Calibres

O volante roda uma vez na direcção dos ponteiros e outra na direcção contrária, à volta de um eixo constituído por um grande rubi. Esta retação é controlada pela espiral que se enrola e desenrola constantemente, e que se pode ver ver pela abertura recortada nos mostradores dos relogios 'Heart Beat'.

Especificações:

Calibre FC-310-1Automatico

• Heart Beat
• Automatico
• 28.800 Bph
• 25 pedras
• Sistema anti choque
• 1 Mola Real (corda)
• Reserva de Martcha de 42 horas
• Pontos superiores decorados com Côtes de Genève  

Frédérique Constant adiciona uma nova colecçãoà sua prestigiada Highlife Line introduzindo uma nova complicação: Highlife Moonphase Chronograph.

O cronógrafo Highlife Moonphase Chrono composto pelo movimento automatico FC-395 e está disponível com braceletes metálicas e pulseiras feitas manualmente de pele de avestruz.

Geneva, Outubro 2003. Este cronógrafo é multifuncional. O Movimento Automático sofisticado FC-395 Côte-de-Genève decorado e alojado numa caixa redonda e elegante.wheel and the escapement that are the heart of the Frédérique Constant mechanical movement, were unveiled. The current Highlife line comprises four models: the stylish elegant women’s collection Alure, the dynamic sporty Round, the fine and exclusive mechanic Heart Beat Day-Date and the newcomer Heart Beat Retrograde, launched at Baselworld 2003. Highlife Moonphase Chrono is the fifth collection of this line.

Specification:

• Caliber FC-395
• Moonphase Chronograph
• Automatic
• 28.800 Bph
• 25 jewels
• Incaboc antishock system
• 1 barrel
• Power reserve 42 hours
• Date indicated by hand
• Chrono counter 30 Minutes, 12 Hours
• Moonphase display
• Upper Bridges decorated with Côtes de Genève  
• Lower Bridges decorated with Colimaçon 
• Anglage finished.

The balance wheel and the escapement are the heart of the Frédérique Constant mechanical movement and enable the keeping of accurate time. In an automatic 'Heart Beat', a three spoke glucydur balance with nivarox hairspring beats 28.800 times per hour.

The balance wheel rotates clockwise and counter clockwise on its axes in a large ruby jewel. Its rotation is controlled by the hairspring, which constantly coils and uncoils, and can be seen through the unique dial aperture of the 'Heart Beat' watches.

In collaboration with Dubois-Depraz of Valée de Joux, Frédérique Constant developed various  'Heart Beat' complications. The Heart Beat Day-Date is a complication showing the day and the date by hands in a sub dial located at the 6 o'clock position.  This complication was developed as a complete modular unit and attached to an automatic movement by two feet, 180º apart, around the circumfence.  The link between the movement and the module occurs via the date disc.

Specification:

Caliber FC-610
Heart Beat Day-Date
Automatic
28.800 Bph
27 jewels
Incaboc antishock system
1 barrel
Power reserve 42 hours
Date, Day indicated by hands
Upper Bridges decorated with Côtes de Genève  
Lower Bridges decorated with Colimaçon 
Anglage finished.

Uma grande estreia para Frédérique Constant Genève,que desenvolveu em colaboração com Agenhor,uma complicação. Complicaçãoquer lúdica quer complexa, o segundo retrógrado localizado nas 6 horas que efectua uma corrida de 30 segundos e que volta à posição zero em 1/100 segundos

eUma observação ao módulo retrógrado explica como essa magia se opera... Cerca de 39 peças, todas cuidadosamente docoradas asseguram o bom funcionamento deste módulo de 8 rubis, testemunho da sua grande qualidade. Alguns elementos são verdadeiras obras de arte, como o elo de fricção, que mede a espessura de 5/100 milimetros de um cabelo humano, e é produto de um fósforo especial.  Cada elemento tem um papel essencial neste conjunto de componentes mas os mais importantes são sem dúvida o eixo de distribuição e a espiral.

a rotação da  ‘Dupla Serra Contadora’ demora 1 minuto, passando por cada dente em 30 segundos e comanda o retorno do ponteiro à posição inicial. A rapidez do retorno é devido a outro elemento fundamental do módulo, a ‘Espiral’.  A espiral está instalada sobre o pivot do ponteiro de segundos, formando o coração do sistema.  Permite um rápido retorno do ponteiro de segundos em 1/100 de segundo.  A presença da roda intermédia e do elo de fricção permitem corrigir quaisquer imperfeiçoes. Sem o elo especial de fricção poderiam ficar acumulados até 4 segundos.

Technical data

Mecanical, FC-680 automatic winding mecanism, Size 11 ½, alternance 28.800/h, 27 Rubis, 30-second retrograde module, 42-hour power reserve.

Hours, minutes, seconds, set exclusively via the crown

Those who appreciate fine timepieces, have always preferred mechanical watches. To a watch collector, a mechanical watch has much more character than a quartz watch as it comprises of hundreds of fine components with tolerances up to 0.001 mm.

In the heart of a mechanical watch beats the balance wheel, producing the driving power of the mainspring a little at a time, causing the familiar ticking sound. The work done by the balance wheel is extremely demanding. In a Frédérique Constant mechanical watch, the balance wheel swings up to 28,800 times an hour and the gear train moves forward 691,200 times in 24 hours. In four years, this represents over one thousand million impulses.  
The Heart Beat Perpetual is one of the most challenging timepieces to assemble.  It runs for over a century without any adjustment to the day, date, month and year. This intricate mechanism is programmed to adjust automatically to months with 28, 30, and 31 days as well as to leap years.

Specification:

Caliber FC-710
Perpetual Calender
Automatic
28.800 Bph
21 jewels
Incaboc antishock system
1 barrel
Power reserve 42 hours
Date, Day and Month indicated by hands
Upper Bridges decorated with Côtes de Genève  
Lower Bridges decorated with Colimaçon 
Anglage finished.

Of all the delicate, complex mechanisms invented by watch-makers over the centuries, the Tourbillon is one of the most complicated. A Tourbillon mechanism is extremely hard to manufacture due to required accuracy of parts involved. Only very few watchmakers had in past and have per today the necessary skills to manufacture a successful Tourbillon watch.

Gravity is one of the main causes of rate variations of the balance wheel in watches.  The rate of the balance wheel should be perfectly constant to realize accurate timekeeping of a watch.  A Tourbillon mechanism eliminates errors of rate in the various vertical positions of a watch and therefore compensates for the effects of gravity on a watch. 

The Frédérique Constant Tourbillon consists of a mobile cage, driven by the gear train, carrying the balance wheel and escapement.   Every time the balance wheel receives an impulse, the cage rotates slightly with all elements it contains. The cage turns co-axially and makes one revolution per minute, so that the error of rate will automatically be compensated while the Tourbillon cage travels through the opposite position.

The Frédérique Constant Tourbillon is equipped with a Incabloc shock absorber.  In this device, the balance wheel ruby in which the pivot turns, is mounted in a conical setting, which itself is placed in a solid truncated cone in the center of the Tourbillon cage. When a lateral or axial shock occurs, the setting slides into the cone, thus permitting the pivot to transfer the shock to the frame. Next to the Tourbillon mechanism, Frédérique Constant created a date by hand complication into the caliber. The date of the month can be seen in the sub-dial at 12 O’Clock. Finally, great care has been taken in the aesthetic details. Curved lines matching the bridges, Côtes de Genève decoration on the main bridges, Collimaçon decoration on the lower bridges, and blued steel screws.

Specification:

One minute Tourbillon
Caliber FC-800
28.800 Bph
23 jewels
Incaboc antishock system
Handwound
2 barrels
Power reserve 72 hours
Date indicated by hand
Bridges decorated with Côtes de Genève and
Colimaçon, anglage finished.

During  two and a half years, Frédérique Constant has been working passionately on the Heart Beat Manufacture calibre to add to its collection. The success of the Heart Beat, launched in 1994, was reason enough for Frédérique Constant to search for a unique alternative.

The Heart Beat calibre is a completely new movement with a number of specific patented features. Its Heart Beat opening is perfectly centred at 6 o'clock with the fine regulation at the side of the dial, creating a technically new appealing and robust calibre design. Frédérique Constant is proud to present its Heart Beat Manufacture Calibre at Baselworld 2004. Variations of the calibre are presently being developed.

Team and Co-operation
The Heart Beat Movement was developed by a Frédérique Constant team of eight specialists from and in co-operation with the École d'Horlogerie de Genève, École d'Ingenieurs de Genève and the Horloge Vakschool Zadkine. 14 of the finest specialists of mechanical watch components were carefully selected for the production of the components of this new manufacture calibre.

Timetable
The idea of creating a Heart Beat calibre was mentioned in October 2001. Three months later extensive research and intensive discussions with the various parties took place and, in April 2002 the modelling in CAD software started. In December 2002 the first handmade prototype was ready. In February 2003 adjustments were made and the production of the second prototype started. In May 2003 the second prototype was ready. In October 2003, the production 0 was initiated. In November, the decoration, engraving and documentation was finalized. In January 2004, the brand new Heart Beat calibre will be presented to the trade press in Geneva and the new Heart Beat calibre product line to the major customers and the press at Baselworld 2004. In June 2004 the first deliveries will start.

Patent and Design Registration
Frédérique Constant applied for an extensive patent on the new design of the Heart Beat calibre. Furthermore, various design elements of the calibre, as well as the product line carrying the calibre, are in the process of an international design registration. Lastly, Frédérique Constant Heart Beat has been registered as a Trademark of Frédérique Constant.

Swiss Made
As part of the development of the Heart Beat Manufacture calibre, Frédérique Constant analyzed and evaluated the production capabilities of various components and calibre factories around the world. After this analysis the company has concluded that only Swiss factories have the ability to produce the required tolerances. Our required tolerances were from +0.004 –0.004 mm for mainplates and bridges up to +0.002 –0.002 mm for i.e. the escapement wheel pignons. Such requirements are pre-requisite to reach maximum accuracy and precision for the complete calibre. Consequently, all components, decoration and assemblage for the Heart Beat Manufacture are 100% Swiss Made.

Specifcations Heart Beat Calibre
Designation : FC-910-1
13 ¼ line (30.5 mm diameter)
4 Hz, 28.800 Bph
Manual Winding
48 hours Power Reserve
Efficiency gear train calculated 94%
KIF Fine regulation
KIF Antishock (2x)
Balance Wheel Glucydur
Spiral Nivarox No. 1
Amplitude +/- 300° at 0h and +/- 280° at 24h
Decoration Côte de Genève & Perlage

Number of Components
5 Platine and bridges
15 Gear Train
14 Tirette system
12 Reglage system
10 Assortment
17 Jewels
16 Screws
8 Other
Total: 97

After the major success of the first Heart Beat Manufacture, launched in 2004, Frédérique Constant proudly introduces the Heart Beat Manufacture Moonphase-Date.

The moon inside a window at 12 O’Clock on the dial of this model progresses through its various phases against the background of a night-blue sky. The aperture is bordered by the 31 numbers of the hand-type date display, exactly the way this type of indicator was arranged on classic watch models dating from the 1940's and 1950's.

Moonphase Display
The moon has always captivated humanity with its fascinating phases. The Frédérique Constant Heart Beat Manufacture Moonphase-Date provides a reminder of watchmaking’s numerous and ancient links to astronomy. Those who desire complications without giving up looks will find that the two aspects have met in watches that feature the lunar phases. Functionality and aesthetics come together wonderfully with graphical representations of the moon on dark blue backgrounds. The Moonphase indicator on the Heart Beat Manufacture FC-915 is run by a 59-tooth star, which corresponds to twice the full lunar cycle of 29.5 days. A regular rotation of the moon is once around the earth every 29 days, 12 hours, and 44 minutes. Once set, the Moonphase indicator of the Frédérique Constant Heart Beat Manufacture accurately displays the phase of the moon.

Attention for detail
The manual-winding calibre for the FC-915 Heart Beat Manufacture Moonphase-Date watches is made of 115 individual parts that have been engineered and machine produced to the highest precision. Parts are thereafter painstakingly polished and controlled by hand. The edges of the steel springs are bevelled and polished manually. This degree of attention for detail is not a means unto itself. It reduces friction at the wheel contact points and contributes significantly to the high level of precision and longevity of the Frédérique Constant Heart Beat Manufacture Moonphase-Date watch. The bridges of the calibre are decorated with Côte de Genève pattern and the mainplate is circular-grained (Côte de Paris) on the top. Edges are diamond-cut flawlessly to an angle of 35 degrees. Assembly of the calibre takes a month on average due to the many intricate operations and inspections required. The result is a flawless calibre that is an official acknowledgment of the ultimate standards of quality in mechanical timepieces.

Limited Editions in Gold and Stainless Steel
The Frédérique Constant Heart Beat Manufacture Moonphase-Date will be available in an 18K solid gold case, limited to 188 pieces per model. In addition, a Stainless Steel version is available limited to 888 pieces per model.  A sapphire crystal covers the delicate crafted dial with Arabic or Roman indexes. The sapphire crystal case back reveals the exquisite decorations and engraving of the complicated calibre. Annual production of these timepieces is restricted due to the limited capacity at Frédérique Constant that is required in crafting, assembling, and regulating these watches. Owners will be delighted to know that they possess a rare and unique timepiece that is in a class of its own with regard to esteem and value appreciation.

Specifcations Heart Beat Calibre
Designation : FC-915-1
Heart Beat, Hour, Minute, Moonphase, Date
13 ¼ line (30.5 mm diameter)
4 Hz, 28.800 Bph
Manual Winding
48 hours Power Reserve
Efficiency gear train calculated 94%
KIF Fine regulation
KIF Antishock (2x)
Balance Wheel Glucydur
Spiral Nivarox No. 1
Amplitude +/- 300° at 0h and +/- 280° at 24h
Decoration Côte de Genève, Côte de Paris & Perlage

Number of Components
7 Platine and bridges
15 Gear Train
14 Moonphase-Date indicators
14 Tirette system
12 Reglage system
10 Assortment
17 Jewels
18 Screws
8 Other
Total: 115

The automatic calibre for the FC-930 Heart Beat Manufacture Automatic is made of 126 individual parts, that have been engineered and machine produced to the highest precision. All components are painstakingly polished and controlled by hand. The edges of the steel springs are beveled and polished manually. This degree of attention to detail is not a means unto itself. It reduces friction at the wheel contact points and contributes significantly to the high level of precision and longevity of the Frédérique Constant Heart Beat Manufacture Automatic movement. The bridges of the calibre are decorated with Côte de Genève pattern and the main plate is circular-grained on the top. Edges are diamond-cut to an angle of 35 degrees. Assembly of the calibre takes a month on average due to the many intricate operations and inspections required. The striking rose gold plated rotor has a two-way winding system and is decorated with Côte de Genève pattern. The center of the rotor is left open, enabling the iconic Heart Beat opening to remain completely visible from both the back and front side of the watch. The rotor is positioned on top of the ball bearing, which increases the durability of the movement. The result is a flawless calibre that is an official acknowledgment of the ultimate standards of quality in mechanical timepieces.

One of the critical issues with automatic watches is their winding function. In an automatic watch, the mainspring is charged by the movement of the arm of the person wearing the watch. The movement of the arm makes the rotor inside an automatic watch turn. The turning rotor is then winding the mainspring that is the source of energy of the caliber.Some people however move their arms only few times per day and infrequently. Even for such persons, the mainspring should be kept wound to ensure that the caliber continues to function properly. Frederique Constant incorporated the following features to increase the winding efficiency of the new Heart Beat Manufacture Automatic.

Bi-directional winding
The rotor of the Frederique Constant Heart Beat Manufacture Automatic is winding the mainspring in two directions. Whether the rotor is moving from left-to-right or from right-to-left, both movements transfer winding energy to the mainspring via the winding mechanism. Bi-directional winding of the rotor is possible because Frederique Constant applied a two sophisticated reverse click wheels in its automatic winding mechanism.

10 Jewels
Rubies jewels inside a mechanical movement ensure minimum friction between various component parts. Most important friction that is reduced by the rubies is the friction between the axes of wheels and the bridges of the caliber. Typically an automatic winding mechanism of quality Swiss watch manufacturers makes use of 8 jewels. The automatic mechanism of the Frederique Constant Manufacture is build with 10 jewels. The additional jewels are applied inside the reverse click wheels (2x), reducing the friction of parts in these sophisticated wheels dramatically.
 

Heavy Metal
The Rotor of the Frederique Constant Heart Beat Manufacture is build with Heavy Metal (94% Tungsten, 6% Copper) on the outside edge. Having the heavy material on the outside diameter of the rotor ensures that most of the weight is far from the turning axe in the center of the rotor. This weight distribution enables maximum swing motion of the rotor.The center plate of the rotor is made of Laiton and has a large opening in order not to block the Heart Beat opening of the caliber. Both the Heavy Metal and Laiton is bond together by a sophisticated riveting process. Thereafter, the entire rotor is plated in 18K Rose gold.

Increase size Rotor
Many automatic calibers have rotors with a size of 25.6 mm. Size of the rotor on the Frederique Constant Heart Beat Automatic is 29.5 mm. Increasing the size of the rotor places the Heavy Metal more far from the center axe of the rotor. The longer distance increases the swing efficiency of the rotor with approximately 55% compared to a typical 25.6 mm rotor.

Ball Bearing
The Frederique Constant rotor is fixed onto the Heart Beat Manufacture caliber by a sophisticated Ball Bearing mechanism. Such Ball Bearing mechanism reduces friction between the rotor and the rest of the caliber almost completely. The Ball Bearing mechanism is covered by the center of the rotor.

Special Oiling
The automatic winding mechanism is oiled with a specially developed oil to reduce friction and ensure longevity of the winding functionality. Watchmakers at Frederique Constant place carefully measured oil drops on 15 positions during assembly of the winding mechanism of the Heart Beat Manufacture.

Specifications Heart Beat Calibre
Designation: FC-930-1
Heart Beat, Hour, Minute
13 ¼ line (30.5 mm diameter)
4 Hz, 28.800 Bph
Automatic Winding
42 hours Power Reserve
Efficiency gear train calculated 94%
KIF Fine regulation
KIF Anti-shock (2x)
Balance Wheel Glucydur
Spiral Nivarox No. 1
Amplitude +/- 300° at 0h and +/- 280° at 24h
DDecoration Côte de Genève, Perlage
Gold plated rotor decorated with Côte de Genève

Number of Components
7 Platine and bridges
15 Gear Train
4 Automatic Wheels
14 Tirette systems
12 Reglage systems
10 Assortments
27 Jewels
22 Screws
1 Rotor
14 Other
Total: 126
 

Frédérique Constant is proud to introduce a World Premiere: a Tourbillon watch with Silicium Escapement Wheel. Based on its award-winning Heart Beat Manufacture Calibre, Frédérique Constant developed its Tourbillon fully in-house with a number of unique features:

• Silicium Escapement Wheel
• Smart Weight Balancing
• Fast Oscillation at 28’800 BpH
• Tourbillon Cage individually numbered

With its three main advantages compared to a regular escapement wheel, a Silicium escapement wheel is particularly useful in a Tourbillon mechanism.  In particular, the reduced weight of the Silicium escapement wheel and the better friction properties result in a substantially higher energy efficiency. As a result, the Frédérique Constant Tourbillon with Silicium escapement wheel has an amplitude of over 300 degrees in dial-up and dial-down positions. Even in the crown-down position, the is over 275 degrees, which is substantially better than the performance of other high-end tourbillons.


Smart Weight Balancing 
The Frédérique Constant Tourbillon Cage consists of 80 parts. Each of these parts is produced to the highest possible tolerance, with a precision of 1-2 micron (0.001-0.002 mm). Many of the parts are produced on Frédérique Constant’s ultra precise CNC machine in Plan-les-Ouates.


This CNC machine of the latest custom-made generation has a tolerance of 1 micron on the X and Y axes and 2 micron on the Z axe. Even with such a high degree of precision, it is impossible to have a 100% equal distribution of weight in the individual parts; for a Tourbillon to run accurately, an equal distribution of weight is essential. Frédérique Constant solved this problem by a “Smart Screw” system on the outer edge of the Tourbillon cage. At first, the Tourbillon cage is constructed with a slight over-weight opposite the Smart Screw system on the main Cage Wheel. Thereafter, a highly skilled watchmaker is able to balance the weight into the center of the Tourbillon cage by adding or exchanging tiny metal rings under the two screws on the main cage wheel. Typically, 8 hours are required for a watchmaker to adjust the tiny rings and balance the weight perfectly for the entire Tourbillon cage. 

Fast Oscillation
The Frédérique Constant Tourbillon runs at 4 Hertz whereby the balance wheel beats 28’800 times per hour. Hence, in a Frédérique Constant Tourbillon, the balance wheel swings 28,800 times an hour and the gear train moves forward 691,200 times in 24 hours. In four years, this represents over one billion impulses.

Most competing Tourbillons run at 3 Hertz only. The higher ‘Beats per Hour’ (BpH) enable a higher accuracy of the Tourbillon calibre. The higher oscillation also makes the calibre less susceptible to gyration effects.

Individually Numbered
Each Tourbillon cage is individually numbered to show the Limited Edition of 188 pieces. The minuscule top plate in the center of the Tourbillon cage is sequentially numbered during production on the Frédérique Constant CNC machine. The number on the cage will match the Limited Edition number on the case, making the combination of calibre and case unique.

Silicium Escapement Wheel
The accuracy of a mechanical movement is dependent on the accuracy of the timing device. The timing device for a Frédérique Constant mechanical Heart Beat Calibre is the balance wheel, the balance-spring and the escapement. The balance wheel spins back and forward with a frequency of 4Hz. The period of swing of the balance wheel determines the accuracy. The crucial element in escapement design is to give just enough energy to the balance wheel in order to keep it swinging, and to interfere with the free swinging of the balance wheel as little as is possible. As the lubrication
of the escapement ages, friction will increase, and less power will be transferred to the balance wheel.

The escapement must keep the balance-spring winding and unwinding. For most of watch-making history, these requirements have involved considerable friction in the escapement. The teeth of the escapement wheel are powered by the main spring power source, and they actually slide against the ratchet teeth before they lock; this is the friction which kicks the anchor but which requires lubrication. In a modern escapement, the teeth of the ratchet are made of very hard and very polished stone, but lubrication is still essential. The ticking sound of a Frédérique Constant watch is the sound of the balance-spring gear and escapement
teeth locking into with each other. If the lubrication fails (through age-related thinning or drying) then the escapement can suffer damage and metal parts will require replacement. The increased reliability of modern watches is due primarily to the higher quality oils used to lubricate the escapement. Typically, a mechanical calibre needs to be cleaned and re-oiled every four years.

Research & Development
In line with watch industry developments, Frédérique Constant researched the application of new materials for its Heart Beat Manufacture calibres. Obviously, a major improvement would be an escapement that does not require regular lubrication. Frédérique Constant is proud to introduce a limited edition series that incorporates a silicium escapement wheel that will no longer need lubrication. Silicium is the ideal material for use in watch making as it is not magnetic, is extremely hard (1100 Vickers compared to 700 Vickers for steel), and is highly resistant to corrosion. The biggest advantage of a silicium escapement wheel is that it does not need to be lubricated. As it does not need to be lubricated, previously mentioned disadvantages such as age-related thinning and drying of lubrication will no longer occur.

Silicium
Silicium is the chemical element in the periodic table that has the symbol Si and atomic number 14. A tetravalent metalloid, Silicium is less reactive than its chemical analog carbon. It does not occur free in nature. It mainly occurs in minerals consisting of (practically) pure Silicium dioxide in different crystalline forms (quartz, chalcedony, opal) and as silicates (various minerals containing Silicium, oxygen and one or another metal), for example feldspar. Silicium is the principal component of most semiconductor devices and, in the form of silica and silicates, in glass, cement, and ceramics. Silicium is widely used in semiconductors because it remains a semiconductor at higher temperatures than the semiconductor Germanium and because its native oxide is easily grown in a furnace and forms a better semiconductor/ dielectric interface than almost all other material combinations. In its crystalline form, Silicium has a dark grey color and a metallic luster. It is similar to glass in that it is rather strong. Pure Silicium has a negative temperature coefficient of resistance, since the number of free charge carriers increases with temperature.