Frederique Constant X Christiaan van der Klaauw Tourbillon Planetarium Only Watch 2023

 

Frederique Constant X Christiaan Van Der Klaauw – Tourbillon Planétarium Platinum Only Watch 2023

 

 

 Only Watch 2023:
Frederique Constant and Christiaan van der Klaauw bring a unique cosmic creation into existence

A friendship spanning 25 years, human endeavour, the summit of high-flying watchmaking expertise and an unprecedented blend of talents have all come together in the Tourbillon Planétarium Only Watch 2023 for the charity timepiece auction. This single piece features a Frederique Constant tourbillon and the brand’s remarkable manual finishings alongside Christiaan van der Klaauw’s planetarium – the smallest in the world and the first ever produced for a wristwatch. The superlative creation has been hand-finished throughout, housed in a platinum case with a diameter of just 42mm. For the first time ever, it unites the Dutch firm’s planetarium with the Geneva tourbillon, both suitably clad for the occasion with an aventurine dial.

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For 35 years now, Frederique Constant has been embodying its mantra of traditional, luxury Swiss Made watchmaking at a fair price, an equation that had been deemed impossible to solve until the Firm’s founders Aletta and Peter Stas did just that. Their vision has been brought to life with the help of dozens of watchmakers, designers, and craftsmen working together in Geneva at Manufacture Frederique Constant.

Niels Eggerding was one of the pillars of this ascent. Working his way up the ranks from Head of Sales to Managing Director before becoming CEO of the Frederique Constant Group, he has gradually established the maison’s international reputation and its status as an acclaimed watchmaking house. For nearly a quarter of a century, Pim Koeslag worked by his side as one of the technical brains that have given birth to over 30 Manufacture calibers, the first of which was released in 2004.

A very fruitful transition

A few months ago, Pim Koeslag moved over to take the helm at Christiaan van der Klaauw. Like him, Aletta and Peter Stas, and indeed Niels Eggerding, the firm is Dutch. In a demonstration of the longstanding friendship between Switzerland and the Netherlands, the two watchmaking houses have made the most of the handover to pool their knowhow. 

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Not for a collection, but for a unique piece to benefit a cause dear to Frederique Constant: Only Watch. This auction has been held every two years since 2003 under the patronage of Prince Albert II of Monaco, with all profits going to Association Monégasque Contre les Myopathies, a charity devoted to research into muscular dystrophy; Frederique Constant has been supporting the initiative since 2005.

How many firsts?

The exceptional collaboration has resulted in an exceptional piece, with the Tourbillon Planétarium Only Watch 2023 boasting more than one first. It’s the first Frederique Constant Manufacture Tourbillon to have a planetarium – and the first Christiaan van der Klaauw piece of this type to feature a tourbillon. 

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It’s also the first time that a Manufacture Frederique Constant timepiece has had an aventurine dial – or indeed a 42-millimetre platinum case, designed especially for the model in question. And too, it’s the first time since the firm’s inception that a Frederique Constant has included a combined month and date display using hands on a single counter. In all, that makes five firsts in one watch – only one of which will ever be made. That itself is unprecedented in Frederique Constant’s history.

The majestic planetarium

The Tourbillon Planétarium Only Watch 2023 isn’t hiding anything: the piece proudly displays its two main complications against the cosmic backdrop of the aventurine dial. The planetarium designed by Christiaan van der Klaauw reigns supreme at 12 o’clock. The man himself created the first such model over 40 years ago, in 1982, for a clock, before miniaturising it for a wristwatch in 1999. Since then, the firm that bears his name has become the unrivalled expert in timepieces with astronomical complications, constantly refining the planetarium through to the version unveiled today, still the smallest mechanical planetarium in the world.

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The heliocentric system brings together six moving discs in the same plane, each with its own planet completing its orbit around the sun in real time: Mercury (88 days), Venus (225 days), Earth (365 days), Mars (687 days), Jupiter (12 years) and Saturn (29 years). This feat, involving such long spans of time, requires some of the mechanisms used to operate at an incredibly slow pace. The wearer will have to wait almost thirty years to see Saturn, the outermost planet in this system, complete a full orbit.

The planetarium surround indicates angles of rotation from 0° to 360° and the relevant star signs for each sector, calibrated with respect to the Earth’s relative position. The colours of the planets use the Only Watch 2023 palette – whilst also remaining faithful to the hues of the original heavenly bodies.

The height of complications and finishes

The Manufacture Tourbillon at six o’clock has been designed, assembled and finished by Frederique Constant in its Geneva manufactory, integrated into a movement that’s been hand-finished throughout. Using traditional tools and instruments, two watchmakers spent weeks on the meticulous finishings of each component: a buff file for bevelling, a hammer and punch for hand-punching, and so on. A single bridge required two or three days’ work.

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Beading and graining the flanks was done entirely by hand, and all the components have been decorated on both sides – even those that aren’t visible. And for what can be seen, Frederique Constant has worked on even the tiniest details, including the block-polished, chamfered screws. The especially demanding technique in question involves diamond polishing a on a zinc plate. Once polished, the screws take on a dark or steel sheen depending on the light, creating endless and unique contrasts depending on the dial’s orientation. The movement has some forty such screws, and it takes some forty minutes to polish and bevel each of them by hand.

An unprecedented composition with unprecedented balance

On the dial side, the two complications brought together here for the first time are supplemented by two counters located on either side, resulting in perfect visual harmony: the day/month pair at 9 o’clock and the respective emblems of Frederique Constant and Christiaan van der Klaauw at 3 o’clock, encircled by the inscription “Only Watch Pièce Unique”. The wording on the tourbillon’s circular surround proudly announces the partnership in full: “Frederique Constant X Christiaan van der Klaauw”.   

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For the caseback, Frederique Constant has created a specific decoration for the automatic bridge (or frame): a miniature artistic engraving, done by hand in a more figurative and abstract spirit. Symbolically, the Sun takes its place at the centre of the composition – and thus of the oscillating weight. Around it, shooting stars and planets wheel through the heavens in delightful, organised cosmic chaos – perfect for a collector in touch with their inner child and still (a little) starry-eyed.
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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Collection   Vintage Rally

Model  Frederique Constant X Christiaan van der Klaauw Tourbillon Planetarium Only Watch 2023

 
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Reference  FC-988OW4HPT

Functions
Hours, Minutes, 60 Seconds tourbillon, Date, Month, Planetarium
Movement
Calibre FC-988 in-house caliber, automatic
Chamfering (anglage), hammering (martelage), circular graining (perlage & cerclage), (perlage & cerclage),
flanks drawing (étirage des flancs), mirror
polishing (poli miroir) decorations made in-house, engraved automatic bridge
Silicon escapement wheel and anchor
38-hour power reserve, 28'800 alt/h, 47 jewels
Case
Polished Platinum 3-part case
Diameter of 42 mm
Height of 13,38 mm
Scratch-resistant and anti-reflective convex sapphire crystal
See-through case back
Water-resistant up to 3 ATM/30m/100ft
Dial
Blue aventurine dial
Applied silver diamond cut indexes
Hand-polished silver colour hour, minute, day and date hands

• Heart Beat opening at 6 o’clock with 60 seconds tourbillon, silver colour second hand
• Planetarium module at 12 o’clock
• Date and month module at 9 o’clock

Strap
Blue alligator leather strap with matt finishing

🔰Limited Edition to 1 piece
Limitation: Unique piece for Only Watch 2023

 🔴Price    Lot 23    Estimated at CHF 90,000 - CHF 110,000 💰

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www.OnlyWatch.com
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Press release - 2023
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Address
Christiaan van der Klaauw b.v.
Businesspark Friesland-West 47
8447 SL Heerenveen
The Netherlands
T +31 (0) 513 - 62-49-06
vanlaar@klaauw.com
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For further Press & Public Relations inquiries, please contact Ms Caroline Feller, PR & Communication Coordinator for Frederique Constant:  cfeller@frederique-constant.com
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Frederique Constant – Vintage Rally Healey Chronograph Edition

 

Frederique Constant – Vintage Rally Healey Chronograph Automatic 42 Edition 2022

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Frederique Constant celebrates the 70-year anniversary
of the Austin-Healey company

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In 2022, Frederique Constant is celebrating the 70th anniversary of its long-standing automotive partner, Austin-Healey, and is renewing its intangible loyalty with two exclusive limited editions. 

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For the occasion, its new mechanical chronograph, the Vintage Rally Healey Chronograph Automatic, has adopted the “British racing green” colour of the legendary vintage car with the NOJ393 number plate. 

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With a bicompax dial and two racing red hands, this timepiece is produced in two versions: the first, limited to 10 watches with the 70 number visible at midday, and the second, with a run of just 700 watches, with the “12” in its normal place.

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Three letters, three numbers: NOJ393. This is the number plate of the famous Austin-Healey 100S, bought in 1969 by a fan of the legendary car. It was the outcome of the collaboration between the Austin Motor Company and that of the driver, Donald Healey, also a creator and designer. 

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A responsive and distinguished racing car, the only one of its kind, of which one of the last original cars was this famous NOJ393 purchased at that time for £155. It fetched 1 million euros when it was sold in December 2011.

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This out-of-the-ordinary enthusiasm demonstrates the power of attraction the vintage Austin-Healey has on collectors of beautiful machines. Its perfectly controlled lines, simultaneously rounded and tight, have made it a model of styling. Its legendary “British racing green” livery has become a classic.

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2022 marks the 70^th anniversary of the creation of this legend, of which Frederique Constant has been the key partner since 2007. The occasion to offer vintage car fans a collector’s piece to wear on the wrist: the Vintage Rally Healey Chronograph Automatic.

Two limited series, one shared DNA

The new Vintage Rally Healey Chronograph Automatic is offered in two versions sharing a 42 mm steel case as well as a common look. Except for one small detail, which makes all the difference: only 10 timepieces will be produced of the first, and instead of the “12” index at midday, Frederique Constant has placed the “70” which celebrates the creation of the Austin-Healey company. 

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTOThe second, limited to 700 timepieces, prefers the watchmaking tradition in which the number12 is in its normal place and the “70^th Anniversary” wording is at 6 o’clock. 

In racing mode

The engine: the mechanical FC-397 calibre automatic winding. On the rev counter: 28,800 beats per hour. Its tank: 48-hour power reserve. Bodywork: British racing green. Dashboard: bicompax, in the purest watchmaking tradition.

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On the left, the seconds counter for the timing part; on the right, the chronograph’s minutes counter. The index and timer are in pure white for perfect legibility on the matt-finish dial, indispensable for a watch dedicated to motor racing. 

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The racing spirit of the piece is emphasised by the two hands of the chronograph which stand out in abright red hue: the central hand for the seconds and the 30 minutes countdown hand at the three o’clock position.

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The hours and minutes hands, as well as the indexes are silver-tone and luminescent. Along the 12 o’clock – 6 o’clock axis the two brandlogos mirror each other, a symbol of their long and faithful union: “Frederique Constant – Geneva” at midday, “Healey” at six o’clock, in its legendary original font.

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As for the chassis, the timepiece is featuresan open case back onto the movement, etched with a “Limited Edition XX/10” or “Limited Edition XX/700” number. The watch is worn on an asphalt black strap finished with two lines of topstitching, like two white lines marking the edges of the track.

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To perfect this parallel with motor racing, the new Vintage Rally Healey Chronograph Automatic comes in its dedicated gift boxalongside a miniature replica of the famous NOJ393.

Lasting loyalty

The union of Frederique Constant and the Austin-Healey companyis no real coincidence. 

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Both are driven by the same passions and values which brought them together in 2004 and continue today: the love of beautiful machines, precision, the celebration of timeless design, the combination of leather and metal, comfort and above all, a certain art of living. Frederique Constant’s Vintage Rally collection, dedicated to this partnership is all of that ...and more.

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Collection   Vintage Rally

Model  Vintage Rally Healey Chronograph Automatic

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 Reference    FC-397HADGR5B6 - Arabic number 70 at 12 o’clock Limited to 10 pieces  

 

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 Reference    FC-397HDGR5B6 - Arabic number 12 at 12 o’clock Limited to 700 pieces 

 
Movement
Caliber FC-397, automatic
48-hour power reserve,
25 jewels, 28'800 alt/h
Functions    Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Mechanical Chronograph
Case
Polished stainless steel 3-part case
Diameter of 42 mm
Height of 14,45 mm
Scratch-resistant convex sapphire crystal
See-through case back
Water-resistant up to 5 ATM/50m/164ft
Dial    
Dark green dial with mat finishing
White graduation printed on inner ring and outer ring
Applied silver color indexes filled with white luminous treatment 

• Arabic number 70 at 12 o’clock (on the occasion of Austin Healey 100 70th anniversary)
• Arabic number 12 at 12 o’clock

Silver color hour and minutehands filled with white luminous treatment
Redchronograph’s seconds hand
Chronograph’s minutes counter at 3 o’clock with red hand
60 seconds counter at 9 o’clock with silver color hand
Strap
Black calf leather strap with off-white stitching

Limited edition 
 Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

PRICES :  RRP 2’595 €

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Press release - 2022
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For further Press & Public Relations inquiries please contact Mrs. Maria Thalia Terezakis,
Frédérique Constant International PR: mterezakis@frederique-constant.com
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Frederique Constant – HIGHLIFE Perpetual Calendar Manufacture Edition

 Frederique Constant – HIGHLIFE Perpetual Calendar Manufacture Rose Gold 41 Special Edition 2020

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The Highlife Perpetual Calendar Manufacture in 18-carat rose gold:

The exception that proves the rule

For over 30 years, Frederique Constant has endorsed luxury Swiss Made timepieces accessible to as many people as possible.  

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This formula, which has greatly inspired many other brands since, remains as valid as ever... with one exception: the new Highlife Perpetual Calendar Manufacture in 18-carat rose gold. This very special timepiece is one for discerning collectors and will be limited to just 30 pieces.

An eagerly awaited revival

With this rare timepiece, Frederique Constant hails the return of its Highlife collection. Created in 1999, it is making its comeback in 2020, having been entirely overhauled. Its distinctive redesigned case houses a dial decorated with a globe motif. Symbolising the Earth, the perfection of the circle, it is also the icon of a new generation that shares the same ideal for saving the planet, sustainable and sensible living. 

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Now available with a diameter of 41 mm, the watch also features an integrated strap. The lack of horns allows for greater flexibility and helps it sit naturally on the wrist. The design necessitates perfect continuity between the lines of the case and the strap, a smooth transition and natural – almost imperceptible – fluidity.

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A special system allows for its straps to be changed in a flash, without the need for tools.

An exceptional edition

In this utterly unique 18-carat rose gold rendition, the Highlife's exquisitely decorated dial is shown off to its very best advantage. Optimum legibility is ensured by the sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides. Complementary rose gold and deep blue echo each other. Every finishing touch is enhanced by amazing reflections, like the case, with its alternating polished and satin finished surfaces.  

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Every counter (month and leap year, day and date) is sunbrushed. Index hour markers are rose gold-plated and luminescent. In keeping with the sleekness of the case design, all of the perpetual calendar’s correctors have been integrated, lending emphasis to the lone rose gold crown at 3 o’clock. 

As sought-after as it is technical

As a perpetual calendar, the new Highlife is testament to the savoir-faire that Frederique Constant has patiently amassed over the past 30 years. The Brand is one of very few to be able to design, produce, assemble and test its own timepieces internally, within its own Geneva-based manufacture.
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From the design to the final quality control, each and every step involved in making the Highlife Perpetual Calendar Manufacture is carried out in-house. Very few Geneva-based Manufactures can demonstrate such watchmaking mastery. This rare 18-carat rose gold colourway serves to reinforce the exclusivity of this timepiece.
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Powered by the Manufacture FC-775 calibre, a self-winding mechanical movement, the 18-carat rose gold Highlife Perpetual Calendar Manufacture beats at a frequency of 28,800 vph and has a power reserve of 38 hours. It comes on a blue nubuck finish alligator strap, unique to this model. For collectors and connoisseurs of fine watchmaking, the movement, featuring intricate perlage and Côtes de Genève decoration, can be admired through the sapphire crystal caseback.

 
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About Frederique Constant

Frederique Constant is a Swiss watchmaking manufacture located in Geneva, Switzerland. The Maison was founded in 1988 by a couple of independent entrepreneurs, Aletta and Peter Stas, to offer quality Swiss watches at competitive prices, with the aim of democratising luxury Swiss Made watches.

Frederique Constant creates, develops, assembles and controls a wide variety of mechanical, quartz and connected timepieces at the same time within its 6,200 m2 Manufacture in Plan-les-Ouates (GE). To this day, Frederique Constant has designed 29 Manufacture calibres, including high complications, such as the Tourbillon, Perpetual Calendar and Flyback Chronograph.

In 2015, Frederique Constant launched the Horological Smartwatch, the first Swiss Made connected timepiece featuring a traditional appearance. Powered by a connected module, the Horological Smartwatch represents a new segment in Swiss watchmaking. In 2018, the Classic Hybrid Manufacture succeeded it, combining a mechanical movement with intelligent features and an integrated calibre analysis system. It was followed by the Smartwatch Vitality line in 2020. Equipped with a new generation built-in heart rate sensor, it features a classic dial, combined with a digital display that is revealed on demand.
In the same year, Frederique Constant reinvigorated the Highlife collection (1999) with a redesigned case and an interchangeable integrated strap. Three new models are presented: the Highlife Perpetual Calendar Manufacture, Highlife Heart Beat and Highlife Automatic COSC.

Frederique Constant is currently present in nearly 3’000 points of sale in 120 countries across the world. In 2016, the Frederique Constant group (Frederique Constant, Alpina Watches, Ateliers deMonaco) joined the Japanese group Citizen, so as to pursue its international development and nurture new synergies.
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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Collection   HIGHLIFE

Model   HIGHLIFE Perpetual Calendar Manufacture

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Reference FC-775N4NH9

Movement
CaliberFC-775 Manufacture automatic caliber, perpetual calendar,
Perlage & Circular Côtes de Genève decoration on movement
26 jewels, 38-hour power reserve, 28’800 alt/h
Functions Hours, minutes, moonphase, date, day, month, leap year
Case
18K rose gold polished 3-parts case
Diameter of 41mm
Convex sapphire crystal with anti-glare coating on both sides
See-through case back
Water-resistant up to 3 ATM
Dial
Navy color dial with sunray decoration and applied rose gold-plated indexes
Hand-polished rose gold-plated hands with white luminous treatment
Bracelet
Navy blue Nubuck alligator leather strap

Limited editon
Limited to 30 pieces

PRICES :  RRP 29’995 €

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Press release - 2020
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For further Press & Public Relations inquiries please contact Mrs. Maria Thalia Terezakis,
Frédérique Constant International PR: mterezakis@frederique-constant.com
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