The
success of Only Watch 05, for which the historical sum of € 1’907’000
was collected, has allowed to support a considerable number of
researchers involved in the struggle to find a cure.
Potential
buyers and watch aficionados alike will be able to admire the 35
timepieces on offer (all either unique pieces or No.1 of a limited
edition) during a travelling exhibition which will take the full
collection to Tokyo, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Geneva, and Monaco.
For “Only Watch 07”, Frédérique Constant is pleased and honoured to present a totally unique and revolutionary wristwatch, featuring a Zerodur® Balance Wheel and a Silicium Escapement Wheel.
In line with watch industry developments, Frédérique Constant has been
researching the application of new high-tech materials for its
manufacture calibres:
Zerodur® is a glass ceramic with
an extremely low thermal expansion coefficient and an outstandingly
homogenous material structure. Because of its unique properties,
Zerodur® is a preferred high-tech material for components used in
astronomy and satellite technology such as mirror substrates of
earthbound and orbital telescopes. Frédérique Constant has adopted the
use of Zerodur® to conceive a balance wheel that is totally
non-magnetic and insensitive to temperature changes. The use of a
Zerodur® balance wheel will improve the accuracy and performance of the
movement. An additional advantage of Zerodur® is its transparency: a
balance wheel made of Zerodur® ensures an optimal visibility of the
moving parts of the Frédérique Constant Heart Beat Manufacture
movement. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that
Zerodur® technology is being used in watch manufacturing.
Silicium
is the chemical element in the periodic table with symbol Si. Silicium,
a mineral-based material, is extremely light, has a good elasticity, is
anti-magnetic and has a very low friction coefficient. In its
crystalline form, silicium has a dark grey colour and a metallic
lustre. Silicium has been used for many years in other industries - and
is the principal component of most semiconductor devices. The accuracy
of a mechanical movement depends on the accuracy of its regulating
organ, i.e. the balance with its spring. The purpose of the escapement
is to maintain the oscillations of the balance, and a crucial element
in escapement design is to give just enough energy to the balance wheel
in order to keep it swinging, yet to interfere with its oscillations as
little as possible. As the lubrication of escapement ages, friction
will increase, and less power will be transferred to the balance wheel.
Apart from the increased energy efficiency due to its lower weight and
inertia, the biggest advantage of the silicium escapement wheel is that
it needs no oiling, increasing the movement’s precision and longevity.
FREDERIQUE CONSTANT GENEVE, 18K ROSE GOLD
“HEART BEAT MANUFACTURE AUTOMATIC”
WITH ZERODUR® BALANCE WHEEL AND SILICIUM ESCAPEMENT WHEEL
FC-935SZABS4H9, “PIECE UNIQUE”, SPECIALLY CREATED FOR
ONLY WATCH 07
Case :
Two-piece, 18K rose gold, water-resistant to 3 ATM,
convex sapphire crystal, sapphire crystal case back,
case back engraved “Pièce Unique - Only Watch 2007”
diameter: 41 mm, thickness: 13 mm
Alligator strap, 18K rose gold buckle.
Dial :
Black and silver dial, engine-turned Frédérique Constant crest in
dial centre, rose gold Arabic numerals and applied baton hour markers,
circular moon phase and date indicator at twelve o’clock,
large “Heart Beat” aperture at six o’clock to reveal the balance,
“poire” type hour hand, “feuille” type minute and date hands.
Movement :
FC-935-1 Heart Beat Manufacture Calibre, Automatic,
hours, minutes, moon phase and date,
142 components, 30,50 mm diameter, total thickness 5.25 mm,
48 hour power reserve, automatic winding, rhodium-plated,
chamfered bridges decorated with “Côtes de Genève” and
circular graining (“perlage”), blued steel screws, 27 jewels,
Zerodur® balance, Silicium escapement wheel, 28,800 vph,
Nivarox No.1 balance spring, Kif shock-absorber and fine regulation. |
