In a notable collaboration that marries British design flair with Swiss watchmaking precision, Frederique Constant and the esteemed British watchmaker Peter Speake have introduced the Slimline Perpetual Calendar Manufacture. This exceptional timepiece, limited to just 135 pieces worldwide, is a showcase of both brands’ commitment to horological excellence and innovative design.
Crafted with a 42-millimetre steel case, the watch is a standout addition to the Manufacture collection, offering a masterful blend of style and technical sophistication. The Slimline Perpetual Calendar Manufacture is distinguished by its use of openwork, a design choice that brings the intricate Manufacture Perpetual Calendar movement to the forefront, allowing watch enthusiasts to admire its detailed mechanics and precision.
The design ethos of the watch is defined by openwork, with skeletonised displays and hands that reveal the FC-775 calibre’s mechanical intricacies. The removal of the second hand aligns with the timepiece’s focus on essential functionality, while a luminous coating on the hands ensures visibility in low-light conditions. The watch employs a minimalist colour scheme of white and matt anthracite grey, accented with red on the tips of three hands, enhancing readability and adding subtle contrast.
True to Frederique Constant’s heritage, the movement features exquisite finishes, including lined finishes on each component and circular satin finishes on the gears of the perpetual calendar, complemented by blued screws—a nod to the traditions of fine Geneva watchmaking. The transparent case back offers a view of the openwork oscillating weight, characteristic of the Maison’s Manufacturing movements, and boasts a 38-hour power reserve. In a distinctive touch, the rotor is coloured blue, mirroring the blued screws, with ‘Limited Edition 135 pieces’ engraved on each model.
As a complication, the perpetual calendar ranks among the most prestigious in fine watchmaking, capable of displaying all calendar information at a glance while automatically adjusting for the Gregorian calendar’s quirks. Frederique Constant has ensured that the day and date are displayed along the dial’s horizontal axis for intuitive reading, with the month and moon phases positioned at 12 and 6 o’clock, respectively.
The Frederique Constant Slimline Perpetual Calendar Manufacture is priced at SGD 20,970 including tax.
