Frederique Constant is one of those little-known manufactures. So little that many fans do not know that he is the inventor of the Heart Beat (an opening in the dial that allows you to see the steering wheel in action).
It may now seem more or less common since many brands have copied it, but the truth is that the original design is its own. It was precisely this characteristic (and not having patented it) that somehow led them in 2001 to design their first own caliber: given the arrangement of elements in the ETAsa movements, they needed to “bring the balance closer to the dial so that it would be more visible through its opening. In 2004, the first manufacturing caliber of the fifteen that currently appear in its collections is presented.
And it is precisely one of them, the FC-710, that animates the Slimline Manufacture that I have had the opportunity to try. It is a dress watch both in appearance – rose gold plated and alligator strap – and in terms of its dimensions: 42 millimeters in diameter by 12.5 millimeters high.
It would seem like a lot, but the ingenious design of the box makes it appear much smaller in height than those almost thirteen millimeters: with an inverted truncated-conical shape, it is accompanied by handles with a strong slope that meet wrists with dimensions between 16 and 22 centimeters in circumference to sit perfectly on them (the one seen in the photos - mine - measures 17.5 cm.).
The color of the gold is indisputably red, which leads me to think that it contains a quantity of copper above the usual and that in my opinion gives it personality. Both the execution and the finishes have little (nothing) to envy of brands with much more renown and price, although I miss an anti-reflective treatment on that domed sapphire, which has given me real problems when photographing that beautiful blue dial that is housed underneath. The chive-type crown finishes the classic touch of the set.
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Unlike many gold-plated watches, the Slimline (and I assume all Frederique Constants) also have a gold caseback, which contributes to the excellent overall perception. It also has a transparent sapphire cover that allows you to see the Slimline's second name: the FC-710 in-house automatic movement with date. 26 jewels, 28,800 alternations and 42 hours of power reserve. Excellently finished, it provides the visual pleasure expected from a seen background. The equally plated, openwork and decorated oscillating weight is another point in its favor. As could not be otherwise in a modern manufacture, it has a quick date pass in a comparatively unusual format such as by hand on the subdial at six o'clock.
The dial of the FC-710N4S4 is perhaps the most striking distinctive element of this watch. Intense blue with Soleil engraving, it is extremely difficult to photograph to convey all its beauty. The applied indexes and the three hands
lancet are made in the same tone of gold as the case. The whole set is complemented by a blue alligator strap that matches the dial and – as can be seen on it – handmade with a buckle also plated in rose gold. Put on the wrist, and as I said at the beginning, the flat (slim) appearance of the watch is surprising considering its thickness: a true design success. Very light, it sits perfectly on the wrist despite the tightness of the new strap, although I guess it won't be difficult to break it in.
As a presentation case, it comes with a wooden box that looks like beech, varnished in a mirror gloss and cherry tone, protected in turn by a cardboard box with the characteristic cream and green tones of Frederique Constant.
All this for a price in store (Spain) of €2,790, although we can stay in €2,490 if we decide on polished steel. Prices that, without being popular, put the first manufacture of the collection within reach and confirms the brand's new slogan: “Accessible luxury.”
www.frederique-constant.com
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