Frederique Constant SA is a luxury wristwatch manufacturer based in Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva. The company was established in its current form in 1988 by Aletta Bax and Peter Stas and is involved in all the stages of watch production, from initial design to final assembly. The company produces over 120,000 watches annually.<br><br>In February 2007, Frederique Constant began production of the Silicium escapement wheel (first introduced to the industry by Patek Philippe in 2005.) Frederique Constant introduced the Heart Beat Calibre FC 935 Silicium in October 2007. The FC Heart Beat implements new high tech materials to create better, more precise and more reliable mechanical watches.<br><br>In April 2008, Frederique Constant established itself as one of Switzerland’s leading watch brands with the creation of a tourbillon with a silicium escape-wheel and, for the first time, an amplitude of over 300 degrees between its vertical and horizontal positions. Coupled with the rapid oscillation, this gives the watch an unusually high level of precision, while the silicium guarantees optimum protection.<br><br>Frederique Constant's extensive watch collection includes the Heart Beat Manufacture (with in house movements), the Maxime Manufacture Automatic, Ladies Automatic, Runabout, Index, Vintage Rally, Junior (aimed at teenagers), Delight, Classics, Slim Line, Carree, Persuasion and Art Deco.<br><br>Frederique Constant is known for delicate rounded cases that require many hours of hand polishing.
- Case: Stainless Steel, Round
- Caseback: Stainless Steel, Screw in, Engraved
- Bezel: Stainless Steel, Rose Gold, Fixed
- Dial: Silver, analog
- Hands: Goldtone
- Markers: Applied indexes
- Calendar: Month, Day, Date by hand
- Subdials: Small Seconds between 2 and 3 o'clock, Central Seconds, 10th of a Second Counter at 6 o'clock, 30 Minutes Counter between 9 and 10 o'clock
- Functions: Hours, Minutes, Small seconds, Month, Day, Date by hand, Chronograph
- Strap: Leather, Brown
- Clasp: Tang, Stainless Steel
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Crown: Push / Pull
- Movement: FC-296 (Base Ronda 5040.F), Quartz
- Water Resistance: 5 atm/50 meters/165 feet
- Case measurements: 40 mm in diameter x 10.56 mm thick
- Strap measurements: 20 mm wide x 8 in long
- Country of Origin: Switzerland
- Model: FC296SW5B4
All measurements are approximate and may vary slightly from the listed dimensions.Men's watch bands can be sized to fit 7.5-inch to 8.5-inch wrists. Extra links are available through the manufacturer. (We do not provide this service).Automatic movement winds with the movement of your arm. It is recommended that you wind the watch every two weeks.A screw-down crown (knob) creates a water-resistant seal. To unscrew the crown, turn counter-clockwise and pull/push into position to set time, date, and other functions. To close the crown, press it against the case and turn clockwise.