Frederique Constant supports the charity initiative "Only Watch" by bringing out a special version of an exclusive model, the Meteorite Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar. The Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar by Frederique Constant embodies the founders' visionary quest to make the knowledge and expertise of Swiss watchmaking and innovation as accessible as possible. In 2004, after several years of research and development, the Swiss watchmaker introduced its first patented manufacture movement, conceived and produced in-house: the award-winning Heart Beat Manufacture calibre. Four years later, the brand presented its first Tourbillon, one of the most complex complications in the industry, based on the Heart Beat Manufacture calibre. Then, in 2016, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Frederique Constant Manufacture in Plan-les-Ouates, another grand complication was created: the Manufacture Perpetual Calendar watch, paving the way for a new generation of Swiss Made complicated watches at an affordable price. Aiming to provide maximum precision, the FC-975 automatic movement is equipped with an escapement wheel and anchor made of silicon. This material resolves the uncertainties caused by the effect of the earth's gravity when the movement is in a vertical position and is resistant to temperature variations. This grand complication also brings a truly 'smart' balance and a delicate and balanced Tourbillon cage. Frederique Constant has patented its Tourbillon cage consisting of 80 components all produced with a precision of 1-2 microns (0.001-0.002 mm), thanks to its CNC-controlled machines. In order to achieve the highest degree of precision, small weights are added to the Tourbillon cage to ensure perfect balance. When the Tourbillon is built, the stability of the cage is slightly off standard, as the escape wheel and the anchor are off-centre: as a stabilising measure, Frederique Constant added a 'smart screw' system on the outer edge of the Tourbillon to equalise the weight and provide perfect balance within the cage, resulting in a more stable amplitude and frequency. The Meteorite Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar made for "Only Watch" (as mentioned, it is a one-off) features an 18-carat rose gold case in three parts, (the diameter is 42 mm), with a visible case back that allows one to admire the Perlage and Côtes de Genève decorations on the movement. The watch also features an eye-catching dial made of blue-dyed meteorite. This very rare material fell to Earth 80,000 years ago and was found in Namibia, Africa, in 1839. The perpetual calendar does not require any manual correction before 400 years, although there is an exception in the Gregorian calendar: the watch must be set on 1 March 2100. The hour and minute functions are all adjustable via the crown. The dial shows the months and leap year indicator at 12 o'clock, the days at 3 o'clock and the days of the week at 9 o'clock. The tourbillon cage is located at 6 o'clock, with a built-in seconds hand that rotates once a minute. Frederique Constant decided to develop this unique timepiece and to support with this unique edition the eighth edition of the "Only Watch" charity auction, the charity collection established to fund scientific research for the rare Duchenne muscular dystrophy. By participating in the event, the House offers the best of its knowledge and research in the world of haute horlogerie.
