Frederique Constant Classic Date Manufacture Watch Review
The Frederique Constant Classic Date Manufacture is the latest egalitarian offering from the Geneva-based Maison. Sporting an elegant dial, housed in a neat 40 mm case and endowed with an attractively appointed in-house movement, this latest reference offers much for comparatively little. US-based Meehna Goldsmith guides the reader around this neat timepiece, offered in three variants, in her own inimitable style.
Frederique Constant watch
Though a simple complication, the date is probably the most relevant and practical in daily life. Somehow, the date is a slippery number to remember. At least once a day I ask myself or someone near me, what’s today’s date? With the introduction of three new Classic Date models, Frederique Constant addresses the problem with panache and flair.
The Classic Date was already a popular staple in the Frederique Constant canon. These latest renditions are all about refinement, from aesthetics to the movement ticking within. In the early noughties, watch sizes started to trend upward. And not just by a little bit. The once classic 35-37 mm diameter was pumped up into the 40s and sometimes 50s. It seemed the bigger the better, but truth be told a lot of these watches were hard to wear, unless you had Schwarzenegger-sized wrists. As with any trend, the pendulum inevitably swings back, and I’m happy to see watches revert to reasonable proportions that address changing tastes.
Frederique Constant Classic Date Manufacture case
For the Classic Date Manufacture, Frederique Constant scaled back the size of the watch from 42 mm to 40 mm, which fits comfortably on the wrist, but still makes a bold statement. In addition, the artistic presentation has shifted to a more modern and minimalist design.
Frederique Constant Classic Date Manufacture dial
The dial dispenses with numerals and instead employs slim hour markers and a railroad minute track to showcase the new sunburst dials presented in silver, black or salmon finish. Diamond-faceted and polished, the applique hour markers cut a stylish figure.
In order to feature the date at 6 o’clock, the markers at 5 and 7 o’clock are smaller and appear to gently hug the display. Date wheels usually take up residence at 3 o’clock and are more about function than an aesthetic necessity. In this case, the date takes up a lot of real estate, becoming part of the overall décor. Although the diameter of the case is 2 mm smaller than the previous model, the dial feels crisper and the indications more easily discerned.
To match the style of the hour markers, the Alpha-style hour and minute hands are also diamond-cut. Luxury is found in the details and the brand relishes them as seen in the hand-polished hour, minutes and seconds hand. To wind the watch, a nice and grippy onion-type crown resides at 3 o’clock, offering nice tactile engagement with the timepiece.
Frederique Constant FC-706 Manufacture movement
Under the hood, the Frederique Constant Classic Date Manufacture sports an entirely new calibre, the self-winding FC-706 Manufacture movement. While the previous calibres had a 38-hour power reserve, this one cranks it up to 72 hours of autonomy, which will get you through the weekend without having to worry about winding. More than just a capable workhorse, the movement, incorporating redesigned bridges to accommodate the larger barrel, displays refined decoration. While the previous movement opted for a circular motif on the bridges, the FC-706 uses a lovely beading and a fan-shaped Cotes de Genève finish, which can be admired through the sapphire caseback. So confident of the quality, Frederique Constant backs this watch with an incredible 5-year warranty.
Cased in stainless steel, all of the different variations of the Classic Date Manufacture have their appeal. The gleam of the salmon dial is contrasted with a chocolate-brown alligator strap with date and minute indications coloured black for sharp legibility. Likewise, the shimmery silver sunray pattern, paired with a navy blue alligator strap, also uses black for the date and minute indications. The sheen of the deep black sunray dial provides a rich backdrop for the plucky white colour of the date and minute indications. Each date wheel is punctuated with the ’31’ in red, creating more depth and dimension.
Frederique Constant Classic Date Manufacture – closing remarks
The Frederique Constant Classic Date Manufacture takes a useful complication and incorporates it into a streamlined presentation that not only adds to the piece but is essential to its design. Updated for modern tastes, the 40 mm diameter hits the sweet spot that accentuates the wrist rather than overwhelms. Moreover, all three versions of this classical timepiece offer high value and luxury at a tasty price point.
Technical specifications
- Model: Frederique Constant Classic Date Manufacture
- Reference: FC-706SAL3H6 (stainless steel with salmon dial)
- Reference: FC-706S3H6 (stainless steel with silver dial)
- Reference: FC-706B3H6 (stainless steel with black dial)
- Case: diameter 40 mm, height 12.40 mm, water resistance 5 ATM (50 metres), sapphire crystals to front and caseback.
- Functions: hours, minutes, seconds, pointer date
- Movement: FC-706 in-house calibre, automatic movement, frequency 28,800 vph (4 Hz), 26 jewels, 72 hour power reserve
- Strap: colour-coordinating alligator leather strap with steel folding buckle
- Price: £2,995 (RRP as of 31.5.2024)