New Heart Beat Manufacture, “Côte de Genève”: Live your Passion!
Genève, March 2006: After the major success of the Heart Beat Manufacture Moonphase-Date, launched in 2005, Frédérique Constant proudly introduces a unique version in 2006. The Heart Beat Manufacture Moonphase-Date, “Côte de Genève”. The beautiful Côte de Genève decoration of this watch is clearly visible, due to the distinctive “No-dial” design, while remaining very much legible due to the minute track and moon phase indicator at the 12 o’ clock position. 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. 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 nightblue 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 diamondcut 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 “Côte de Genève” will be available in an 18K solid gold case, limited to 99 pieces per model. In addition, a Stainless Steel version is available limited to 188 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. Various added complications are in development. The Moonphase-Date was the first complication which was added to the Heart Beat Manufacture calibre.
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.
Specifications 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
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