Some designs have been so important for a brand that they become one of its pillars. The success of Frederique Constant is forever tied with their Heart Beat models. By showing the balance wheel through an opening of the dial, they made a visual connection with the beating heart of the timepiece. This was much more than a dynamic element, as it also an expression of passion by Frederique Constant’s founders, Peter and Aletta Stas.
Legacies like this have to be perpetuated. As Frederique Constant grew to become a true manufacture, they never lost sight of how it all began. With the introduction of two new variations within the Heart Beat collection, the brand proves the staying power of this design which debuted in 1994. Even after all these years, the design still looks fresh and captivating. While the balance wheel instantly draws your attention, there is much more to admire. The brand opted for a subtle guilloche motif on the dial, which gives it a rich appearance. It is also embodies that classic sense of elegance which is further underscored by the Roman numerals on the dial.
Frederique Constant introduces two varieties of the watch, one with a classic silver dial and the other in a more unusual khaki green. Both go very well with the 40mm large stainless steel case while maintaining a character of their own. The silver dialed version is more traditional in that aspect, while the khaki green expresses a new sense of luxury with this captivating color. To maintain legibility, Frederique Constant made the right choice by making the hands white so that they are easily visible against the green backdrop.
Inside both models, ticks caliber FC-303. This reliable movement is based on the Sellita SW200-1, runs at 28,800 VpH/4Hz, and has a power reserve of 38 hours. While some might have hoped for a little more upscale movement, like one of Frederique Constant’s manufacture calibers, I think that this choice is on par. The mission of Stas was from the beginning to democratize Swiss timepieces, and with watches like this they have exactly done that. This caliber has proven itself as being reliable and precise, as Frederique Constant even had it Chronometer-certified in other models. It also allows them to keep the price of these two new Heart Beat models at $1.495 – offering a lot of bang for your buck.
More information on the Classics Heart Beat Automatic can be found on the website of Frederique Constant.