The Frederique Constant Perpetual Calendar houses the FC 775 in-house-made caliber
Frederique Constant, recently purchased by Citizen, has been a family-owned, independent watch brand for decades. In fact, I remember when the brand first launched, and I have been proud to say the founders — Peter and Aletta Stas — have always been committed to offering superb quality and incredible prices. The new Perpetual Calendar watch, in stores now, does not disappoint.
First shown to the world during the March BaselWorld exhibition, the Swiss-made Frederique Constant Perpetual Calendar watches are in stores now and deserve a good close-up look. Offered in stainless steel or in gold-plated steel, the new perpetual calendars feature the FC-775 automatic movement that was designed and developed in-house in the brand’s Plan-les-Ouates workshops outside of Geneva.
The 42mm watch is offered in steel and in steel with rose-gold plating.
The FC-775 automatic movement, with 191 parts, was two yeas in the research and development stages, and it is one of the easiest to use perpetual calendars on the market. Inset buttons easily adjust the function — with the button near 5:00 advancing the moon, and the one near 8:00 manipulating the day and date). The watch automatically account for months with 30 and 31 days, the 28 days of February and also the leap year cycle with the return of 29 February every four years. It will only need to be adjusted on March 1, 2100, when we skip a scheduled leap year to keep our calendar in sync with time.
Technical drawing of the FC 775 Perpetual Calendar movement
Part of the brand’s Slimline collection, the 42mm Perpetual Calendar watches feature sapphire case backs for viewing the hand-finished and hand-assembled movement. Not only is the movement complex and beautifully finished, but the watch itself is a work of detail and precision. I personally am more fond of the dark dial versus the white dial, but the moon phase is elegantly portrayed along with the easily readable information in a harmonious balance that just works.This is especially true given the retail price: $3,695.
Tech Specs:
Polished stainless steel 3-parts case, diameter of 42 mm Convex sapphire crystal
See-through back-case
Water-resistant to 3 ATM
FC-705 Manufacture caliber, automatic with date and moonphase adjustable with the crown
Perlage & Circular Côtes de Genève decoration on the movement
26 jewels, 42 hours power reserve, 28’800 alt/h
Ivory-colored dial with sunray decoration and applied silver color indexes
Hand-polished silver color hour and minute hands and pearl black counter
Moonphase and date counter at 6 o’clock Black alligator strap
Hours, minutes, moonphase, date by hand
The watch is offered in steel or rose-gold plating
