Auf der Watches & Wonders 2025 stellte Frederique Constant erstmals die Classic Perpetual Calendar Manufacture mit dem neuen Manufakturkaliber FC-776 vor. Nun folgen drei weitere Modelle: zwei Edelstahlvarianten und eine auf 37 Exemplare limitierte Gelbgold-Ausführung. Bezahlbarer Luxus und Manufakturqualität gehen auch bei diesem Trio – wie bei Frederique Constant üblich – eine Liaison ein.
The collection itself is not new. Frederique Constant first introduced the Classic Perpetual Calendar Manufacture back in 2016. However, beyond the aesthetic updates, this Perpetual Calendar has captured attention this spring with a noteworthy technical evolution. This is thanks to the introduction of Frederique Constant’s 34th and most recent manufacture calibre.
This development highlights one of the defining characteristics of the company, which has been part of the Citizen Group since 2016: its tireless dedication to developing new mechanical movements. This is all the more impressive considering Frederique Constant itself was founded just 37 years ago. It was only in 2004, with the establishment of its own manufactory in Geneva, that the firm gained the capacity to produce in-house calibres.
Affordable luxury has always been the brand’s guiding principle. This has not changed, even with its ascent to a true manufacture 21 years ago. As Niels Eggerding, CEO of Frederique Constant, explained at this year’s Watches & Wonders, this core value naturally extends to the Classic Perpetual Calendar Manufacture.
„Our new Classic Perpetual Calendar Manufacture, with its salmon-coloured dial and smaller 40-millimetre case, is equipped with our 34th manufacture calibre, the self-winding FC-776, which boasts a 72-hour power reserve. Selling this watch will be a breeze. Sophisticated engineering, the finest craftsmanship, and a beautiful design – all for under 10,000 euros. It’s a truly incredible price, as is customary for Frederique Constant.“
It is not known whether this particular Classic Perpetual Calendar Manufacture, with the FC-776 calibre beating inside, has already sold out. Nevertheless, the time seemed ripe for Frederique Constant to introduce new variations, which bring gold and new colours into play. Of course, the 10,000-euro threshold could not be maintained for the precious metal edition.
Frederique Constant’s journey into manufacturing began in 2004 with the manual-winding movement, the FC-910. In a way, it was a gift from the brand to itself, marking the 10th anniversary of the Heart Beat collection—a line that remains intrinsically linked to the DNA of Frederique Constant to this day. Its hallmark feature is the exposed escapement at 12 o’clock. This was to be the first of many in-house creations.
The latest in this lineage, calibre FC-776, has been beating within the Classic Perpetual Calendar Manufacture models since this year. It succeeds the FC-775, offering optimised features such as enhanced performance and a power reserve that has been almost doubled to a generous 72 hours.
Alongside indications for the hours, minutes, moonphase, date, month, and day of the week, the 4-Hertz automatic movement masters the Grand Complication of the Perpetual Calendar. This means it will remain accurate, unaffected by the irregularities of our Gregorian calendar, until the year 2100. All of its functions can be conveniently controlled via a single crown at 3 o’clock.
And, as befits a manufacture calibre, it is adorned with high-quality decorations, including perlage, Geneva stripes (Côtes de Genève), blued screws, and a partially skeletonised rotor. The aesthetic beauty of the mechanism is visible through the screwed-in sapphire crystal case back.
The new calibre is featured in a non-limited stainless steel version (References FC-776N3H6 & FC-776S3H6) and in a limited edition of 37 pieces in 18-carat yellow gold (Reference FC-776ONB3H7). Regardless of the material, the diameter of the three-part case construction is 40 millimetres. In terms of water resistance, however, the stainless steel model surpasses the gold, offering 5 bar compared to 3 bar.
The case is topped by an anti-reflective, convex sapphire crystal, which provides an unobstructed view of the new dial colours. Following the salmon dial introduced in spring, the collection now includes a navy blue and a silver dial with a sunray finish for the stainless steel models, as well as a black onyx dial for the gold version.
All dials feature a classic railway track minute scale, colour-coordinated with the graduations. The indices and hand-polished hands have been matched to their respective case materials.
The positioning of the displays—date at 3 o’clock, day of the week at 9 o’clock, month and leap year at 12 o’clock, and moonphase at 6 o’clock—underscores the classic aesthetic of the new Classic Perpetual Calendar Manufacture models.
The stainless steel version is secured to the wrist with a navy blue alligator leather strap. For the gold model, this is a black alligator leather strap. Both are equipped with a folding clasp.
The new Classic Perpetual Calendar Manufacture models are available now, priced at €9,995 for the stainless steel versions and €29,995 for the yellow gold edition.
