Two New Versions of Frederique Constant’s Flyback Chronograph Give the Watch a Sporty Feel

Frederique Constant has introduced two new versions of their in-house Flyback Chronograph. This is a brand that has carved out a niche for itself producing complications in-house at a reasonable price. Their versatility is striking, with everything from a sub $10,000 perpetual calendar to affordable regatta timers in their catalog. Previous versions of the brand’s flyback chrono have been dressy affairs, often with Roman numeral dials and very traditional old-world styling. These new pieces that have just been announced are subtly tweaked with contrasting elements to give them a slightly sportier look, befitting of the complication itself.

Frederique Constant Flyback Chronograph Manufacture 

• Case Material: Stainless steel 
• Dial: Brown, blue
• Dimensions: 42mm
• Crystal: Sapphire     
• Water Resistance: 5 ATM 
• Crown: Push/pull           
• Movement: FC-760
• Strap/bracelet: Alligator leather 
• Price: Approximately ~$4,250
• Reference Number: FC-760CHC4H4, FC-760NS4H6
• Expected Release: March

The FC-760 caliber used in Frederique Constant’s Flyback Chronograph Manufacture collection is the product of six years of research and development. The flyback chronograph is traditionally one of the most difficult complications to produce in all of horology, as it involves the use of several individual column wheels acting as a series of clutches in the mechanism. Frederique Constant’s solution was to develop a star-shaped wheel that can be used in place of a standard column wheel. The result is a movement that’s considerably thinner than it would be using the standard method, with fewer parts used in total. This, according to Frederique Constant, translates to smoother and more reliable operation, and should lead to easier servicing down the road. Frederique Constant claims that with just 96 of the caliber’s 233 parts dedicated to the flyback module, the FC-760 is one of the most efficient flyback chronograph movements in the world. 

The two new additions to the Flyback Chronograph Manufacture collection bring two tone styling to this watch for the first time. One version features a chocolate brown dial with silver subdials, and is cased in rose-gold treatment. The other version, in stainless steel, uses the same silver subdials against a blue dial. These contrasting elements (which include an outer tachymeter scale in the same tone as the chrono registers) give the watch just a small hint of sportiness, but a much larger dose of overall refinement and elegance, which is really the house style of Frederique Constant. These watches aren’t necessarily made for the track, but have been elevated just slightly, while sparing nothing in terms of mechanics. 

Both watches feature a mix of polished and satin finished elements on a case sized at 42mm in diameter. The sapphire crystal is box shaped for a vintage effect, and a transparent case back allows for viewing of the in-house movement, which includes a skeletonized rotor, which is a nice touch that allows for easier admiration of the perlage and circular Cotes de Geneve decoration. 

These new versions of the Flyback Chronograph Manufacture will retail for the approximate US dollar equivalent of $4,250, and will be available in March. Frederique Constant