The user need only press the push-piece at 4 o’clock just once to start the timer again from zero. This push-piece and its associated mechanism are essentially performing three tasks in rapid succession, one after the other, for an instant flyback of the chronograph hand: first, disengaging the clutch; second, resetting the chronograph to zero by means of the single-piece hammer, whose sloping surfaces turn the two zero-reset hearts so that the hands may reposition themselves vertically; and third, re-engaging the clutch as soon as the push-piece is released. This highly complex sequence of movements proceeds directly from the push-piece to the clutch lever. The flyback module, which is attached to the base movement, Caliber FC-710, in a configuration designed to conserve energy between the mechanisms, is produced in-house by Frédérique Constant.
The Frédérique Constant Flyback Chronograph Manufacture makes its debut in two main versions, one more sporty and casual with a silver or dark gray smooth dial; the other more classical-looking, with a silver dial graced with “Clou de Paris” guilloché decoration, printed black Roman numerals and Breguet-style hands. Both versions are available in 42-mm-diameter cases in either stainless steel or rose-gold-plated stainless steel. The tricompax dial features subdials at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock for the 30-minute chronograph counter, hand-type date display, and small seconds indicator, respectively. A tachymeter scale — useful for timing events like races in conjunction with the flyback chronograph — appears on the dial’s outer edge. The FC-760 movement, visible through a clear caseback, oscillates at 28,800 vph and is decorated with perlage and côtes de Genève.
As per its custom,Frédérique Constant has also made its version of this high-end horological complication quite attainable from a pricing perspective: it will retail for just $3,995 in stainless steel and $4,295 in rose-gold-plated steel.