Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

This new Frederique Constant watch is a Cartier Tank alternative

Frederique Constant Classics Carrée Small Seconds debuts

graphic of Frederique Constant Classic Carrée Small Seconds watch on platform
Frederique Constant / Frederique Constant

Frederique Constant is no stranger to creating works of art with their watches. Previous watches of theirs have invoked the sense of celestial beauty, and now they’re bringing all of the opulence and luxury of the Art Deco era to your wrist. In their latest release, the watch company is all about the small details that create a stunning piece that earns a spot in any collection. Taking a cue from the 20s and 30s, this new timepiece takes the standard watch and gives it a rectangular shape. Although these shapes aren’t new in the industry, they’re still a great change from what you would expect from any watch. Whether it’s to wear or to marvel at, the newest Frederique Constant is nothing short of an artwork. 

The Frederique Constant Classic Carrée

Frederique Constant stainless steel case watch in platform
Frederique Constant / Frederique Constant

In Frederique Constant’s Classic Carrée Small Seconds, users are treated to an Art Deco-inspired piece that brings together many aspects unique to the era but with a modern refresh. Although there’s no avoiding the beauty of the watch, the inside is equally as detailed. Equipped with the quartz movement FC-235, this watch has an impressive two-year battery life. Housed in a 36mm stainless steel case, this watch also has a 5.85mm thickness and water resistance of 3 ATM. The matte finish dial is complete with printed Roman numeral indexes in black that starkly contrast its gray color. 

Recommended Videos

The most visually captivating aspect of this watch comes in the form of its shape and details. True to its 20s and 30s inspiration, the Frederique Constant Classic Carrée Small Seconds comes in a rectangular case containing a rectangular minute track and an independent seconds hand at 6 o’clock.

What else to know 

person wearing Classics Carree Small Seconds watch
Frederique Constant / Frederique Constant

Frederique Constant’s Constant Classic Carrée Small Seconds is the perfect watch to dazzle any watch enthusiast, but it’s also a modern piece that functions for any situation. The first option of the Classic Carrée Small Seconds is a diamond set stainless steel case, which offers 158 gems around the case to give your wrist an extra touch of glamour along with a leather strap. If you’re looking for a more understated option, Frederique Constant also offers a 100% stainless steel case that’s sleek and modern despite the retro inspiration. Lastly, the brand also offers a mixture of both with a stainless steel case and a calfskin leather strap. 

No matter the option, these Frederique Constant Classic Carrée Small Seconds options are breathtaking pieces that give plenty to talk about. Breaking the mold of circular watches, the reintroduction of rectangular dials in the watch industry is a welcome change that offers a different touch to your watches. This piece is available for € 3,895.00 and can be purchased directly through Frederique Constant’s site or available boutiques and vendors. 

Leslie Leon
Leslie is a Los Angeles-based writer and content creator. She is always researching and finding the latest fashion trends…
Topics
Longines introduces bright white dial to Legend Diver collection
Classic evolution: Longines legend diver's white dial honors 66-year diving heritage
Longines legend diver white dial

Longines introduces a striking matte white dial to its popular Legend Diver collection, marking a notable departure from the traditional black face while retaining the design that has defined the model for sixty-six years. This new variant joins a lineup of dial colors in the well-liked 39mm case size.
The Legend Diver’s history dates back to Longines’ first dive watch from 1959, which featured a super compressor case. This design used gaskets that became more watertight as depth increased, allowing the original to reach about 400 feet. The watch also included a unique 60-minute internal rotating bezel, operated by a second crown to prevent accidental adjustments during dives.
This heritage remains strong in today’s models. The new white dial version preserves the vintage-inspired look and function, while offering a fresh, eye-catching appearance.
The 39mm stainless steel case remains compact, measuring just 12.7mm thick—smaller than most modern dive watches, making it comfortable for a variety of wrist sizes and occasions. Water resistance has been upgraded from the original’s 400 feet to 1,000 feet, meeting contemporary professional diving standards and reinforcing its status as a true tool watch.
The dial is monochromatic, with raised hour markers and hands filled with green luminescent material and outlined in black for excellent readability in all lighting conditions—an essential feature for underwater timekeeping.
Inside, the watch is powered by the ETA-based Longines L888.6 automatic movement, which provides reliable three-hand timekeeping, a silicon balance spring, and a 72-hour power reserve. This modern movement delivers current performance while maintaining the simplicity that defines the Legend Diver.
The bracelet features polished “beads of rice” links down the center for both visual appeal and comfort. Additional strap options include new blue or black rubber bands, allowing for versatility from professional diving to everyday wear.
With the addition of the white dial, the Legend Diver collection now offers blue, black, brown, grey, and green dials—all in the popular 39mm size. This expanded range demonstrates how classic designs can remain relevant and desirable through thoughtful updates rather than drastic changes.

Read more
TAG Heuer returns to Goodwood Festival of Speed as official timing partner
Motorsport homecoming: TAG Heuer's goodwood festival partnership honors racing legacy
Tag Heuer at goodwood

TAG Heuer comes back to the Goodwood Festival of Speed as its official timing partner. This marks a major return for the Swiss brand, which has a deep connection to motorsport. The partnership aligns with the festival’s 2025 theme, “The Winning Formula – Champions in addition to Challengers,” recognizing Formula 1’s 75th anniversary. TAG Heuer has also recently resumed its role as Formula 1’s official timekeeper.
The Duke of Richmond started the festival in 1993. It centers around a 1.86-kilometer hillclimb course, where Max Chilton set the current record of 39.08 seconds in the McMurtry Spéirling. The event attracts hundreds of thousands of attendees, with millions more following through live streams, making it a central stage for car culture.
TAG Heuer’s motorsport history spans over a century, beginning with the first dashboard-mounted chronograph in 1911. The brand later introduced the first 1/100th second chronograph in 1916 and the first automatic chronograph for sale in 1969. Its partnerships include Formula 1, Porsche, Oracle Red Bull Racing, the Indianapolis 500, and the Automobile Club de Monaco.
“Motorsport is not just about competition, it is a cultural force, like TAG Heuer,” said Antoine Pin, TAG Heuer CEO. “We are honored to return as Timing Partner at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.”
To mark the occasion, TAG Heuer created the limited edition Carrera Chronograph x Festival of Speed. This watch features a British racing green dial inspired by Goodwood Green, a subtle hobnail pattern, and red accents. The 42mm case houses the in-house TH20-00 movement and comes with a brown leather rally strap reminiscent of 1970s motor racing.
Only 100 pieces of this special edition exist. Goodwood Road Racing Club members will have the first opportunity to purchase it before it becomes available to the general public. The design celebrates British car culture and showcases TAG Heuer’s expertise in chronographs.
The Duke of Richmond highlighted TAG Heuer’s significance in motorsport, noting its honored history and collaborations with some of the sport’s greatest drivers and teams.
This timing partnership reinforces TAG Heuer’s leadership in motorsport and offers a new platform to celebrate car culture through precise timekeeping and commemorative watchmaking.

Read more
Urban Jürgensen revival captures watch world attention with modern approach
Danish legacy reborn: Urban jürgensen's 250-year heritage meets contemporary luxury under new ownership
Urban Jürgensen revival

Urban Jürgensen became 2025’s most discussed watch revival. A 250-year-old Danish horological legacy was transformed into a contemporary luxury brand through family ownership and the technical leadership of renowned independent watchmaker Kari Voutilainen. The brand’s Los Angeles launch event was the year’s most talked-about watch presentation.
Founded in Copenhagen in 1773, Urban Jürgensen produced over 700 timepieces in the early 1800s and developed technical innovations such as ultra-precise marine chronometers. Despite several ownership changes and near disappearance over two centuries, passionate collectors preserved the brand’s reputation among watch experts.
“The biggest, most respected collectors own Urban Jürgensen watches—this brand, this name, is simply the highest level,” said watch writer Thomas Brechtel, highlighting the devoted following among serious enthusiasts, even though the brand remains little known to the general public.
The Rosenfield family acquired Urban Jürgensen in 2021, bringing a collector’s passion to the brand’s stewardship. Co-CEO Alex Rosenfield’s father had collected Urban Jürgensen pieces since the 1990s, which led to an unexpected opportunity to acquire the company when it needed investment to restart.
Kari Voutilainen, widely regarded as one of the most acclaimed independent watchmakers, leads technical development, while his 25-year-old daughter Venla serves as COO. This partnership brings authentic watchmaking credibility while modernizing the brand’s communication to appeal to younger audiences.
The launch collection includes three models showcasing Voutilainen’s craftsmanship: the UJ-1 250th Anniversary Tourbillon limited to 75 pieces (CHF 368,000), the UJ-2 three-hand watch (CHF 105,000), and the UJ-3 perpetual calendar with moonphase (CHF 168,000). Each features clean Scandinavian dial aesthetics, fine guilloché, and hand-applied numerals.
“The image contrasts modern, playful marketing with serious, traditional watchmaking—but it works because it is grounded in artisanal quality,” observed JX Su, founder of SJX Watches.
Rosenfield’s approach emphasizes accessibility rather than exclusivity, targeting a diverse audience including women and younger collectors, not just established enthusiasts. Ellen von Unwerth’s “Time Well-Spent” campaign, featuring people aged 19 to 82, reflects this inclusive vision.
This revival shows how historic watch brands can succeed today by combining genuine craftsmanship with contemporary communication strategies.

Read more