New Design, New Movement: the Classic Perpetual Calendar Manufacture by Frédérique Constant Makes Its Return
When it was first released in 2016, the Classic Perpetual Calendar Manufacture by Frédérique Constant was the most accessible perpetual calendar on the watchmaking market. Today, the piece pushes the boundaries even further — elevating the quality, the finishing of its components, and the technical features of its movement.
Its dial now sports collectors’ favourite colour — a refined salmon shade — paired with a new 40 mm steel case. This redesigned Classic case houses the brand-new Manufacture calibre FC-776, the 34th in-house movement developed by the Geneva-based watchmaker, now offering an extended three-day power reserve.
Now a fully integrated manufacture and part of an international group, Frédérique Constant has never lost sight of its mission — even when tackling the Holy Grail of watchmaking complications: the perpetual calendar.
A mechanism capable of displaying the day, month, and date while automatically accounting for leap years was once considered forever out of reach in terms of pricing. Frédérique Constant proved otherwise — first in 2016, by launching its inaugural perpetual calendar, and now once again by revisiting it to refine both form and function… while maintaining its exceptional affordability.
The timepiece adopts the new Classic case by Frédérique Constant, now reduced to 40 mm in diameter. Inspired by the codes of fine vintage watchmaking, it embodies balance and understated elegance. The lugs have been slimmed, the geometry softened.
On the dial side, the new salmon tone enhances this subtle and radiant harmony. Two hand-polished dauphine hands glide over refined, elongated hour markers, redesigned for this edition. These markers are set along a sector-style minute track — a signature of early 20th-century timepieces.
With no hour or minute numerals, the face embraces minimalism, letting the perpetual calendar indications breathe: month and leap year at 12 o’clock, day at 9 o’clock, and date at 3 o’clock. Gently recessed sub-dials add depth and texture, while a moon-phase display completes the composition at 6 o’clock.
This refined perpetual calendar is powered by the new in-house calibre FC-776 — the 34th movement developed by the Maison. It benefits from a three-day power reserve, thanks to developments made in 2024 based on the FC-706–716 calibres.
Visible through a sapphire caseback, it is a high-precision movement beating at 4 Hz. Each watch is regulated and tested in six positions to ensure accuracy in all daily conditions.
The FC-776 builds upon the robust technical architecture of the Manufacture FC-775 calibre, inheriting most of its components — making it a thoroughly proven and highly reliable movement.
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