Frederique Constant Makes Our Hearts Skip a Beat With Its Classics Carree Heart Beat Automatic Timepiece

If you want an affordable timepiece that echoes the classic dress watch aesthetics of the past, then it is to Frederique Constant that you will need to turn your attention. Simple yet beautifully executed at the price point, a Frederique Constant is for many a bargain alternative to Breguet, Vacheron Constantin, or even a Patek Philippe.

As a new kid in town offering a similar look to the likes of Patek and Breguet at a tenth of the price, we expect and await Frederique Constant’s classical-styled releases to offer a bigger bang for the buck. Once again, the watchmakers at Frederique Constant didn’t disappoint as they upgraded their Classics line with an open-heart iteration of the Carree Automatic, the Carree Heart Beat Automatic.

An Art Deco Wonder Brimming with Classic Elegance

The non-rounded aesthetic of the stainless-steel cases for the Carree Heart Beat Automatic is available in steel and rose gold color choices. The 30.40mm across 33.30 mm cases offer enough heft to add significant substance to the wrist. Crafted from stainless steel, the cases feature high-gloss polishing all across. The case however is water resistant to a mere 30 meters, almost bearable for dress watch standards. An onion-styled crown completes the Art Deco look.

By reviving this classical shape, Frederique Constant cements is reputed as a classic watchmaking Maison.

A Visible Mechanical Animation

Within the 9.71 mm thick case of the Classics Carree Heart Beat Automatic lies a true hallmark of mechanical artistry. The dial cutaway at twelve o’clock reveals the 28,800 vph beating escapement of the FC-311 movement which is a modified Sellita SW200 caliber. The Frederique Constant Classics Carree Heart Beat Automatic can be excused for offering just 38 hours of power reserve considering the price point.

Although Frederique Constant makes do with a perfectly capable Selitta caliber, it is however constrained by its layout and deprived of any decorative finishing, although the winding rotor gets a contrast treatment of a rose gold-colored coating.

A True Frederique Constant Watch

The dials for the Frederique Constant Classics Carree Heart Beat Automatic available in stainless steel and rose gold hues showcase embossed and sunray finishing techniques. Polished applied indexes and dauphine-style hands add to the classical timepiece elegance.

The timepieces are paired with crocodile pattern stamped calf leather straps with case color-matched pin buckles.

Technical Specifications

Highlights
Functions: Hours, Minutes
Type of movement: Automatic

Movement
Reference: FC-311 (Base SW200)
Type of movement: Automatic
Power reserve (hours): 38h
Vibrations per hour: 28'800 alt/h
Jewels: 26

Case
Material: Stainless steel
Color: Stainless steel, rose gold
Diameter or dimensions (mm): 30.40×33.30
Thickness (mm): 9.71
Lug width (mm): 22
Water-resistance (ATM): 3

Dial
Color: Silver and blue colors
Finishing: Embossed & sunray
Indexes: Applied

Strap
Material: Calf leather with a crocodile pattern
Color: Black, brown, and blue
Dimensions (mm): 80×120
Buckle: Pin Buckle
Buckle width: 18
Strap width (lug width): 22