Tuesday, January 31, 2012


DOUBLE HEART BEAT BLACK BEAUTY



Black Beauty

Launching Frederique Constant Black Beauty, an exciting addition to Frederique Constant's bestselling Double Heart Beat Collection. The deep black mother of pearl dial and many diamonds of the Black Beauty will certainly attract attention. The original and registered design of this range - with two intertwined hearts forming an aperture in the dial revealing the 'heart beat' of the movement- makes the Frederique Constant Double Heart Beat more than just a watch. These fine timepieces have been developed with passion to reflect the values and aspirations of today's woman. Frederique Constant's Double Heart Beat watches are created with precision design and assembled by hand, allowing for a high quality timepiece each and every time. Perceived value is important, so we know that quality must be consistent in our work and is vital to our success. Passion definitely shows through our craftsmanship, as well as our charitable donations. We are equally as passionate about charity, with US$50 from each watch sold in our Double Heart Beat Collection donated to various charities. These charities include those related to the heart and children. Hence the slogan for this collection "Assembled by hand to touch your heart".




Heart Beat

Frederique Constant signature is the Heart Beat. In 1994, Frederique Constant developed its first Heart Beat watch. The purpose of the Heart Beat development was to show the mechanical nature of these Frederique Constant watches. Heart Beat watches have an aperture at the position of the balance wheel to show that the movement of the watch is mechanical. Early in the 1990’s, automatic mechanical watches were slowly making their return to the market after the quartz crisis of the 1970-1980’s. Typically, the exterior of such mechanical watches looks similar to quartz watches except that the second hand moves continuously. On quartz watches, the second hand makes 60 steps per minute. At Frederique Constant, we considered it important to better show the difference between mechanical and quartz watches. In a mechanical watch, the balance wheel beats 28’800 times per hour. The balance wheel rotates clockwise and counter clockwise on its axes in a large ruby jewel. Its rotation is controlled by the hairspring, which constantly coils and uncoils, and can be seen through the open eye of the Heart Beat watches.




Heart related charities

The next time you see someone wearing one of the beautiful Double Heart Beat Collection watches, remember that part of the cost for that watch went to help a patient.
Somewhere out there is a child with a bad heart that could end a potentially eventful life and a future replete with possibilities. Frederique Constant donated two cheques in the value of US$ 50’000 (2008) and US$ 75’000 (2011) to the International Children’s Heart Foundation, a passionate organization that brings skills, technology and knowledge to diagnose and care for children with congenital heart disease to developing countries.

In 2009, we lent our support by funding Paint a Smile’s bid to decorate the Beijing Children’s Cardiology Department and put smiles on the faces of children dealing with heart-related issues.

In 2010, we awarded the American Heart Association with a US$50,000 check for their charitable efforts to prevent heart disease and stroke. We stated, “Driven by Passion since we started our company, Frederique Constant is very honoured to award the American Heart Association and their passionate projects to save lives. We wish and hope that our donation will permit them to actualise their goal.”

In 2011, we also held a benefit for the Hong Kong Children’s Heart Foundation, with Chinese actress and Frederique Constant brand ambassador ShuQi helping us drum popular support for the cause of children with congenital heart problems.

With passion, we continue to provide support to heart and child related charities. In 2012, we will again donate a major cheque to a charitable cause.

About Frederique Constant

Over the years, we have earned a reputation as a leading maker of Swiss luxury watches despite the relative youth of our brand. The quality of our watches and the detail involved in crafting each watch is only part of our success story; the rest was driven by watch aficionados and lovers of our brand who saw that we had something different and unique to offer. It is by appealing to this same group of people that we hope to make a difference in the lives of many by soliciting for their support to extend the same affection they have for the brand, towards charities and causes we are associated with.

Interview with Aletta Stas

Cofounder and COO of Frederique Constant

How did you design the DHB Collection?

About 7 years ago, while having a coffee with Peter at home, we discussed the question how to make our Ladies Heart Beat watches more feminine. At that moment, our Ladies Heart Beat watches had MOP dials with diamonds and a round opening at 12 o clock. "What about using Hearts?", I proposed. We went together behind the computer and drew the first Double Heart Beat Dial with our design program. This was the start of the Double Heart Beat Collection. The Double Heart represents for me the hearts of 2 people who love each other.

What does the Charity Campaign mean for you?

For me, the Charity Campaign is a way to give something back to the Community. We are lucky to be born in a country where there is a good health system, where there is help from the government when you are in need. Unfortunately in some other parts of the world it is not the case. By donating the cost of a lifesaving heart scan (US$ 50) for each Double Heart Beat watch sold, we and our customers help children who are in need. I am very happy to be able to help and hope to further develop our charity activities.

How many DHB watches do you own and how do you wear them?

During the past year, I have been wearing our Chocolate Double Heart Beat and I am looking forward to wearing our latest version: the Black Double Heartbeat. It is elegant, contemporary and classy at the same time.

No comments: