Frederique Constant Classic Moonphase Date Manufacture in Solid Gold

Frederique Constant unveils the most exclusive version of its Classic Moonphase Date Manufacture yet. For the first time, the movement powers a solid rose gold timepiece, made available here in a limited edition of 150 numbered watches. A paragon of timeless elegance, the model draws inspiration from the canons of traditional fine watchmaking, with three handpolished central hands sweeping across a silvered dial sporting a fine sunburst finish and at six o’clock, a moonphase ingeniously combined with a hand indicating the date. Powered by the allnew in-house FC-716 movement, now covered by a five-year warranty, this Classic Moonphase Date Manufacture transcends fashion and spans the generations.

For 35 years, Frederique Constant has unwaveringly placed mechanical excellence at the heart of its timepieces, and the Classic Moonphase Date Manufacture is no exception. The reason it could not be released any sooner was that it required the use of the very latest movement to be produced by the manufacture: the FC-716 calibre, the fruit of extensive development and experience patiently built up over the decades. Today, Frederique Constant has 33 in-house movements, each born out of the desire to further enhance the essence of mechanical watchmaking: quality, accuracy and reliability, made as widely available as possible in line with the Manufacture’s guiding principles.

That said, there won’t be enough of these limited-edition pieces to satisfy every collector: only 150 will be made. Indeed, since 2023, rather than being gold-plated all Frederique Constant’s Manufacture watches have been solid gold; the Classic Moonphase Date Manufacture is a case in point, being the first in the FC-716 series to be crafted from a solid piece of 18k rose gold. Each piece will be unique, engraved and numbered on the caseback.

At once precise and precious, the Classic Moonphase Date Manufacture marks a fresh chapter in the long saga of timepieces to combine two iconic complications: Date and moonphase. One might see these two displays as being very different: the former changes clearly and visibly every day, resulting in a complication that’s highly relevant and indeed invaluable on a daily basis. The moonphase, on the other hand, marks out a subtle shift that’s invisible to the naked eye, linked to the lunar cycle but rather less so to everyday needs. It’s a poetic complication that’s intimately bound up with the history of watchmaking, offering a graceful style and conjuring up flights of fancy.

The date and the phases of the moon are in fact secretly connected: both relate to astronomy. For the best part of three centuries, watchmakers have seen them as natural and obvious partners, and this is what Frederique Constant seeks to celebrate in this piece, calling on the traditional register of fine watchmaking to pay tribute to an age-old heritage. And so it is that the two complications are intimately intertwined here in a single display at six o’clock against the backdrop of a silvered dial with a delicate sunburst finish. Slim rose gold-coloured hour markers are arrayed around the dial, matching the hands – all of which are individually handpolished.

The sector dial minute track recalls the heyday of watchmaking in the 1940s and 50s, while the onion-shaped crown at three o’clock evokes the beautiful pocket watches of yesteryear. The piece comes in a perfectly-proportioned case just 40 millimetres in diameter – a format beloved of collectors due to its universal, timeless appeal.

On the caseback, the Classic Moonphase Date Manufacture also embodies all the care and attention Frederique Constant devotes to finishings. A transparent crystal offers a view of the new FC-716 movement with its perlage and Côtes de Genève finishes. The barrel now gives the piece a 72-hour power reserve, equivalent to three days. The high-precision movement beats at 4 Hertz; its capacity to return swiftly to absolutely regular oscillations makes it better able to withstand the vagaries of everyday wear. Derived from the FC-715 base and using over 90% of the same components, it’s exceptionally well tried and tested – and highly reliable.

The watch comes on a navy blue alligator leather strap with matching topstitching.

Technical specifications

Frederique Constant Classic Moonphase Date Manufacture

Reference: FC-716S3H9

Limited edition of 150 pieces

Case

• Material: 18k rose gold
• Diameter: 40 mm
• Thickness: 11.78 mm
• Water-resistant to 30 meters

Dial and hands

• Silver sunray dial
• Applied diamond cut indexes
• Rose gold hands

Movement

• FC-716 Calibre
• Automatic movement
• Number of jewels: 26 
• Frequency: 28'800 vph (4 Hz)
• Power reserve of 72 hours

Functions/Indications

• Hours, minutes, seconds
• Moonphase, date

Strap and buckle

• Blue alligator strap

MSRP: EUR 17'995

For more information, please visit frederiqueconstant.com