Frederique Constant Slimline Perpetual Calendar Manufacture Designed by Peter Speake
Frederique Constant’s release of a new perpetual calendar watch at the beginning of this year could not have been better timed. The Slimline Perpetual Calendar Manufacture Designed by Peter Speake was created in cooperation with the independent British watchmaker Peter Speake, who conceived a minimalistic design with an open-worked dial and selected colour accents. The timepiece is a limited edition and part of the Manufacture collection.
Slimline Perpetual Calendar Manufacture Designed by Peter Speake: The case
Made of polished stainless steel, the three-part case offers an elegant frame for the movement with its prodigious complication. The diameter of the Slimline Perpetual Calendar Manufacture Designed by Peter Speake is 42 mm and the case measures 12.05 mm in height. Moreover, anti-reflective, convex sapphire crystal protects the sensitive movement on the front and open caseback, through which the wearer can admire the skeletonised rotor.
In addition to the engraving ‘3 ATM’, which refers to the water-resistance of up to 30 metres, the engraved cursive lettering ‘Frederique Constant Perpetual Manufacture’ adorns the frame of the open caseback.
Slimline Perpetual Calendar Manufacture Designed by Peter Speake: The dial
The open-worked dial echoes the shape of the case with its cloverleaf pattern. It made up of the four tangent, ring-shaped displays of the perpetual calendar. Convenient for everyday use, the rings displaying the day and date are placed next to each other. While the month is showcased at 12 o’clock, the date is located at 3 o’clock, the moonphase is at 6 o’clock, and the weekdays are featured at 9 o’clock. The printed white indices covered in luminous paint stand out against the matt anthracite-grey dial.
In keeping with the airy design, the dial’s five hands are skeletonised. The hour and minute hands as well as the three hands for month, day, and date have a luminescent coating. In addition, the latter bear red colour accents on their triangular tip. Last but not least, the moonphase also glows in the dark or in poor visibility conditions.
Slimline Perpetual Calendar Manufacture Designed by Peter Speake: The movement
At the heart of the Slimline Perpetual Calendar Manufacture Designed by Peter Speake is the in-house automatic calibre FC-775. Here, too, the functional components have been refined in an aesthetically pleasing way, including components with perlage decoration. The wheels of the perpetual calendar, on the other hand, have a circular, satin finish. Blued screws and a blue rotor provide additional pops of colour. To match the dial, the bridge is anthracite-coloured and features the engraving ‘Designed by Peter Speake Limited Edition 135 pieces.’
The movement oscillates at a frequency of 4 Hz and has a power reserve of 38 hours. There is no need to manually adjust the watch’s indications in the event of a leap year as the grand complication of the perpetual calendar has been set accordingly. Thus, a small window integrated into the month ring indicates a year with 366 days through a red dot. Otherwise, the dot in the window remains white.
Strap, price, and availability
A dark grey Nylon strap with white lining and a folding clasp rounds off the 135 pieces of this limited-edition watch. The timepiece is available for 11,995 euros.
The fifth LVMH Watch Week, which took place in Miami from January 28 to February 1, was proof of LVMH's ambition to become ever more influential in the watch sector, in which it is now the fourth largest power after Rolex, Richemont and the Swatch Group. To this end, the family-owned business is gearing up…
Chopard has acted as the official timekeeper of the Italian classic car rally Mille Miglia. Not only does Chopard's co-president take part in the 1000-mile race, but also the annual event sees the introduction of exclusive timepieces to celebrate the events. This year, Chopard presents the Mille Miglia GTS Azzurro Power Control and the Mille…
Audemars Piguet is introducing the Royal Oak Offshore Flying Tourbillon Flyback-Chronograph into its recently updated Offshore collection. The watch combines a flyback chronograph with a flying tourbillon. Furthermore, it is a limited edition of only 100 pieces. Revised case The case of the new model is titanium, and measures 43 mm in diameter. Interestingly, to…
Vacheron Constantin is introducing the Patrimony Moon Phase and Retrograde Date to its Excellence Platine collection. This collection has two new additions every year, and offers enthusiasts limited platinum editions. Now, it is exclusively available in Vacheron Constantin boutiques and is a limited edition of 50 pieces. Furthermore, the new Patrimony watch has a 42.5…
The year 2023 has barely begun yet the first trade fair, LVMH Watch Week, is already underway – and with it come many innovations that are worth discussing in more detail. The fourth edition of LVMH Watch Week will take place in Singapore at the luxurious Capella Hotel, where the four watchmaking houses of the…
Breguet is presenting a new variant of the Tradition 7047. The watch puts the spotlight on the mechanics and integrates a tourbillon as well as a drive via chain and fusée. The new model now has a blue dial and a tourbillon cage and fusée in the same colour. Previously, the watch was only available…
At the beginning of 2024, Tudor announced its return to motorsport and unveiled an exclusive version of the Black Bay Ceramic “Blue”. This watch, specially designed for the new Formula 1 team Visa Cash App RB, reflects Tudor's tradition in racing. With a ceramic case, a blue dial reminiscent of the team’s racing colors, and…
Inspired by the Memovox Polaris watch from 1968, Jaeger-LeCoultre has developed a new collection to join the brand’s existing pillars. Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Collection These models are a homage to a historical reference, the Memovox Polaris. But also they represent today’s spirit and modernity. The new Polaris collection offers a full range of timepieces: a three-hand automatic, a chronograph…
From Claudia Schiffer to Cartier's ambassador Rami Malek, Cartier's Tank Française has long been a staple for many a fan of the Tank. Nevertheless, after peacefully existing at the company for the past 20 years, Cartier is now adding a new spin to its Tank Française. While six of the current models are quartz, Cartier…
The new Blancpain Air Command is based on a historic timepiece that was only produced very limitedly in the 1950s. As a result, these originals always fetch large sums at auction. Now the descendant of the Blancpain Pilot's Watch appears in a titanium or red gold case. The watch also features a chronograph with flyback…
When Breitling announced its partnership as the official timekeeper of FC Bayern Munich last year, one question quickly arose: how would such a collaboration be expressed in the form of a watch? The answer has now arrived with the launch of the Breitling Top Time B01 125 Years FC Bayern München Limited Edition, marking the…
Ahead of this year's America's Cup, Panerai is introducing the Submersible Luna Rossa PAM01565 in satin-finished stainless steel. The timepiece pays tribute to the manufacture's role as sponsor of the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli sailing team, which has been in action since 2019. Prada and Panerai already competed in their first America's Cup in 2021.…