New Automatic Heart Beat Manufacture: Live your passion!
Genève, March 2006: After the major success of the Heart Beat Manufacture, launched in 2004, Frédérique Constant proudly introduces the first automatic version of its Heart Beat Manufacture. This Heart Beat Manufacture 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.
Attention for detail
The automatic calibre for the FC-930 Heart Beat Manufacture Automatic watches is made of 126 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 beveled 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 Automatic watch. The bridges of the calibre are decorated with Côte de Genève pattern and the main plate is circulargrained 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 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 striking 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.
Limited Editions in Rose Gold and Stainless Steel
The Frédérique Constant Heart Beat Manufacture Automatic will be available in an 18K solid rose gold case, limited to 188 pieces per model. In addition, a Stainless Steel version is available limited to 1888 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.
Team and Co-operation
The Heart Beat Manufacture calibre 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 first mentioned in October 2001. After extensive research and intensive discussions with the various parties, prototyping was started, followed by various production programmes over the past years. The first edition of the brand new Heart Beat calibre, manually wound, was presented to the trade press at Baselworld 2004. In June 2004, the first deliveries started and the initial production was quickly sold-out. During Baselworld 2005, Frédérique Constant added its first complications to its manufacture calibre on the Heart Beat Manufacture Moonphase-Date. Various added complications and variations of the Manufacture calibre are constantly in development.
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 analysed 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 main plates 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.
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
· 48 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
· Decoration Côte de Genève, Perlage
· Gold plated rotor decorated with Côte de Genève
CAD-impressions
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
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