Geneva – April 2016
For immediate release

The Swiss watch manufacturer Frederique Constant is delighted to introduce a new model to its successful Classics collection: the Classics Art of Porcelain, a genuinely unique watch limited to only 188 pieces. By day or by night, this peerless timepiece will bring elegance and sophistication to every wrist.

The Classics Art of Porcelain timepieces set themselves apart from other watches in the Classics collection; the addition of a hand made porcelain dial and the accentuated black roman numerals bring a unique and elegant touch to the refined design.

The beauty, depth and subtle texture of the hand made porcelain dial speaks for itself, but what makes this model so special is the fact that each dial is made by skilled craftsmen from the Zsolnay Porcelain Manufacture, who ensure that the colour of the porcelain will last for decades. The Zsolnay factory was established by Miklós Zsolnay (1800–1880) in Pécs, Hungary, to produce ceramics in 1853. In 1863, his son, Vilmos Zsolnay (1828–1900) joined the company and became its manager and director after several years. He led the factory to worldwide recognition by demonstrating its innovative products at world fairs and international exhibitions, including the 1873 World Fair in Vienna. Then at the 1878 World Fair in Paris, where Zsolnay received a Grand Prix.

Porcelain is a ceramic material made by heating components in a kiln to temperatures reaching between 1,200 and 1,400 °C (2,200 and 2,600 °F). The toughness, strength and translucence of porcelain arises mainly from vitrification and the formation of the mineral mullite within the body at these high temperatures. Porcelain is highly valued due to its association with the court, either as a tribute offering, or as a product of kilns under imperial supervision. Unlike its lower-fired counterparts, porcelain does not need glazing. However, many types of porcelain are further treated using various methods, such as the iron-containing glaze, for its striking effects on porcelain.