Frederique Constant | BASELWORLD 2015 Baselworld News | FREDERIQUE CONSTANT

FREDERIQUE CONSTANT | Frédérique Constant

Swiss Watchmaker Ventures into a New Genre (1)

The "Classic Index Horological Smartwatch," announced simultaneously in Japan and the United States in February 2015 and generating considerable buzz, was also drawing significant attention at Baselworld.Frédérique Constantis a traditional mechanical watch brand, even possessing its own in-house mechanical movements. However, its agility in venturing into the smartwatch business is a testament to the brand's pioneering spirit.

Text by KAWADA Akinori

Accurate Timekeeping and Practical Tools for Well-being

From its exterior alone, one would not guess it is a quartz watch, owing to its classic design. Yet, the wristwatch and smartphone are constantly linked via Bluetooth, sharing data. This "Classic Index Horological Smartwatch" is equipped with the "Motion X" system, provided by MMT, a joint venture established by the Frédérique Constant Group and Silicon Valley's Fullpower Technologies.

This system senses and digitizes information about the wearer's physical activity and sleep patterns through the watch. It then transmits this data to the smartphone via a linked app.

The smartphone app then clearly displays this information graphically on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. It sets and coaches users towards appropriate activity and sleep goals, aiding in health improvement. Furthermore, by syncing with a smartphone, the watch constantly receives and corrects accurate time data, ensuring precise time display.

FREDERIQUE CONSTANT | Frédérique Constant

What is truly remarkable about this wristwatch is that despite being an advanced electronic device for monitoring one's physical condition, it feels nothing like one, presenting itself as a traditional, dressy timepiece.

The silver dial, rose gold-coated case, matching leaf hands, and bar and Roman numeral indices, along with the pointer-style date display and moon phase at 6 o'clock, are entirely those of an analog, elegant, and classical watch. Yet, beneath the surface, an electronic device functions ceaselessly, monitoring your health status.

Classic Index Horological Smartwatch
Case | Rose gold plated stainless steel
Size | 42mm
Movement | Quartz (Cal. FC285)
Functions | MotionX® technology (MotionX® activity tracking synced with smartphone, Sleeptracker® sleep monitoring, sleep cycle alarm, get active alerts, adaptive coaching, etc.), time correction function, pointer-style date display & pointer-style moon phase display (coaxially arranged at 6 o'clock)
Strap | Leather
Water Resistance | 5 ATM
Release | Scheduled for August
Estimated Price | ¥199,800

FREDERIQUE CONSTANT | Frédérique Constant

Swiss Watchmaker Ventures into a New Genre (2)

Navy Dial Added to Worldtimer

Worldtimer ManufactureThe "Worldtimer Manufacture," introduced in 2012, is a popular model that has steadily expanded its variations. While the local time is displayed by the hour and minute hands, the combination of the city ring around the dial's perimeter and the 24-hour index time ring allows for an at-a-glance view of the current time in 24 time zones worldwide.

Operation is also simple: by operating the crown, the city ring can be adjusted. Setting the representative city name of one's current time zone at the 12 o'clock position automatically adjusts the hour and minute hands and the time ring in conjunction.

This is an essential function for business travelers. In 2015, an elegant model featuring a world map at the center of the dial, realized with an in-house movement, was released with a deep navy dial.

The deep navy hue pairs well with suits and can be worn casually, making it a model that transcends TPO. It also aligns with the trend for blue dials. This represents a pleasing, concrete evolution in design.