A Beating Heart: the Frederique Constant Classic Heart Beat Moonphase Date

Frederique Constant was founded in 1988 and exploded into the horology world, with the release of a new, innovative timepiece they named the “Heart Beat” model. It was a watch with a pulsing balance wheel, and, better yet, a mechanical movement made visible to the wearer through a window on the face of the dial.

Now the Classic Heart Beat Moonphase Date is back in the spotlight, in an exclusive with the Watches of Switzerland Group. It embodies the spirit of the iconic timepiece of 1994, with added technology and aesthetics taking it to the 21st century in design. The result? A perfectly balanced 40mm case timepiece, that sits harmoniously on every wrist.

A Window to the Movement

The 40mm timepiece houses a deep blue dial and provides the perfect backdrop to the aperture placed at 12 o’clock. Here we see its escapement bringing the self-winding FC-335 mechanical movement to life, beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour with an approximate 38-hour power reserve. The design is all about simplicity: winding, hours, minutes, date, and moon phases are all adjusted with just a single crown. The first position winds the movement, while the fourth adjusts the time. The date can be changed in the second position, and the moon phases in the third.

The innovation of the design is still just as impressive as it was 30 years prior and is built with simplicity in mind. The uncomplicated design of the timepiece allow the aperture, and the heart beat of the watch, to take centre stage.

The Dial

The navy dial is contrasted with white, roman numerals as hour markers and white coated hands. The first two hands, the hours and minutes, end in a so-called "hollowed apple" motif and serve as a subtle historical nod to the traditional aesthetic canons of early watchmaking. The next, the seconds—long and slim—keeps the time of the self-winding FC-335 movement visible through the sapphire caseback. The final hand, standing out with its arrow motif, points towards the date, shown in a circle on the flange.

THE MOON PHASE

In perfect symmetry with the heart beat aperture, a moon phase sits at 6 o'clock with a lighter blue hue. The moon phase serves as a reminder that, in the words of historian Dominique Fléchon, "watchmaking is a child of astronomy" and that time was first measured by observing the stars. Now this poetic complication, with an almost monthly cycle (29.5 days), balances the accurate and quick cadence of the seconds hand, bridging the gap between short and long periods of time.

Elegance and luxury, at a delectable price point of just £1,595. Explore more from Frederique Constant here Watches of Switzerland.