Frédérique Constant Classic Tourbillon Meteorite Manufacture

Frederique Constant is known chiefly for its interesting take on Swiss watchmaking, entirely focused on accessible luxury. With all models, whether a sporty time-only watch, an innovation that no one saw coming or a complex perpetual calendar, the brand always delivers more than expected. With the new Frédérique Constant Classic Tourbillon Meteorite Manufacture, we enter a somewhat different sphere and price segment, which on paper doesn’t really feel like accessible luxury anymore… Or is it still? Marking the 35th anniversary of the brand and the 15th anniversary of its tourbillon calibre, the brand releases a surprisingly high-end, hand-decorated model oozing luxury everywhere. Looking at the brand’s portfolio, you can clearly see a pricing sweet spot ranging from EUR 1.5k to 4k. Some watches, far more complex, can go up to low 5-digit prices, but even there, you’d still get a lot of watchmaking for your money. Today’s watch plays in a different league, sitting well above the 40k mark – far from the brand’s usual comfort zone. Based on the recently launched Frédérique Constant Classic Tourbillon Meteorite Manufacture, a watch powered by an in-house tourbillon movement retailing below EUR 15k in steel, Frederique Constant releases what could well be its most high-end watch to date. And it’s not only about the materials, as the back has some surprises too. Technically speaking, this new Classic Tourbillon Meteorite Manufacture is identical to the previous gold or steel editions of this watch. A streamlined watch entirely devoted to the anti-gravity regulator, it comes in a sleek and nicely proportioned case of 39mm x 11mm but is made of 950 platinum with an entirely polished finish. The dial, which follows the same principle of discretion, retains its thin, elongated markers and lance-shaped hands, as well as the large tourbillon opening at 6 o’clock. What matters is that here it is made from a thin slice of the Gibeon meteorite. Protected by a coat of ruthenium, enhancing its natural grey glints and shielding the surface from oxidation, it offers a nicely textured effect while keeping things low profile. The movement of this watch is, on paper, the same as used before. This means an automatic calibre developed in-house and fitted with a silicon escapement wheel and anchor. Running at a beat of 4Hz, the movement displays a small seconds above the one-minute tourbillon. But most importantly, it’s the back that makes an impression in this edition, with a level of finishing unexpected in a Frédérique Constant Classic Tourbillon Meteorite Manufacture watch. Entirely decorated by hand, the main bridge features a texture reproducing the aspect of a meteorite – it is hand-chamfered, hammered and finished with charbonnage on the frame. Then, the edges are beaded and grained, and parts are decorated on both sides (even those that aren’t visible), the screws are black-polished, and the lower plate is hand-hammered. Finally, the rotor also features bevelling… a significant step change in the quality of the decoration at FC.