Watches And Wonders 2025: Frederique Constant Just Made the Perpetual Calendar Everyone Wants—And Can Actually Afford!

Perpetual calendars have always been the ultimate flex—a mechanical masterpiece that tells the time, date, month, leap year, and even tracks the moon phases, all without needing a reset until 2100. But let’s be honest: unless your last name is Patek or Lange, you’ve probably had to admire them from afar.

But at Watches And Wonders 2025, Frederique Constant is proving once again that high complications don’t need to come with sky-high prices. The new Classic Perpetual Calendar Manufacture isn’t just a watch; it’s a statement—a testament to how a true manufacture can blend innovation, craftsmanship, and accessibility into one stunning timepiece. And this time, it comes with a new in-house movement, an upgraded three-day power reserve, and a salmon dial so good it might just break Instagram.

The Perpetual Calendar That Won’t Break the Bank (or Your Brain)
Let’s face it—most perpetual calendars require a PhD in horology to set and maintain. Not this one. Frederique Constant has built its reputation on delivering user-friendly complications, and the FC-776 calibre powering this beauty is no exception.

Here’s what makes it special:

A New Heart: The FC-776 automatic movement is the 34th in-house calibre developed by the brand, now with a 72-hour power reserve—a major step up from its predecessor​.

Uncompromising Precision: The 4 Hz frequency (28,800 vibrations per hour) ensures high accuracy, while the finely tuned perpetual calendar mechanism flawlessly tracks the shifting lengths of months, even accounting for leap years.
Foolproof Functionality: Adjustments are minimal, and thanks to the intuitive layout, reading the information is a breeze.

A Design That Screams ‘Old Money’ Without the Old Money Price Tag
What’s the first thing that hits you when you see this watch? That dial.

Salmon dials have become the ultimate collector’s flex, seen in auction-breaking Patek Philippes and rare Vacheron Constantins. Frederique Constant brings that same vintage-inspired elegance to a watch you can actually get your hands on.

The 40mm stainless steel case is a masterclass in subtle refinement:

-Slimmer lugs and softened case lines make it wear like a classic dress watch.
-Hand-polished Dauphine hands add a touch of mid-century charm.
-The sector dial layout (inspired by vintage Swiss timepieces) keeps things clean, legible, and effortlessly sophisticated.

Functionality meets aesthetics in perfect balance:

12 o’clock: Month and leap year counter
9 o’clock: Day of the week
3 o’clock: Date
6 o’clock: Moon phase—because who doesn’t love a little celestial poetry on their wrist?

And let’s talk details—those slightly recessed subdials? That sunburst effect on the dial? It’s the kind of understated luxury that whispers rather than shouts.

Why This Watch Changes the Game (Again)
Frederique Constant has been quietly rewriting the rules of Swiss watchmaking since 1988. When they launched their first perpetual calendar in 2016, it was the most affordable on the market. Now, they’ve upped the ante without inflating the price.

Here’s why this launch is a big deal:

-Perpetual calendars are having a moment. With more brands focusing on practical complications, this is the perfect time to own one.
-It’s proof that in-house watchmaking doesn’t need to cost six figures.
-Classic, but not stuck in the past. Vintage-inspired but modern in execution, this watch bridges tradition and contemporary style.

Frederique Constant has once again delivered a watch that feels like it should cost five times its actual price. It’s a perpetual calendar that doesn’t just belong in a collector’s safe—it belongs on the wrist.

At Watches And Wonders 2025, where million-dollar tourbillons and ultra-rare grand complications fight for attention, this might just be the most talked-about watch for collectors who actually wear their timepieces.