The name of the watch, Classic Manufacture, indicates that the movement is made in-house by Frederique Constant, which has had this capability since 2004. The FC-710 calibre, introduced in 2012 as the entry-level movement for the Manufacture Collection, is used in these two new watches with classic dial design.
The narrow Roman numerals and the subdial at 6 o’clock give the pieces the marine chronometer-type look, but the subdial is in fact for the date. There is a central seconds hand. The Classic Manufacture’s layout is a clever way of placing the date on the dial in a format that is more elegant than the usual date window. The case is 42 mm in diameter, in stainless steel, water resistance 5 bar, 50 metres. A display caseback reveals the movement with its perlage and Côtes de Genève decoration. Black leather strap.
The FC-710 movement is self-winding, with 26 jewels. It runs at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hertz) and provides a 42-hour power reserve. Seen through the caseback, the movement is rather minimalistic in appearance, with a skeletonized rotor, a circular well for the balance, and a mainplate with blued screws.
Price and reference
The silvered-dial version of the Frederique Constant Classic Manufacture is reference FC-710MS4H6. The black-dial version is reference FC-710MB4H6. Price €2,290, US$2,495, £1,850. It’s not the cheapest entry-level mechanical watch, but it’s certainly one of the cheapest with an in-house movement.
