Frederique Constant expands its cuff-style Classics Manchette with a fifth edition that trades numerals for nuance. The recipe is clear: an ultra-slim yellow-gold PVD case, a sculptural Clous de Paris bracelet in alternating brushed and polished textures, and a dial cut from genuine black onyx beneath an anti-reflective sapphire crystal.
The choice of onyx sets the tone. Deep and uniform at first glance, it carries natural variation that makes each dial its own quiet statement. Yellow-gold hands provide the necessary contrast without disturbing the calm. It is dressy, but not brittle. Think evening jacket with pockets that actually work.
Power comes from the FC-200 caliber, a quartz movement with a stated five-year battery life. No ceremony at the crown, no weekly ritual. In a design-led piece like this, the practicality reads as honest rather than evasive. The point is the cuff and its light play, not a glossary of gear trains.
The bracelet does most of the talking. Clous de Paris can feel decorative when overused; here it becomes architecture, catching light along its facets and giving the rectangular silhouette a measured rhythm. The case and bracelet finish meet cleanly, which is where a piece like this either succeeds or squeaks.
As a collection, Manchette has been building toward this darker note. After four earlier variations this year, the new black onyx model brings welcome restraint to the glam-rock brief. It is confident without shouting, and better for it. If your wrist enjoys geometry with a touch of midnight, this reads as the strongest expression so far.
Leave a Reply