Frederique Constant’s Manchette Makes A Comeback After 20 Years In An Edgy Avatar
2 min read
If you’ve ever felt like watchmaking gets stuck in a loop of the familiar, Frederique Constant is here to shake things up. With flair, no less. The Geneva-based brand has resurrected a style statement from its archives: the Manchette. Last seen over two decades ago, this bold cuff watch makes a triumphant return now reimagined as the Classics Manchette, fusing retro charm with a glam-rock edge that’s anything but shy.
At first glance, it’s all about attitude. Think: a sculptural bracelet with a flowing, articulated design and an integrated (and invisible) deployant clasp that keeps it locked in place, whether you're on the dance floor or just dressing to impress. The squared-off Clou de Paris guilloché pattern defines both the dial and the bracelet, lending texture and sparkle in equal measure. Every link is brushed at the top, giving a subtle contrast to the polished surfaces. And in a nod to maximalist style, the dial is elegantly minimal just two hands, gliding over a square canvas, no indices in sight.
Frederique Constant offers the Classics Manchette in four distinct flavours each dial version tapping into a different mood. Two of them embrace the resurgence of mineral dials: one with lush, striated green malachite, the other in deep black onyx that swallows light and gives the polished hands a floating effect. The other two veer into contrasting monochrome territory. One version goes all out with 158 diamonds lining the bracelet, adding high-wattage sparkle that matches the rebellious glam-rock DNA. The other keeps things understated with a matte silver dial punctuated by Roman numerals—a subtle wink to classic watchmaking within an otherwise fashion-forward form.
Inside beats the FC-200 quartz movement, ensuring five years of battery-powered precision. No winding, no worries just years of bold style, ready to slip on and stand out. Frederique Constant has never been one to shy away from elegance, but the Classics Manchette proves that elegance doesn’t always have to play by the rules. This is vintage spirit with modern sass, and just the right amount of sparkle to turn heads.
Price: CHF 1,895
CHF 4,295 (Gem Set Variant)
