Form and substance: the three new iterations of the Classic Date Manufacture remain in the realm of fine, traditional, authentic watchmaking, but with a different technical and aesthetic approach from the previous versions.
The pieces reflect a refined approach. First of all, the case has been significantly reduced from 42 mm to 40 mm in diameter. This is an opening in line with the expectations of lovers of fine watchmaking, which also reflects the dimensions of most of the timepieces of the last 50 years, which have become timeless.
Despite this subtle reduction, the dial appears more refined and airy than ever. Its sunray finish allows the light to diffuse evenly and softly. The versions with silver and salmon dials are particularly radiant, while the third variant, with a black dial, offers a more intense and contemporary face.
As for the movement, each piece benefits from a major update. The old 38-hour power reserve calibres have been replaced by the new Manufacture FC-706 movement, which guarantees three days of autonomy, or 72 hours. A new finish has been applied to the bridges, which have been entirely redesigned to accommodate the new large-capacity barrel. These include circular graining and fan-shaped côtes de Genève instead of the previous circular motifs. The cherry on the cake is that the Classic Date Manufacture now comes with a 5-year warranty.
The highly refined character of the dial is reflected in a complete overhaul of the hour-markers, hands and minute track. The hour-markers are applied, diamond-cut, polished andvery slightly reduced at 5 and 7 o'clock to allow the date display to breathe, which also has a pointer at 6 o'clock.
The hour and minute hands, also diamond-cut and hand-polished, are now of the "Alpha" type, in harmony with the profile of the hour-markers. The total absence of numerals, whether Roman or Arabic, allows the hours and minutes to be read in an open-plan manner. Their precision is confirmed by a new "railway-style" minute track. At 3 o'clock, there is an "onion" crown.
The first iteration, worn on a chocolate-coloured alligator strap, features a salmon-coloured dial combined with a steel case, and silver-coloured hour-markers and hands. The date and minute track indications are in black to enhance visibility. The same process is used on the second model, with a silver sunray dial worn on a navy blue alligator strap. The third model offers the most contemporary contrast, with a steel case, and silver-coloured hands and hour- markers set against an absolutely black sunray dial on a black alligator strap.
