The Flyback Chronograph Manufacture: two new stylish, sporty variations on one of the cult designs by Frederique Constant.
2017, 2018, 2020 – Now, for the third time, and in response to demand from collectors, Frederique Constant presents two new variations on its Flyback Chronograph Manufacture collection. This timepiece, destined for the discerning chronograph enthusiast, was developed, manufactured and assembled in its entirety in-house at the Geneva manufacture. The individuality and intricacy of the collection make it highly desirable among lovers of the chronograph.
A history rooted in the origins of the chronograph
The flyback was one of the first features to be added to the chronograph during the 1930s. A straightforward concept, it allows the chronograph to be stopped, reset and restarted with a single press of the push-piece, rather than three successive presses.
And yet this ingenious idea, which comes into its own when timing successive races at sporting events, is underpinned by a truly sophisticated mechanism. While the chronograph’s stop, reset and restart functions were originally controlled by pressing two push-pieces in sequence, in flyback mode, a single press of the push-piece engages all three operations simultaneously.
Six years in development, a brand new flyback design
The conventional flyback mechanism is based on a set of several column wheels that act as a system of clutches. The FC-760 caliber that operates the Flyback Chronograph Manufacture dispenses with this complexity, replacing the standard column wheel with a star-shaped wheel. This results in a thinner movement with fewer parts and operations. The FC-760 caliber from Frederique Constant is simpler, smoother and more reliable.
Pressing the pusher at 4 o’clock declutches the chronograph’s movement and resets it. Once the pusher is released, the movement and the chronograph re-engage and the chronograph restarts. No fewer than 6 years of development were required to attain this degree of sophistication. The FC-760 caliber, which can be admired through the new collection’s sapphire crystal, is also more aesthetically pleasing. The flyback module accounts for just 96 of the entire movement’s 233 parts, making it one of the most efficient flyback modules in the world, as well as one of the most affordable, thanks to its ingenious, patented construction. As a result, prices for the new Flyback Chronograph Manufacture start at 3,895 euros.
Two-color options, two new variations
These days, half of all chronographs are gold, a color that already features heavily in this collection. In response to demand from collectors, Frederique Constant can today unveil two new options, both featuring two-tone styling with silvered counters. In a first for this model, the counters and the face are different colors. This novel contrast improves legibility and gives the chronograph a sportier feel.
In the first version, the three counters are set against a chocolate-colored dial with a 42-mm rose-gold case. The second features a blue dial with a stainless-steel case. Contemporary and dynamic, these new Flyback Chronograph Manufactures have baton indices and luminous hands, as well as an alligator strap with deployment clasp stamped with the Frederique Constant logo.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS: Flyback Chronograph Manufacture FC-760CHC4H4
RRP 4’195€
Functions
Hours, minutes, seconds, flyback chronograph, the date by hand, tachymeter
Movement
FC-760 Manufacture caliber, automatic, flyback chronograph with date adjustable by the crown
Perlage & Circular Côtes de Genève decoration on the movement 32 jewels, 38-hour power reserve, 28’800 alt/h
Case
Rose gold plated polished and satin stainless steel 3-parts case
The diameter of 42 mm
Glass box sapphire crystal
See-through case-back
Water-resistant up to 5 ATM
Dial
Brown dial with applied rose gold plated indexes
Hand-polished rose gold plated hands
Strap
Dark brown alligator leather strap
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Flyback Chronograph Manufacture FC-760NS4H6
RRP 3’895€
Functions
Hours, minutes, seconds, flyback chronograph, the date by hand, tachymeter
Movement
FC-760 Manufacture caliber, automatic, flyback chronograph with date adjustable by the crown
Perlage & Circular Côtes de Genève decoration on the movement 32 jewels, 38-hour power reserve, 28’800 alt/h
Case
Polished and satin stainless steel 3-parts case
The diameter of 42 mm
Glass box sapphire crystal
See-through case-back
Water-resistant up to 5 ATM
Dial
Navy dial with applied silver indexes
Hand-polished silver hands
Strap
Blue alligator leather strap
Source: FREDERIQUE CONSTANT
good design