Did I discover my new guilty pleasure? - I am sure I did: the new Classics Manchette, a watch that usually would impress a feminine audience, has caught my eye. In a world where "massive" metal bracelets are worn by manly "masculine" men (yes, intended), I turn towards a more delicate approach, that also shows time. I fell in love at first sight, and two months later, after my first encounter, I still nurture the same feelings.
My New Guilty Pleasure: Frederique Constant Classics Manchette
The Frederique Constant Classics Manchette collection marks the return of a distinctive design that once defined the exuberance of the 1980s. Revived after a hiatus of over two decades, the Manchette re-emerges as a contemporary cuff watch, blending the essence of a bracelet with the functional precision of Swiss watchmaking. The collection consists of four distinct models, each offering a unique interpretation of the Clou de Paris motif, which permeates both the bracelet and the dial, and is available in a variety of materials and finishes.
Dials: Materiality and Aesthetic Execution
The dial selection in the Classics Manchette range demonstrates a considered approach to both material and visual impact. Two of the models feature dials crafted from natural minerals, aligning with the current resurgence in popularity for stone dials. The green malachite dial displays a marbled effect, with variegated shades traversing its surface, resulting in a dynamic interaction with light. The black onyx version, in contrast, presents an absorbing, deep black that accentuates the slender, hand-polished silver hands, offering a stark and legible display.
A third model adopts a more traditional horological aesthetic, featuring a matte white dial adorned with printed Roman numerals. This approach lends a classical air to the collection, while the hand-polished silver hands maintain consistency across the range. The final variant is distinguished by its dial set with 158 diamonds, totalling 0.23 carats. These stones are meticulously arranged to create a sparkling effect that echoes the Clou de Paris pattern found on the bracelet, further enhancing the visual coherence of the watch2.
Each dial is framed by the square contours of the case, with the Clou de Paris motif extending seamlessly from the bracelet onto the dial surface. This integration of texture and materiality underscores the collection’s design ethos, where the boundary between jewellery and timekeeping is intentionally blurred1.
The 2002 original ManchetteClassics Manchette with matte white dial adorned with printed Roman numeralsThe old and the new Manchette: in 2002, Frederique Constant launched the collection featuring Arabic numerals, optin for Roman numerals in the 2025 iteration
Movement: The FC-200 Quartz Calibre
At the heart of each Classics Manchette model is the FC-200 quartz calibre. This movement is engineered for reliability and longevity, offering a battery life of approximately 60 months, or five years. The calibre incorporates four jewels, a detail that contributes to the smooth operation of the hands and reduces wear over time. The FC-200 is a straightforward two-hand movement, displaying hours and minutes with no additional complications, in keeping with the collection’s focus on style and ease of use.
The choice of a quartz movement aligns with the practical requirements of a cuff-style watch, where slimness and lightness are paramount. The FC-200’s compact dimensions enable the case to maintain a height of just 6.45 mm, ensuring that the watch sits unobtrusively on the wrist.
Case: Construction, Lightness, and Comfort
The case of the Classics Manchette is constructed from polished stainless steel and consists of two parts. Measuring 25.70 by 20 mm, it presents a compact, rectangular profile that complements the bracelet’s design. The anti-reflective sapphire crystal ensures clarity and scratch resistance, while a water resistance rating of 3 ATM (30 metres) provides basic protection against splashes and brief immersion.
The engraved snap solid case back secures the movement and contributes to the watch’s overall structural integrity. The bracelet itself is composed of seven flexible links, each finished with a combination of brushed and polished surfaces that highlight the Clou de Paris pattern. This construction allows the bracelet to drape naturally around the wrist, enhancing both comfort and ease of wear. The integrated folding clasp remains concealed when fastened, maintaining the uninterrupted flow of the bracelet and ensuring the watch remains securely in place during daily activities or more energetic pursuits.
The lightness of the watch is a direct result of its slim case and the use of stainless steel, which provides durability without excessive weight. This, combined with the fluid movement of the bracelet links, results in a timepiece that can be worn for extended periods without discomfort.
Conclusion: A Statement of Accessible Luxury
The Frederique Constant Classics Manchette collection represents the brand’s ongoing commitment to delivering Swiss-made luxury with a focus on accessibility. By combining distinctive materials, a reliable quartz movement, and a thoughtfully engineered case and bracelet, the Manchette offers a compelling option for those seeking a watch that straddles the line between jewellery and horology. As a personal indulgence, the watch appeals to a sense of playful sophistication, inviting its wearer to embrace boldness when the occasion calls for it. The Classics Manchette stands as a mark to Frederique Constant’s enduring philosophy of making refined timepieces available to a wider audience, while maintaining the hallmarks of Swiss craftsmanship.
And in case you are still asking – Yes, I would wear it! Just the proper occasion, and I am there… To show that beauty can be enjoyed regardless of a certain intended audience. It is beautiful, it is well manufactured, sits well on the wrist and why not? I love, at most, the diamond version. Call it a guilty pleasure, the ephemeral madness of a guy who likes watches, maybe a bit too much. It is a watch that I would steal from my wife from time to time. I could immensely enjoy wearing this watch at a black tie attire where other gentlemen wear proudly sports watches…
FC-200PVD1MC6B Dial set with 158 diamonds (0.23 carat) Hand-polished silver colour hour and minute hands FC-200MA1MC6B Green Malachite stone dial Hand-polished silver colour hour and minute hands FC-200ONB1MC6B Black Onyx stone dial
Hand-polished silver colour hour and minute hands
Strap
Brushed and polished 7-link Clous-de-Paris stainless steel bracelet
Folding buckle
ABOUT FREDERIQUE CONSTANT
LIVE YOUR PASSION!
Founded in 1988, Frederique Constant is a Swiss watchmaking manufacture based in Geneva. Having celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2023, the brand continues to showcase its ever-advancing watchmaking expertise as it pursues its aim: providing Swiss Made luxury watches at fair prices. Through the decades, Frederique Constant has been characterised by creativity and inventiveness – and even more so by mechanical ingenuity and pragmatism.
Born out of the shared passion of an independent entrepreneurial couple, Aletta and Peter Stas, Frederique Constant has written its own rules, blazing a trail into territory where none had dared venture before. Today the brand can proudly offer a range of quartz and mechanical models – and most importantly, a collection of 33 calibres designed, developed and assembled in its own Manufacture at Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva. These movements include Tourbillon, Perpetual Calendar, Flyback Chronograph, Worldtimer, Power Reserve and Big Date complications as well as the Monolithic escapement, made out of a single piece of silicon and beating at a rate of 40Hz.
Frederique Constant presently has close to 3,000 points of sale in 120 countries. To pursue its international expansion and develop new synergies, since 2016 the Frederique Constant Group (Frederique Constant, Alpina Watches, Ateliers deMonaco) has been part of the Japanese group Citizen.
