does not mean that it always “growth.” As an example, we will take the new 40mm Frederique Constant Classic Classic Perpetual Calender Manufacture (FC-776Sal3H6). The watch’s predecessor debuted in 2016 in a 42mm case. It was an important introduction as it was the most affordable mechanical, lasting calendar watch on the market when it was launched. However, the Geneva-based brand is now introducing updated and upgraded “QPs” with an even more classic, refined and powerful internal movement than before. Again, this is a key introduction with a smaller steel case, a lively refined salmon dial and a price below 10,000 euros.

Yes, not a while ago, I wrote an article entitled “Democracy is Dead.” This article was about the rift between the top end and the buyers of entry-level luxury watches and how it spreads. He also wrote that viewer-friendly brands should quickly develop plans to maintain what is relevant to the money people spend on them. Frederique Constant may have found the right strategy at the right time exactly.

Updated and upgraded 40mm Frederic Construct Classic Perpetual Calendar Manufacturing

The Frederique Constant was founded in 1988, but although it is relatively recent, it developed an identity and has since reached a different generation. Founder couple Peter and Aletta Stass wanted to democratize the luxury Swiss-made watchmaking brand. I remember the first works and I was skeptical of them. It remained an incident for several years. Still, my perception that Frederick’s constant has changed as the brand steadily refined its design, stayed true to its original philosophy and developed internal movements.

I still don’t think it’s the most exciting watch brand in the world, but that’s not what I intend to do. Considering watch fans who have not witnessed the brand’s first decade, “FC” is a solid player in the world of watches. If you need a mechanical watch, you need to be aware of internal movements like traditional design codes and how you spend your hard-earned cash, then FC could become your brand. Also, FC is constant in your watch world as you’ve seen brands create classic watches since you’ve become interested in them.

Updated specifications

As mentioned above, the Frederique Constant Classic Perpetual Calender Manufacture is now a 40mm watch. The case has a 12.1mm profile. In other words, it is as supple as the predecessor of the watch, the 42mm slim line perpetual calendar production. The power of the old QP was an internal caliber FC-775. This 6.7mm thick 4Hz automatic movement has 26 gems and offers a 38-hour power reserve.

Inside the new classic, lasting calendar manufacturing is the brand’s 34th in-house movement, the Calibre FC-776. The power reserve increased to 72 hours, with gem counts and beat rates remaining, but it’s a step forward when it comes to build quality and finishing. The classic Perlage and Radial Comtes de Jenève Corations that can be seen through the display case will look great. No, we’re not seeing the level of finishing like Lange, but it’s certainly still fun.

The winner of the dial

The 40mm classic case shows a soft round profile and a prominent lug. It also feels and looks more refined than its 42mm predecessor. Thanks to the 2mm reduction, the watch has a case size that no one can discuss. Instead, can you honestly say you wanted to have a 39mm case on this traditional QP? The watch is 12.1mm thick and has excellent proportions. It sits nicely on almost every wrist, and apart from the traditional QP appearance that never ages, it has a salmon dial, famous for the biggest name of high watches, and has the desired dial.

The thalmon tone dial with a radiant sunray finish is slightly embedded with subdials of the calendar function, creating depth. Since this is a classic calendar watch, there is a moon phase indicator. The moon rotates on the 6 o’clock sub-dial and shines in a subtle blue color. Other subtleties are the refined diamond-cut index and the redesigned Dauphin hands of Dauphin hands, more refined than before. Despite the small case size, the sophisticated features of the dial give it a strong presence.

The production of the classic perpetual calendar looks like it’s here forever

Sometimes you see novelty and think you’ve seen it before. If a brand wants to revolutionize the world of watches with groundbreaking creations, that’s a bad thing. But when it’s the launch of a new traditional watch, that feeling proves that the brand has done a good job. The redesign of 40mm Frederick’s constant classic permanent calendar manufacturing with a salmon dial and the upgraded 40mm Frederick’s classic permanent calendar manufacturing appears to have been around for years. So it’s a traditional novelty that makes perfect sense. The same goes for the brown crocodile straps equipped with folding clasps. I might change it to something very dark blue to give it a bit more modern look and remove the folding clasp, but it’s just a personal taste.

If you spend 9,995 euros/US$9,995/CHF 9,995 on this watch, do you still want a high-end product with a slightly similar look? No, it’s probably because such watches are about three times more expensive and, as a result, not within reach. Yes, wearers of the Frederique Constant Classic Classic Perpetual Calender Manufacture may dream of a Haute Horlogerie QP. However, at the same time, owners below QP experience an internal perpetual calendar watch that looks and gives a clear respect to the historic craft of watchmaking.

Final Thoughts

Is Frederick trying to democratize Swiss-made watchmaking? Perhaps it’s an ambitious ideal worthy of a starting brand. Eventually, the reality of the watch world makes every brand practical and often opportunistic. The sporty high-life collection, consisting of watches with integrated bracelets, may be called bandwagon jumping pieces, but remember that FC is a commercial entity. The new pieces in the Classic Collection show that the brand is serious about finding its voice, continuing to tweak it, developing internal movements, and cherishing it to an audience who value traditional watchmaking. Over time, Frederique Constant has become a special brand. Because despite the works of high-priced heroes, it always stays close to its roots and never gets lost from the path of affordable mechanical watchmaking. Its value is of something, whether luxurious, democratic or not.

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