With its rectangular case, Frédérique Constant’s new Classic Carrée Automatic offers a vintage-inspired departure from the many classic round watches. Measuring 30.4mm X 33.3mm, the new watch, which debuted earlier this year, is available in rose gold plate or stainless steel, and as its name attests, it is powered by an automatic movement, the Sellita-based FC-310, with 38 hours of power reserve.
Each variation has a silver-colored dial with the emblematic Frédérique Constant heartbeat aperture at 12 o’clock designed to offer a view of the movement. The see-through caseback offers another view of the movement and its fine decoration. The guilloche dial has printed black Roman numerals and hand-polished Breguet-style hands.
The rose gold version comes on a brown leather strap, while the stainless steel watch is accompanied by black leather.
From sundials to pocket watches, timepieces are rooted in round shapes. But the early twentieth century changed all that as angular-shaped watches represented a welcome modernity. Coming full circle, these same forms, once signaling newness and cutting-edge design, are today revered as vintage inspired and will, like the Classic Carrée, remain an influential part of the history of watchmaking. Price: Rose Gold, $1,595; Stainless Steel, $1,295.
Specifications: Frédérique Constant Classic Carrée
Case: 30.4mm x 33.3mm rose-gold plated or polished stainless steel 2-part case
Convex sapphire crystal, see-through case back, water-resistant to 3 ATM
Movement: FC-310 caliber (Sellita-base), automatic movement, decoration on the movement
38-hour power reserve
Dial: Silver-colored, guilloché decoration and printed black Roman Numerals, opening at 12 o’clock, hand-polished black hands
Bracelet: Dark brown leather strap