FREDERIQUE CONSTANT FC-200 Slimline Swiss Watches Instruction Manual

FREDERIQUE CONSTANT FC-200 Slimline Swiss Watches

Specifications:

• Models: FC-200, FC-202, FC-203, FC-235, FC-205, FC-208, and more
• Manufacture: In-house development and production
• Values: Design, quality, and innovation

Product Information

Philosophy & Brand Values:

Frederique Constant aims to make luxury watches accessible to a wider audience by offering Swiss high-quality classical watches at sensible prices. The brand focuses on design, quality, and innovation in the development of each model.

Manufacture History:

In 2004, Frederique Constant started producing its own in-house calibres, becoming a Manufacture. The brand continues to invest in production equipment and highly qualified watchmakers to control all stages of watch production.

From Sketches to Production:

From design and conception to assembly and quality control, Frederique Constant watches are meticulously crafted by hand. The brand’s attention to detail extends to watch straps designed for comfort and buckles elegantly decorated with the Frederique Constant crest.

Product Usage Instructions

Assembly Workshop (T2):

The assembly workshop is dedicated to encasing the watch. Watchmakers handle the movement, case, dial, and hands with care. Each watch is assembled by hand in a clean environment to ensure smooth functioning.

Quality Control Workshop (T3):

The quality control workshop ensures that each watch meets Frederique Constant’s high standards. Every detail is meticulously inspected to guarantee the quality of the final product.

FAQ

• Q: Are Frederique Constant watches waterproof?
  • A: Frederique Constant watches are water-resistant, but it is recommended to avoid submerging them in water to maintain their longevity.
• Q: How often should I service my Frederique Constant watch?
  • A: It is recommended to have your Frederique Constant watch serviced every 3-5 years by an authorized service center to ensure optimal performance.

PHILOSOPHY & BRAND VALUES

Born in 1988 from the passion that Aletta and Peter Stas share for refined watches, Frederique Constant does not only offer Swiss luxury timepieces but also makes them accessible to watch lovers and connoisseurs alike. Since the early 18th Century, Geneva has been known as a major centre for the creation and production of fine timepieces. Over the past 300 years, the city’s watchmakers have risen to unparalleled heights in the Art of Horology. Frederique Constant’s watchmakers are Maison’s most important assets, as each of its watches is individually assembled by hand. Most of the world’s famous watch manufacturers are based in Geneva. The concentration of so many rare skills on the same location, along with the presence of the best suppliers and the exchange of information allow brands such as Frederique Constant to remain at the forefront of precision watchmaking

LET MORE PEOPLE ENJOY LUXURY

Our aim is not to restrict the interest in Frederique Constant watches to a limited and elitist circle of connoisseurs, but rather to a broader selection of appreciative enthusiasts who want to enjoy high-quality classical watches at sensible prices. Frederique Constant’s mission is therefore to apply the following values to the development process of each model: design, quality and innovation

MANUFACTURE HISTORY

IN 2004

Frederique Constant entered the elite circle of Swiss watchmaking brands to develop and produce their own in-house calibres. Consequently, Frederique Constant became a “Manufacture”: in-house developed, in-house produced, in- house assembled.

IN 2006

In 2006, the Brand first felt the need to enlarge its production facilities and strategically decided to move into a 3200 m2 building in Plan-les-Ouates. After eleven years, Frederique Constant ran out of space due to its rapid growth and high demand from its worldwide markets. Two years were then needed to achieve the construction of an additional 3000 m2 space, bringing the Frederique Constant Group’s headquarters up to 6200 m2, thus enabling to completely re-organise the implementation of the different working areas. On the ground floor, the visitors will find an exclusive dedicated space where they will have the chance to take on a Manufacture Experience tour, allowing them to discover each Brand’s universe and history (Frederique Constant, Alpina Watches, Ateliers deMonaco). On the first floor, all production workshops from T1 to T4 have been regrouped, thus optimizing watchmaking workflow and logistics. Offices including Top Management, Finance, Human Resources, Marketing, Sales and Administration departments have been spread on the second floor.

TODAY

Frederique Constant has gradually become an important player within the watchmaking industry. With the ambition to offer the best quality at the most appropriate prices, the Maison hasn’t stopped investing in production equipment. Besides surrounding ourselves with highly qualified watchmakers, we have developed all our departments to be able to control the various stages of the production of our watches, from initial conception to the final quality control, including assembly.

FROM SKETCHES TO PRODUCTION

DESIGN AND CONCEPTION

When creating a new Manufacture timepiece, the designer and engineer work hand in hand to start a meticulous building process. While the designer is in charge of shaping the exterior of the watch, the engineer gives birth to the Movement, which will bring this silhouette alive. Component by component, layer by layer, each piece of the watch is carefully studied. Once the concept is validated thanks to 3D design modelling tools, the prototyping phase starts. A watch prototype allows our teams to evaluate its relevance in terms of function, technicity and design, once it is worn.

T0 WORKSHOP – MACHINING

The manufacturing process of a watch starts in the so-called T0 workshop. It is where our engineers produce the brass plates for the Manufacture collection, constituting the first element of the Movement. Using CNC machines, the latter are programmed to shape the plates – and also the bridges – according to the designs of the R&D team. After milling, the plates are cleaned up and the rough edges are removed, using polishing tools. A meticulous work, it reflects Frederique Constant’s luxury standards. The plates are then sent to a finishing unit which applies rhodium plating, before ending up in the T1 workshop for assembly.

DECORATION

It is not to mention that each visible component of our manufactured timepieces is beautifully decorated. The aim being that every time one gazes at a Frederique Constant Manufacture watch, one is bound to feel joy. Detailed engravings, circular Côtes de Genève pattern and perlage enhance the Movement’s part.

THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS

T1 WORKSHOP – MOVEMENTS

Commonly called T1 internally at Frederique Constant, this manufacturer’s workshop is highly technical, as it is dedicated to the production of our in- house movements. Our watchmakers and Master watchmakers undertake long and fastidious work, for which patience, experience and know-how is required. They handle delicate and fragile components and have to be very precise with every gesture. Some Frederique Constant movements are made up of more than a hundred components. They assemble, adjust and control all our mechanical movements to make sure everything functions properly. Mainly all assembly operations and settings are made by hand, to ensure our watches are provided with the highest quality: jewelling, oiling, and balancing the pendulum, just to name a few.

T2 WORKSHOP – ASSEMBLY

The assembly workshop at Frederique Constant, or T2, is dedicated to all the operations necessary for the encasing of the watch. Our watchmakers carefully handle all the different parts that constitute the watch: the Movement, the case, the dial and the hands. Every Frederique Constant watch is assembled by hand. The cleanliness of this workshop is extremely important, in order to prevent any foreign matter from penetrating into the movements and constricting the smooth functioning of our watches.

T3 WORKSHOP – QUALITY CONTROL

All Frederique Constant timepieces – equipped with quartz as well as mechanical movements – are submitted to a very extensive series of tests. Each watch will be tested to ensure optimum performance, a further step in which our control lers re-test all the functions of the watch: jump the date, time settings, winding (if the watch is mechanical) and so on. Mechanical watches with automatic winding system undergo another series of tests that will differ depending on the complexity of the Movement: rate and amplitude tests, and the power reserve’s resistance. But if one of these tests does not meet our quality standards, the watch will return to the production cycle until it reaches a perfect accuracy

A CAREFUL ATTENTION

AFTER-SALES SERVICES

All Frederique Constant timepieces are guaranteed for two years, parts and labor, for normal use of the watch. The Frederique Constant movements, either quartz or mechanical, need to be revised more or less regularly, according to their complexity. Therefore, they return to our After-Sales Service workshop and pass through the hands of our highly skilled watchmakers, who will verify that they operate correctly, and wil also check the mechanics of the Movement. Only the Tourbillon Manufacture Silicium does not go through this department. In fact, it comes back to the hands of the watchmaker who assembled, adjusted and encased it, within the manufacturer’s dedicated workshop. At Frederique Constant, it is essential that our watchmakers take care of an exceptional timepiece throughout its life. Once again, the watch will undergo all the quality control tests before being returned to its owner.

A PASSION FOR DETAILS

Right from the conception of a new model, we take the utmost care in the smallest details and parts which constitute a watch, to guarantee a complete satisfaction, in regards to both the design as well as the comfort on the wrist. Hand-polished cases, refined and decorated dials featuring various guilloché patterns in the centre and hand-applied indexes are some of the details we pay attention to for our clients’ pleasure. We, at Frederique Constant, have a passion for creating beautiful, high-quality watches with impeccable finish. Ever y detail of each timepiece, whether technical or aesthetic, is equally important. Our movements are also treated with just as much care and attention. Decorations such as Côtes de Genève or perlage – which are executed in the most meticulous way – can be admired through the sapphire case back, thus adorning the main plate, the bridges or the oscillating weight. Most of the Movement‘s components are, carefully angled in order to break and polish their bevelled edges, for an even more refined aesthetic. The watch straps, whether in leather or in metal, are systematically designed for comfort while being worn. Finally, our buckles are elegantly decorated with the Frederique Constant crest.

Guarantee

We thank you for your choice. This product has been manufactured with the precision and knowledge of the high technology of watch-making. Your Frederique Constant watch is guaranteed for a 24 month period against any manufacturing defect under the following conditions: any part found by our technical service to be defective as a result of a manufacturing fault, will be replaced free of charge by Frederique Constant. The International guarantee does not cover: damage resulting from accidents, mishandling or abusive use (knocks, dents, crushing, etc.), the use of batteries other than those prescribed by Frederique Constant, unauthorized alteration, manipulation or repair as well as the consequences of normal wear and ageing of the watch.

Automatic Watches

A number of Frederique Constant waches feature high-quality selfwinding mechanical movements. The rotor inside an automatic watch converts your forearm’s every motion into energy that winds the mainspring. When fully wound, it provides the watch with a power reserve of about 38 hours. Provided it is worn regularly and actively, the watch should never require manual winding. Should it remain off the wrist for some days, the movement can be wound manually. Wind the movement by turning the crown clockwise at approximately 15 full rotations. If a screw crown, unscrew the crown by turning the crown counterclockwise. To lock a screw crown, push the crown into the case and turn clockwise until it is tightly screwed in place

Maintenance of Automatic Watches

The balance wheel in an automatic Frederique Constant watch swings 28,800 times an hour and the gear train moves forward 691,200 times in 24 hours. In four years, this represents over one billion impulses. We advise you to bring your watch every 3-4 years to an official Frederique Constant Retailer where a trained watchmaker will meticulously inspect it before cleaning and lubricating the movement thoroughly. You may check the Retailer Locator at

www.frederiqueconstant.com for a service center near you or contact the Distributor in your country (addresses and contact information on later pages in this booklet).

Water-resistance

Your watch is water-resistant only when the crown is fully pushed against the case. If \a screw crown, it must be tightly screwed into the case. Your watch is not water-resistant if the crown is in the winding or timesetting positions. Pushers should also not be operated while the watch is wet or in water. Your watch-rated water resistance was determined and checked when your watch was manufactured at our Atelier. It does not imply a lifetime guarantee against water entering into the watch. Normal day-to-day handling, the ageing process affecting its water-resistance gaskets and temperature extremes (immersing the watch in cold water after an extended period in the hot sun) are enough to compromise the technical integrity of any watch case. Water or moisture can consequently result in costly repair work. It is therefore advisable that you bring your watch for a water-resistance check every 2-3 years.

Operating Instructions

1. Change of time

FREDERIQUE CONSTANT NEWSLETTER

Stay informed of the latest Frederique Constant news with our Newsletter. Subscribe for free on frederiqueconstant.com/en/news/newsletter FREDERIQUE CONSTANT FACEBOOK PAGE Join us and become a fan on

• www.facebook.com/Watches.Frederique.Constant

Additional Information

Please do not forget to check Frederique Constant on the Internet for the latest listing of World Wide Distributors, Retailers and Service Centers. The latest information is updated regularly on the website.

• frederiqueconstant.com

In compliance with EU Directive 2002/96/CE, any parts of quartz watches should be disposed of at a DEEE/WEEE registered recycling organization. Please contact your Frederique Constant distributor.

Frederique Constant S.A.

Chemin du Champ des Filles 32 – 1228 Plan-les-Ouates, Genève

• Tel. + 41 (0)22 860 04 40
• Fax. + 41 (0)22 860 04 64
• frederiqueconstant.com

References

• Frederique Constant Official Website - Live your Passion
• Frederique Constant Official Website - Live your Passion

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