The first movement made entirely in-house by Frederique Constant dates back to 2004: the Heart Beat Manufacture. While until then mostly ETA movements had been used, the company wanted to be the first to equip its most emblematic model with a custom-made movement, in order to enhance what had been the characteristic feature of Heart Beat watches since 1994: the opening on the dial revealing the balance, later taken up by other manufacturers.
Updated over the years, the Classics Heart Beat Manufacture is now the subject of a genuine restyling, aesthetically reconnecting it to the more classic Swiss watchmaking tradition. Starting first of all with the introduction of a new, smaller 39 mm case - the same diameter as the first Heart Beat Manufacture model - as opposed to the previous 42 mm, but still with the characteristic onion-shaped crown. The novelties also involve the dial.
The typical comma aperture revealing the escapement has given way to a classic circular aperture, positioned at 6 o'clock for a more traditional aesthetic. The hour markers have also been updated with thinner painted Roman numerals, which stand out against the white lacquered dial with its chemin de fer minute track, as well as the blackened hands.
The movement is the FC-930-3 automatic calibre, which offers a 38-hour power reserve, heir to the FC-910 calibre of 2004. The watch is offered either in steel with a black alligator strap (930 pieces) or in rose gold with a dark brown alligator strap (93 pieces).
Prices3,651 euros in steel; 15,805 euros in red gold.
