IN-DEPTH - The Frederique Constant Slimline Monolithic Manufacture, with Groundbreaking Oscillator

​‪@frederiqueconstant‬ #FrederiqueConstant #FrederiqueConstantMonolithic #MonochromeWatches
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WORLD PREMIERE - The word innovation is too often used and abused in the watch industry, sadly becoming void of meaning. But the development Frederique Constant is unveiling today is an authentic horological breakthrough. A feat of engineering, the Slimline Monolithic Manufacture is regulated by a revolutionary flexure pivot oscillator beating at an impressive frequency of 40Hz, using the principle of compliant mechanisms. MONOCHROME today goes in-depth with this revolutionary concept, as we speak with Niels Eggerding, Managing Director of Frederique Constant, Dr Nima Tolou, Founder and CEO of Flexous, and Pim Koeslag, Technical Director and Master Watchmaker at Frederique Constant. And yes, you'll find all the technical details and images to understand precisely why the Frederique Constant Monolithic Oscillator is such a strong innovation, and how it exactly works.
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2021, all rights reserved to MONOCHROME
More details at frederiquecons... and monochrome-wat... for the complete review article.

[@markvalentine9119]

Smooth as spring drive and fully mechanical. This is a revolution.

[@alessandrobottero6544]

Well, yes, you could say so, but a revolution that Zenith has initiated a few years ago, not Frederique Costant.

[@Monochrome-watches]

That is indeed where it started but the similarites end with both being compliant mechanisms and made of silicium. The requirements, calculations and construction is entirely new. FC and Flexous have incorporated the anchor and escape wheel in the oscillator for the first time ever. And given its small size and weight, it doesn't need any additional schock resistance.

[@alessandrobottero6544]

@@Monochrome-watches exactly. As you said, The Zenith Defy Inventor is where it started. A mention of that would have just been fair. 😉

[@Zanpaa]

@@alessandrobottero6544 Zenith also didn't manage to bring their watch to market, it was effectively a paper launch. Let's hope FC can manage to do it on a larger scale.

[@alirezajaleh8380]

please describe zenith revolution and show its movie in KZbin

[@Jaywed]

Dammmmmm, that's smooth. How is this not being talked about more?

[@m-racer5096]

Wow, this is a whole new level of design. Having this part not only being from one piece, but also outperform a conventional oscillator on all other specs and still being tunable. Fascinating!

[@Errornamenotfound-ww7xb]

Wow that is some revolutionary stuff! Very impressed!

[@javierdiazsantana]

Amazing! Congratulations Frederique Constant! A breakthrough in watchmaking!

[@youcefbayou5293]

This is a revolution in watchmaking . The fluid movement remember us the spring drive of Seiko ... But totally mechanical .. this is brilliant

[@davidc5191]

Brilliant, agreed. But service may be an issue. I bought a Spring Drive for its technology, but would have to service it at a GS service center, I believe in New Jersey. Likewise for this FC watch. I won't be servicing at my local jeweler. Probably have to ship it off to Switzerland for service.

[@GadgetyMV]

@@davidc5191 True, but this doesn't need lubrication, and is only 3 atm, so what kind of service were you thinking of?

[@GadgetyMV]

@Jl Jad Yes, somewhat of lost opportunity. This is COSC equivalent, -4 to +6 and would pass METAS antimagnetic with flying colors.

[@Theultimateclimber]

Is it me, or is this a game changer? The sweep is smooth. I could see this being compared with Seiko’s Spring Drive movement

[@Monochrome-watches]

It's not just you, this is a huge step forward indeed.

[@baba98052]

Great to see in-house movements. The FC 40hz is amazing.

[@victorutomo7244]

This is BIG. This is a revolution. I believe this is a big step in horology after Spring Drive. Great job FC.

[@mikhailkan2726]

one of the best production on watch videos, congrats!

[@Monochrome-watches]

Thank you very much!

[@WATCHANGELS]

Big leap, great value. Frederique Constant proves again that it’s an “enfant terrible” in the industry making innovation affordable and thus usefull.

[@chilieu]

A revolution indeed. Imagine what would happen if this new invention came from a fancy brand name - it would be made a legend by a huge marketing campaign and the price would reflect as such. Hope FC will successfully commercialize this and make it affordable for people.

[@rodrigoavilalarriva]

Incredible engineering!! Congrats FC.

[@oatmongen4263]

Finally, someone is using compliant mechanisms!

[@Andrew-nn4ml]

Fred's been upping his game for years now...nice to have some fantastic alternatives. Imagine, not having to beg to be on a waitlist and then sell your kidney and children for a watch....great to see., keep it coming. The Flyback Chrono is superb, and waiting myself on the Worldtimer....

[@snowmean1]

I like to see how Seiko started another competition in watchmaking industry with its spring drive, and FC is definitely fantastic and capable competitor to GS. Bravo FC!

[@N7Sound]

Seiko starting what? This is a 100% mechanical watch, the Spring Drive is a quartz watch with power reserve...

[@entroheat]

@@N7Sound dumb and dumber and what is FC with 20 sec accuracy and SD is not quartz

[@silversurfer4680]

@@N7Sound you don't know what you're talking about lmao.

[@burdineestep4224]

Ker-pow take that spring drive. Just when you think a brand is somewhat dormant- they set the industry on it's heels. Bravo.

[@BeardyMacBeardFace]

I was really excited for this movement, but from Frederique Constant's website, _"Thanks_ _to_ _its_ _innovative_ _design_ _and_ _reduced_ _size,_ _this_ _revolutionary_ _high-frequency_ _silicon_ _oscillator_ _fits_ _inside_ _a_ _traditional_ _movement_ _configuration_ _and_ _offers_ _an_ *_average_* *_daily_* *_precision_* *_of_* *_-4/+6_* *_seconds."_* So this brilliant and exciting innovation is only providing COSC accuracy!? The latest Spring Drive movement is providing +/- 0.5 seconds per day.

[@LongTran-yv2nq]

Uh...this is not really impressive at all... This movement is beating at 288.000 beats per hour Spring drive is NOT ticking, the movement of the second hand of a spring drive watch is a TRUE SWEEP, with no stopping at any moment

[@entroheat]

This world is full of dummies this guy thinks this is revolutionary

[@TheFightFooter]

And don't know why I found out about this only now but this is absolutely ground breaking. It's like a spring drive but fully mechanical. Fantastic stuff!

[@castillo4141]

This is BRILLIANT! Breaking the 10 Hz barrier, destroying it actually, with a fully mechanical device.

[@Monochrome-watches]

There have been high-beat movements before this, with 10Hz frequency or higher. But this is indeed a breakthrough in regulating an mechanical movement by use of a monolithic oscillator. The application of complaint mechanism allows for new levels of precision and innovation.

[@horacioar3277]

Truly a groundbreaking development!!!!

[@TheSupertecnology]

This looks as smooth as Grand Seiko's Spring Drive, although it technically isn't... But has the advantage of not needing that many extra components to work, unlike SD which is basically a mechanical movement with half a quartz regulator. The balance wheel is so iconic, it kinda looks odd, but at the same time it's very impressive that efficiency wise, it achieves 80h and still runs at 40bps

[@sticknrudder1903]

I'd love to see big brands update their movements to use this mechanism, definitely a big step from the Zenith Defy. With the silicon this compact we can make complications and that'd be incredible!

[@antonvanschalkwyk5684]

Do you know the difference between this and zenith defy? Same principle?

[@sticknrudder1903]

@@antonvanschalkwyk5684 The Defy Lab and Defy Inventor use this oscillator as well, similar tech. But other defy on the current line up are just traditional movement

[@duncanhamilton5841]

Astonishing. Absolutely stoked for FC to present this as a production calibre, rather than some vague prototype. However, I now look down at my Manufacture with FC-710, and suddenly it feels very old. :/

[@michaelbarton5169]

So beautiful a package to house such an elegant reimagining of the watch's heart. Truly well done and innovative. So, is reimagination of fundamental blocks of the watch the newest version of the quartz crisis? Spring Drive vs Electrostatic vs Flexible-but-still-mechanical escapement? What an exciting time to be a watch lover! And the fact that the flexible mechanical escapement is naturally anti-magnetic, is much more accurate, and requires considerably less maintenance? That's true brilliance. As an engineer and an artist, I have to tip both hats to those who created this evolutionary piece. I can't wait to see how you use this new technology in your other watches. Perhaps you will be like ETA and everyone licenses your movement?

[@Monochrome-watches]

Thank you for the elaborate response. It might be on everyone's radar yet but this is truely innovative technology!

[@DarrenBates]

Think I've found my first Swiss Watch. Incredible.

[@nuno.maia.p6493]

This is amazing. But I hope they make use of in in different watch designs.

[@digggert]

bringing compliant mechanism oscillators to affordable timepieces certainly is an amazing achievement.

[@SixDasher]

If you call $4K+ affordable...

[@lancehunter3821]

Absolutely ingenuous and revolutionary for the mechanical watch making industry! More accuracy, precision, less components, less weight, no magnetism, less friction, longer run times, thinner cases and still mechanical! All pluses! My main concern at that much higher beat frequency (without oil) is the long-term wear and tear of the oscillator, which is made from just silica/celesium... Is this right?

[@elgatto3133]

The thing about the oscillator is it's a compliant machine, and made of Silicium. So as long as it doesn't go past the elastic zone of silicium (the length it stretches and can easily return back) as it deforms it should last essentially forever, and metal fatigue doesn't apply to the silicium as silicon is a metalloid.. Actually damn spectacular mechanical engineering.

[@lancehunter3821]

@@elgatto3133 Agreed, it's spectacular! This mechanical engineering revolution is made possible by advances in metallurgy which allows for the compliant machine. Excellent point, and thanks for correcting me on Silicium. If FC has a patent on this, I wonder if this will leap frog them into a higher echelon of manufacturers?

[@elgatto3133]

@@lancehunter3821 Hard to say, it may well be that other brands piggyback off the compliant machines company. Curious to see what Jaeger-LeCoultre will think about all this.

[@Monochrome-watches]

That is correct, wear (and as such; maintenance/servicing) is virtually non-existent with silicium components. The technology has been extensively tested by FC, under various conditions.

[@AbdElHmyd]

Another genius invention in watchmaking after Grand Seiko. Keep inventing FC

[@SwissWatchGang]

Very cool 👌👌

[@Texmotodad]

THANK YOU for showing us this!

[@Monochrome-watches]

No problem, with pleasure! 😊

[@morgan97475]

Very cool stuff. I can see someone obsessed with a smooth seconds hand getting this, a spring drive, and a Precisionist.

[@smiilsmiilovich1289]

Finally, worthy competitor for Spring Drive!

[@duncanidaho2130]

It does seem so.

[@japd7897]

You already had the Zenith Invertor.

[@cakraparindra4659]

I think FC will humiliate GS if this movement can surpass the accuracy of Spring Drive. Especially in its affordability

[@mrmyoujou]

They're both competing for second. problem with Grand Seiko is the Seiko part. problem with Frederique Constant is the wannabe Vacheron Constantin name.

[@duncanidaho2130]

@@mrmyoujou Interesting. A name does carry a lot of weight.

[@bellaggio1770]

Beautiful to look at as well, nice job!

[@albertotorres6138]

Congratulaciones Frederique Constant, I hope an afforfable price in the future

[@Monochrome-watches]

That's the brand's intention, opening up luxury watchmaking to more people. FC has done so with other collections, and it's unlikely to change any time soon. Also check out our latest FC video where Niels Eggerding explains more about the novelties from Geneva Watch Days and what's to come for FC.

[@fredrikkarlsson2010]

Very impressive, i love the smooth movement of the second

[@nathanshelby1446]

To see something so new and imaginative in a mechanical watch is Truly exciting can’t wait to see what else they come up with!

[@jhouston7222]

Wow!!! Seiko's Spring Drive and Citizen's Monolith.Japanese dominance?

[@watchnerds]

FC and Alpina is owned by Citizen?

[@Monochrome-watches]

Yes, are part of the Citizen Group. While FC was founded by Peter and Aletta Stas, a Dutch couple, and Flexous being a Dutch company.

[@dorado0359]

Wow, that watch is a stunner!

[@iluvtheblues]

Glaring omission from this video....the accuracy of the new movement. The higher frequency rate is really just a novelty if it doesn't make this new movement type more accurate. One would think that it has the capability. But I found it very interesting that there was NO mention of the +/- per day rate.

[@Monochrome-watches]

It's currently regulated withing COSC specifications but it yields much greater potential.

[@mukhammad-otabekyusupov6287]

so nice to see an Uzbek guy working for this watch brand. His actual name is Nimatulla, but people call him Nima Tulla))

[@julioizaguirre2517]

Very smart movement, these watches are masterpieces...

[@navinadv]

I think they have been discontinued because I can’t find them anywhere.

[@sleeplessengineer1450]

I found it its only $4,800. Pretty amazing compared to the Zenith that's $17,800. Looks way better than the Zenith too imo.

[@watchenthusiastlondon]

I am late to learning about this. Thank you revolution watches for throwing out the scent and for Monochrome reporting on it! Has anyone here managed to buy one of these and feed back having lived with it, yet ? I see they’re all sold out…

[@Richie_P]

In the past few years, there have been a number of innovations by Swiss manufacturers that were touted as "groundbreaking" like this, but they never sell. I wish FC the best of luck, but I'm afraid there just might not be enough of a market for such novelties.

[@NathanChisholm041]

Looks awesome guys nice to see some new watch tech development! I'm a huge Citizen fan and have been looking at getting an FC watch...

[@JogieGlenMait16]

damn, that actually makes sense. good for you, FC.

[@ZubairKhan-vs8fe]

A new way of regulating watches After 300 years

[@therealmattmendoza]

This is so awesome. I know the R&D is priced into the MSRP but in theory, apart from that R&D cost, straight fabrication should also be significantly cheaper than a traditional escapement watch, too. I wonder if they'll ever offer it at a lower price point.

[@simlowsb]

Bravo... I'm sold on your explanation. I'm buying one next week

[@Monochrome-watches]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@FS-zn9xe]

Quite impressive, isn't it? See some similarity with the Zenith Defy Inventor, which is a. 44mm in size b. 18Hz only and c. sells at 17,5k EUR. So the FC has a movement with more than double the frequency in a more wearable size of 40mm at one third of the prize of the Zenith. Just struggle with the looks of the watch itself - a bit too old fashioned for me, esp. when paired with such a revolutionary movement. So looking forward to see it being deployed in other models, i.e. the Highlife, was well.

[@watchbandit9241]

Very well said! The design is too Breguet'ish. Unfortunately the case back view is quite unimpressive as well, for such an impressive oscillator- and whole new gear train design.

[@bankbank]

Nice comparison with the Zenith Defy Inventor! Hopefully this model will sell well and we'll see new designs using this caliber FC810.

[@juniortoledo8088]

Amazing, great work.

[@GregoryIngle]

This is unreal. I can't believe it isn't all over. Big props to FC! I will wait on a dial design more my taste but I will have one of these.

[@bankbank]

Very exciting stuff! Can anyone think of any drawbacks of this type of manufacture? Maybe that it's just so new, there are unknown unknowns? It looks much more appealing and traditional than the Zenith Defy Inventor.

[@melvsdlp9293]

This is ground-breaking!

[@DavidDatura]

FC seem to have out Grand Seiko’d Grand Seiko here. With a similar but much more compact technology to that of Zenith’s oscillator tech from a few years back. Still, no mention of the actual accuracy of the watch here? Does it compare to quartz and the Spring Drive or not?

[@Monochrome-watches]

For the moment it’s given to COSC standards but it’s just the first tests

[@cakraparindra4659]

@@Monochrome-watches we're about to see if Grand Seiko should be worried or not after the COSC finally gave the accuracy result of this movement

[@retardinho5048]

It’s highly questionable if a fully mechanical movement can keep the time as good as Spring Drive, which is known to be incredibly accurate. (+- 15 seconds a month)

[@cakraparindra4659]

@@retardinho5048 Yes it's questionable at best. I don't have a degree in engineering so more reason for us to get excited eh?

[@alvinkoh5556]

So impressive!

[@adamleon8504]

amazing work

[@avarmauk]

The spring drive gets a lot of attention. I say this watch needs more attention, so innovative.

[@ft7039]

how is this not more well known?!

[@Monochrome-watches]

Beats us! It's incredible tech and has tons of potential. Who knows, somewhere down the line it might get the traction it deserves.

[@Albyilmago]

This is unique! And think that there are people who pays three times the price for a simple overproduced date watches….

[@GailitisPrintmaking]

That would make some insane chronographs!

[@991lung]

It’s a really interesting and impressive technology, but let’s don’t forget that Zenith did almost the same thing with the Defy Inventor about a year ago

[@Monochrome-watches]

You are right in the comparison between Zenith and FC regarding the use of silicon and both being compliant mechanisms. That is where the similarity ends though, as the oscillator in the Frederqiue Constant is a completely new and different type of construction.

[@biohayzer]

Great innovations. As much as these dress watches are really nice I’d love to see this implemented in some nice sport/chronograph models🤓👍🏻⌚️

[@PROJECTFAP]

If they made chronograph models that going to be awesome, lets wait for that.

[@kwell2307]

Damn. I just got a Tissot, ill have to consider this a future purchase. Super amazing looking brand in my range $$.

[@elihernandez330]

Pretty neat how they were able to essentially create a non electronic spring drive. Neat technology and I think it's great there is still a bar to raise for non electronically variated mechanical movements as I didnt think it was possible. But what is its accuracy?

[@Monochrome-watches]

When presented, it was regulated to run within COSC specifications (but not certified) but the potential is there for far greater accuracy. It is really an innovation that can still be develop further.

[@Csibu89]

COSC grade accuracy(heard in another video), superb shock resistance, extraordinary anti magnetism, suberb efficiency thus high power reserve, very low friction so probably long service intervals. What is the catch? Will the servicing be super costly? As the watch itself is available from like 4-5K eur. I just see no potential disadvantage(other than the high service cost) but major benefits. This can be ground breaking.

[@yb8999]

Well done!

[@ocb05]

Impressive. I wait for a 36-38mm no date version. Low weight, low friction, thin and they put it into 40mm cases SMH

[@abajaj1510]

Wow....incredible. .

[@Ruubinnn]

Damn that second hand goes buttery smooth. I'd love to see one with a small second on top of the oscillator lol that must look cool.

[@logicalthoughts]

Very smooth movement. Now to wait till FC increase the WR to 100M and the price to be less than US$2500.

[@watchnerds]

What about the shock susceptibility of the regulator/escapement? As from 8:20 it held by what I assume the steel or brass stud, then capped by the bridge/cock 8:00 for the escape wheel. And I think and assume, in the long run those two studs would have worn due to the high frequency of shock made by the whole silicon platform moved back and forth, not to mention the friction it has with the escape wheel bridge/cock when the dial upside down. I think some form of a shock absorber like Breguet parachute system, and tungsten/cobalt alloy studs would helps with the longetivity of the movement. And with that, I hope that the regulator plus the escapement including the plate and its absorber could be assembled in one block as the watchmaker won't need to dismantle those and just take off the block to do an overhaul with the rest of the movement ie mainspring, gear train, motion work, etc.

[@Monochrome-watches]

That is a good question. The properties of the material used for the oscillator are such that there is no need for additional shock absorbers. It will flex on it's own and as such will absorb a shock and simply bend back. They have tested it, under various conditions for exactly that and it kept working perfectly.

[@panaceiasuberes6464]

A Timeline Level Escapment - Thomas Mudge 1755

[@tonkaty]

5Hz was achieved in late 1960's in time only form. Zenith was simply the first to apply it to a chronograph.

[@didierlevy4268]

Is it cosc/metas certified ? What about maintenance intervalls ?

[@panaceiasuberes6464]

@@didierlevy4268 neither cosc nor metas could certified the FC... they don't have a system that can measure such a fast bph. Even FC had to develop their own machinery in order to measure the speed of the watch. Concerning my Inventor it works at a precision better than 1 second per month, around 10 seconds per year.

[@didierlevy4268]

@@panaceiasuberes6464 Thanks for the answer.

[@MrFudgepump]

I love how the watch looks traditional but has that funky jiggle going on

[@MrFudgepump]

@@coheher that is very interesting, I haven't even considered the frame rate. Thanks for that

[@naturalherbaloil2796]

Lovelyyy 👌👌👌

[@guenoleadamantu8939]

Citizen own Frederique Constant.

[@DmitryLubenskiy]

does it tick?

[@Monochrome-watches]

Yes, but very fast and almost imperceivable to the eye.

[@LimitedWard]

The only thing I'm still curious about is the accuracy. I see no mention about that in any articles I see. I have to assume it's fairly accurate given the precision, but I wonder also how it performs as the mainspring winds down.

[@Monochrome-watches]

As the technology is quite new still, and things will develope into the future, we can expect quite a bit from the FC Monolithic Oscillator. Currently it's regulated to run withing COSC specifications but holds far greater potential. So to us at least, it is definitely something to keep an eye on!

[@LimitedWard]

@@Monochrome-watches that's really impressive! Thanks for the response!

[@stevefox8605]

That's incredible 🤯 Thank you 👍👍

[@momchilnedkov6502]

awesome !

[@Guitarman2k10]

very impressive!

[@JapanJacques]

I’d have to see it in person, the front open heart part seems like it could get distracting with the rapid oscillation

[@Monochrome-watches]

Seeing watches, especially such innovative models like this, is always best to witness live. But we'll keep sharing our hands-on experience of course ;)

[@amypeterson4615]

I bet our friends at Grand Seiko are holding a few emergency team meetings.

[@arturgarncarz3631]

very underrated brand

[@Monochrome-watches]

Yes they are!

[@tmac20031]

How can that silicon oscillator possibly last longer than a few years without breaking from wear. It looks incredibly delicate.

[@ManVsWatch]

Wow very impressive ! :o so nice video :)

[@Monochrome-watches]

Thank you very much!

[@theJade]

Compliant mechanisms is super cool and love where this is headed. What I would want to know is whether there is additional wear on the escapement itself since it's oscillating at 40x a normal escapement. Also, whether or not the movement is noisy at all.

[@Monochrome-watches]

With the properties of silicium there is no extra wear on the mechanism. It can be incorporated into a regular movement construction due to its small size. As a direct result it weighs very little and puts less stress on a movement than a regular oscillator. And thus, less friction, no need for lubrication, a much higher frequency is possible and it is virtually shockproof no it's own.

[@csmcilwain]

Well done to FC...now if only it also looked as nice through the case back...

[@hpbunaes]

Mind boggling.

[@peterc3700]

Love it!

[@soon-jaekwon6672]

fantastic

[@lelsewherelelsewhere9435]

Reminds me of the old Bulova Accutron's tuning fork mechanism.

[@elgatto3133]

Alright, this is cool as hell. Nothing else to say about it.

[@jwoodyr1]

How shock resistant are the adjustable weights? A small shift in position will likely result in big regulation changes.

[@Monochrome-watches]

The properties of the silicon oscillator are such that no shock is passed through to the adjustable weights. The material will flex on it's one in the occurance of a shock and absorb it. It has been extensively tested by FC, under various circumstances to ensure it works perfectly.

[@chenmatt4467]

Wondering what the service interval for this piece is. I imagine some gears would need to be replaced regularly due to the high frequency….?

[@Monochrome-watches]

The most crucial elements are made of silicon, and with less mechancial couplings in the construction, there's far less friction. So if anything, service intervals should be the same, if not better/longer.

[@walterking5453]

Absolutely brilliant, love the Watch would like to know more appropriation

[@hohenheim69]

This will be a limited edition? Or for general public?

[@Monochrome-watches]

It will first be released as a Limited Edition; 810 pieces in steel with a blue dial, 810 pieces in steel with a silver-coloured dial and 81 pieces in pink gold.

[@hohenheim69]

@@Monochrome-watches oh well... someday I hope, it will be amazing to get one of this marvelous machines, but not as a limited edition, too expenssive.

[@alessandrobottero6544]

Looks like they they spent the whole budget for R&D, leaving 0€ for watch design and finishing, which is really a pity. No matter how technologically impressive or revolutionary the regulator and escarpment are, if the rest of the watch and its details don’t live up to that standard and are totally underwhelming (as in this case), well, my enthusiasm really drops under the worth buying level. I hope in the future they’ll implement this new technology in more interesting and thought through designs with a proper finishing.

[@Monochrome-watches]

The beauty of the size and construction of the new Monolithic oscillator is that it can replace a standard escapement mechanism. Further down the line it can be expected to be seen in other models too, but time will tell.

[@youcefbayou5293]

World premiere