Learn about Frederique Constant's Slimline Monolithic Manufacture through video

This video, brought to you by the Chronos Japan editorial team, features a beautiful watch movement and hands in 4K resolution, along with expert commentary from Editor-in-Chief Masamasa Hirota. This time, we'll be looking at the Frederique Constant Slimline Monolithic Manufacture, which uses a small silicon oscillator to achieve an ultra-high frequency of 288,000 vph.

Frederique Constant Slimline Monolithic Manufacture

What is a Monolithic Oscillator?

　The Frederique Constant Slimline Monolithic Manufacture uses a silicon wafer to mold the entire escapement (excluding the governor and escape wheel) into a single unit, allowing it to oscillate on its own, achieving an ultra-high frequency of 288,000 vph, 10 times the 28,800 vph generally considered a high-beat.

　What benefits does this ultra-high beat give to the watch? And what is the aim of molding the escapement, the heart of a mechanical watch, as a single unit out of silicon? Masamasa Hirota, editor-in-chief of Chronos Japan, will answer these questions and explain the innovative nature of Slimline Monolithic Manufacture.

　In addition, this video uses 4K super slow motion to show the elastic vibration of the oscillator and the movement of the escape wheel, which cannot be discerned with the naked eye. You can enjoy every detail of this ambitious work from Frederique Constant.

Introduction model overview

This new model features an integrated oscillator with a high vibration rate of 288,000 vph. This frequency, ten times that of a Swiss lever escapement, not only ensures high isochronism, but also enables smooth, almost sweeping hand movement. Because it does not have a balance spring, it is less susceptible to positional changes, and because the oscillator itself is made of non-magnetic silicon, it theoretically also offers excellent magnetic resistance.