One of the more pleasant surprises at Watches & Wonders 2023 came from Frederique Constant who celebrated its 35th anniversary with the release of a very special limited edition Classic Tourbillon Manufacture. A refresh of the FC-980 from 2008, this new and contemporary take shows the brand playing at a much higher level than you are used to seeing. And while it?s also priced substantially more than we are used to seeing from Frederique Constant, it?s hard not to fall for the effortlessly good looks and really quite impressive watchmaking on hand here. Saying this latter point with the knowledge that this is essentially a fifteen year old movement only serves to underscore the point.

The Classic Tourbillon Manufacture is housed in a warm 18k rose gold case that is matched with a sun-ray brushed anthracite grey dial. The lancet hands and applied indexes keep things simple because the obvious star of the show here is the substantial aperture containing the exquisitely finished tourbillon. With a seconds hand gliding over it, the 81-component tourbillon cage has the individual serial number of each watch engraved on it as well as a view of several blued screws, the silicon escapement, and that eye-catching curved bridge (a standout feature, in my opinion). As the brand typically does with their ?heart beat opening? apertures, it is framed in a rose gold ring that perfectly matches the demure, clean, and very attractive dial design. My only real critique here wou...