Frederique Constant - Slimline Monolithic Manufacture 40Hz

The Frederique Constant Slimline Monolithic Manufacture 40Hz is available in 3 editions: FC-810MCN3S6, FC-810MC3S6 and FC-810MC3S9. Price and specs

With the new Slimline Monolithic Manufacture, Frederique Constant is introducing an innovative silicon oscillator beating at the impressive pace of 288,000 vibrations per hour, or 40 Hz - ten times faster than most mechanical movements.

The development of this solution started 3 years ago following the encounter between Peter Stas, co-founder and former CEO of Frederique Constant, and Dr Nima Tolou, founder and CEO of Flexous, an independent innovative horology-oriented technology branch of YES!Delft specialising in compliant or flexible mechanisms. 

The goal was the production of a new flexible oscillating system with a size comparable to that of a traditional balance, the highest possible frequency, an autonomy of at least 80 hours and, not a minor thing, reasonably priced.

With the Slimline Monolithic Manufacture, Frederique Constant replaces the 26 components of a standard assortment with a single component fitted with two regulation weights, thus dramatically reducing friction and wear on the parts. Thanks to a new geometry of flexures and masses, the new oscillator (9.8 mm diameter x 0.3 mm thickness) matches the size of a conventional regulator. 

The adjustment weights can be used to regulate the flexure oscillator allowing watchmakers to fine-tune the frequency, just like it happens with traditional regulators.

Thanks to the reduction of friction between components, the system needs less power for improved autonomy. Moreover, since silicon does not require lubrication, long-term reliability is also enhanced.

The new oscillating system required the production of a new base movement - the self-winding calibre FC-810 - because a traditional gear train could not deal with the impressive speed of a 40 Hz regulator.

The first model to integrate the new solution is a three-hand timepiece with pointer date presented in three variations, two in steel and one on red gold, all of them housed in a 40 mm round case with dials featuring a guilloché hobnail pattern, printed Roman numerals, Breguet-style hands and an aperture at 6 o'clock revealing the oscillator.

The transparent sapphire crystal showcases other details of the movement including the open-worked oscillating weight.

The new Frederique Constant Slimline Monolithic Manufacture 40Hz is available in three limited editions: 810 pieces in stainless steel with blue dial (ref. FC-810MCN3S6) and 810 pieces in stainless steel with silver-coloured dial (ref. FC-810MC3S6), both retailing at Euro 4,495, and 81 pieces in 18k pink gold (ref. FC-810MC3S9) with a price of Euro 14,995. frederiqueconstant.com