ust over a century ago, in the 1920s and 30s, watchmakers broke free from the conventional round case to invent square and rectangular variants. This enduringly popular style is back once more with three new Classics Carrée Small Seconds watches.

It’s the square that’s not a square: the Classics Carrée watch by Frederique Constant measures 36 x 25.2 mm. Rules are meant to be broken. After all, when the Genevan manufacturer announced, 35 years ago, that it wanted to create an exquisite yet affordable Swiss Made watch, people said - even then! - that it couldn’t be done.

In truth, we can’t let words or dimensions stop us. The Classics Carrée style evokes the Art Déco spirit of the ’20s and ’30s, with straight, taut lines and elaborate shapes that break away from the conventional circle. The three new versions of the Classics Carrée Small Seconds watch embody this spirit. The rectangular case houses a dial with an equally rectangular minute track, and a small independent seconds hand at 6 o’clock. This is offset from the main dial by a slight recess. The hour markers - written in Roman numerals - run parallel to the sector-dial minute track, a typical feature of watches during the Interwar Years. The same is true of the onion crown, which pays homage to the pocket watches that these wrist-worn timepieces were gradually relegating to the annals of history.

In spite of these vintage touches, the movement boasts a resolutely modern design. Each watch features a quartz calibre providing more than two years of battery life (25 month), guaranteed. This ensures perfect precision and the lasting peace of mind to wear, or not, your watch to suit your needs, without having to worry about resetting the time.

All three of these Classics Carrée Small Seconds watches meet these needs with aplomb. First of all, for elegant gala dinners, a version whose steel case is entirely set with 158 diamonds totalling 1.185 carats. This radiant, classy timepiece features a silver opaline dial and a calfskin strap. Then, for vibrant, modern city living, there’s the 100% steel version, case and bracelet included. Its complex seven-link construction ensures flawless flexibility when worn.

Last but not least, for those classic laid-back looks, a version that melds the best of the previous two, with a steel case and calfskin strap. Retaining the vintage style of its predecessors, while offering simplicity suitable for any age and occasion, this watch is the most affordable of the three.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Reference FC-235S2CD6

Functions

• Hours, minutes, small seconds

Movement

• FC-235 caliber, quartz
• 25 months battery life, 6 jewels

Case

• Polished stainless steel 3-part case set of 158 diamonds (1,185 carat)
• Dimensions of 36 X 25,20 mm
• Height of 5,85 mm
• Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
• Water-resistant up to 3 ATM/30m/100ft
• Screwed solid case back

Dial

• Silver color dial with matt finishing
• Black printed roman numerals
• Black hour and minute hands
• Small seconds counter at 6 o’clock with black hand

Strap

• Black calf leather with crocodile pattern embossing and tone-on-tone stitching
• Pin buckle