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The Fabrication De Montres Normandes (FDMN) at the Salon Belles Montres
The FDMN has been founded by german watchmaker Karsten Frässdorf. It's a new Manufacture based in Brionne (France).
I already presented the work of FDMN here because Karsten Frässdorf developped the calibers used in Marc Brogsitter's watches.
But the Salon Belles Montres gave me the opportunity to discover Karsten's talent in another context: within his own brand.
I must confess, as a french guy, I'm very happy to handle watches which calibers have been created, developped and built in France. It's the reason why the dial is stamped with a proud "Fabriqué en France".
What is the philosophy of the FDMN ?
They are basically two main ideas :
- the first one is to design calibers which find again the aspects of the traditional watchmaking : slow frequency, big balance wheel, an architecture totally focussed into efficiency, reliability and accuracy.
- the second one is to pass down this "know-how", this experience to young watchmakers in order to perpetuate this specific way of making chronometric watches.
The current FDMN collection is based on 2 calibers in which you will find, of course, all the soul of this traditional watchmaking I explained before.
The first one, the 770 is a mere 3 hands caliber while the other one (the 781) features a tourbillon.
The 2 calibers have the same size (a diameter of 37mm), almost the same thickness (7mm for the simple one, 7,5mm for the tourbillon one), a huge balance wheel of 16mm et of course, a slow frequency (2,5hz).
The power reserve is around 2 days but without the use of a maltese cross, it would have been over 85 hours.
Please note that the young watchmakers will build their "apprentice watch" from the caliber 770.
The pictured watches hereafter are prototypes. So you may expect some changes in the finishings. But you will get a good idea of the final result.
The watch which features the caliber 770 is a simple 3 hands watch with a small second indicator at 6. The dial is made of silver and brass what gives a nice contrast with the steel hands.
Here comes the caliber 770. Of course, at first glance, you will notice its very specific architecture and the huge balance wheel. You find all the spirit of the old chronometrical calibers.
The steel case of the watch is big and thick. But it is totally in harmony with the caliber.
The watch is very comfortable to wear.
The watch which uses the caliber 781 has a PG case. The hands are also made of gold.
Hopefully, the purity of the dial is kept and you will notice the presence of the tourbillon only with the small indicator above the small second sub-dial. I really like this dial, the shades of light are very nice.
When we turn the watch, we discover the superb tourbillon. It represents almost the half part of the whole caliber!
Again, the watch is very comfortable and we wear it with a lot pleasure.
The beginning of 2009 will be very busy for Karsten ! These 2 watches will be released and FDMN will also participate at the "Concours International De Chronométrie" which is, of course, totally logical due to the Karsten's will to create traditional chronometers.
I would like to thank a lot Karsten for the time he spent with me. Of course, I will come back to you once I get more news from FDMN, about the final versions of the watches and the future projects.
Fr.Xavier
The Fabrication De Montres Normandes (FDMN) at the Salon Belles Montres
Pics from FDMN
I have try this watchs, the big balance wheel is totaly fascinating. But,
