It’s definitely still a Classic, but with some major new features: the Classic Date Manufacture now sports the new FC-706 Manufacture calibre with a 72-hour power reserve and a five-year warranty. The steel case has been resized to a slightly smaller 40 millimetres, a classy and classic diameter housing a new dial free from figures. Slim hour markers and a ‘railtrack’ minute circle encompass a sunburst dial.
There’s the form, and then there’s the substance: the new incarnation of the Classic Date Manufacture remain true to the canons of authentic, traditional Fine Watchmaking, they do so by adopting a different stylistic and technical approach to that of their predecessors.
The ethos of the new model is all about refinement, starting with a considerably slimmed-down case diameter of 40mm instead of the previous 42mm. This evolution is in line with the current expectation of lovers of fine watchmaking – and also reflects the dimensions of most of the timepieces released over the past fifty years that have gone on to become timeless icons.
The smaller size actually makes the dial look more open and untrammelled than ever before, while the sunburst finish gives it a constant, gentle gleam.
Manufacture
Classic Date
Additional Information
- Movement FC-706
- Movement Technology Automatic
- Country Switzerland
- Movement FC-706
- Movement Technology Automatic
- Movement Description Powered by the release of a wound spring, mechanical movements never require a battery. Automatic mechanical movements have an oscillating weight that winds the spring with the motion of the wearer’s arm.
- Functions Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Date by hand
- Country Switzerland
- Case Colour Silver-Tone
- Case Shape Round
- Case Material Stainless Steel
- Case Length 40
- Case Thickness 11.78
- Lug Width (mm) 20
- Water Resistance [WR50/5Bar/166ft] Swimming
- Dial Colour Black
- Dial Material Brass
- Crystal Anti-Reflective Sapphire Crystal
- Crystal Description Impact and shatter resistant - anti-reflective coating deflects light
- Band Type Strap
- Band Material Genuine Alligator
- Band Colour Black
- Clasp Type Buckle
- Box Image URL o78sluxaz7
MANUFACTURE
The ethos of the three new models is all about refinement, with the smaller size actually making the dial look more open than ever before, while the sunburst finish gives it a constant, gentle gleam.
Each of the three timepieces benefits from a major movement upgrade from a 38-hour to a 72-hour power reserve thanks to the new FC-706 Manufacture movement. Highly reliable, it beats at a rate of 4Hz. A new finish has been applied to the bridges, thoroughly redesigned to house the new larger-capacity barrel. The new decorations include beading and a fan-shaped Cotes de Genève finish.
The highly minimalist ethos adopted for the dial has led to a full redesign of the hour markers, hands and minute circle. The applique hour markers are diamond-faceted, polished and slightly smaller at 5 and 7 o’clock, to give plenty of space to the date display and hand at 6 o’clock. The central hour and minute hands are now diamond-cut, too; they and the central seconds hand are hand-polished, redone in the Alpha style to match the profile of the hour markers. The complete absence of Roman or Arabic numerals makes telling the time more intuitive. A new ‘railtrack’ minute circle bears witness to the accuracy of the hours and minutes indications, while an onion-type crown sits at 3 o’clock.
This style comes on a black alligator strap, with an all-black sunburst dial and silver hour markers and hands. The date and minute indications are black to ensure optimum readability. To top it all, the Classic Date Manufacture now comes with a five-year warranty.
