A Connected Strap

When Alpina, Frederique Constant and Mondaine collectively released their first connected watch a few years ago in San Francisco, it was an interesting product that offered connectivity to a more traditional watch design.  Now what many of us have been waiting for is a connected option that will allow us to wear our favorite watches and have some connected features.

Courtesy of MMT

Unfortunately, this one is not quite there yet. 

Yes, the new E-Strap is reported to offer the same features of the MMT supplied connected watches - and that is good, don't get me wrong.  But like all first series products, it is not quite yet what many of us are waiting for.

And perhaps my single biggest issue would be that it has a reported power life of 7 days.  And then...
you need to recharge it. 

Now I would also take pains to say that I have not personally seen, tried or used this on an extended basis and it might just be the shit that killed Elvis, so I look forward to hearing from early adapters, other bloggers, or if MMT wants to offer me a "test drive" I will be happy to give an unvarnished opinion ; )

But here is the release information in its entirety -

E-Strap: Make Any Watch Smart

Courtesy of MMT

Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva – MMT launches its new high-tech marvel,

the “E-Strap”, and offers product OEM to watch manufacturers.

MMT E-Strap is a patented smart buckle and strap that fits on any watch. Hence our slogan: Make Any Watch Smart. Built by the watch industry experts that created the Horological Smartwatch, MMT’s E-Strap is a logical next step to add smart functionality to existing watches. The ultra-small buckle extension can hardly be seen, as it is thin and covered by the leather strap. Make no mistake however, the MMT E-Strap is built on the full MMT Smartwatch Platform and has its sophisticated functionality. The MMT Platform is the only proven and tested solution with +70’000 modules sold. The same MMT-365 Apps that accompany Horological Smartwatches is available to MMT E-Strap customers. MMT E-Straps track ACTIVITY with GET ACTIVE ALERTS as well as MONITOR SLEEP with SMART SLEEP ALARMS. 

Most importantly, MMT E-Straps are available for US$ 199-249, which includes beautiful leather straps in a variety of materials and colors.

Since the introduction of the Horological Smartwatch in 2015, MMT has been gaining real world customer feedback on smartwatch functions. Our customers have told us that the primary smart features they desire are fitness and health based. We can see other smartwatch manufacturers starting to see that ACTIVITY and SLEEP are the killer apps of smart sensors worn on the body. Such sensors only measure accurately when close to the wearer’s body.

At the same time, we have had plenty of people telling us they hate the silicon fitness bands. Especially Europeans refuse these fitness bands as they consider them ugly and unfashionable. People do not want to be seen with them. Neither do they want to replace their luxury watches with plastic or otherwise less luxurious smartwatches. So, what to do with all these requests to add smart features to existing watches?

Enter the MMT E-Strap. Straps determine the look and feel of a person’s timepiece. Brands offer a variety of leathers and finishes. Typically, watch straps last one to two years if regularly worn. After a watch strap has aged due to wear & tear it needs to be replaced. Then, MMT offers a replacement strap that is Smart, enabling a whole new experience to for the user. A beautiful strap and buckle combination connected to the MMT-365 smartphone apps tracking Activity and monitoring Sleep with all accompanying alerts, alarms and dynamic coaching.

Features of the E-Strap

Activity Tracking: Keep track of daily steps, calories burnt, and distance.

Sleep Monitoring: Wear the E-Strap at night or put it under the pillow to record the sleep pattern. A sleep tracking function provides details on how much time you spent in deep sleep, light sleep, or awake.

Sleep Cycle Alarm: Set a smart sleep alarm that will help you to wake up at the best appropriate time in your sleep cycle so that you wake up refreshed.

Get-Active Alerts: Set an alert to remind you to move if you’ve been idle for a set amount of time; you can customize your Get Active Alerts directly through the MMT-365 app.

Dynamic Coaching: Receive suggestions, tips, and information catered specifically to you based on your activity and sleep goals.

Cloud back-up and restore: Recover all of your data, even if you lose your E-Strap or phone. The E-Strap independently stores your activity and sleep for 30 days without having to synchronize it to your smartphone. A great way to collect and keep your data on-the-go!

Autonomy: 7 days (rechargeable battery)

Water-resistant: 3ATM/30M

About MMT

Manufacture Modules Technologies Sarl. is the Swiss company established in Geneva in 2015 for the development and commercialization of Horological Smartwatch modules, firmware, apps and cloud. MMT offers a tightly integrated End-to-End Solution for Horological Smartwatches: Firmware, iOS and Android Apps, Cloud, OTA, Manufacturing and Service Applications. MMT modules have been implemented by brands such as Frederique Constant, Movado, Mondaine, Ferragamo and Alpina. The company has a production of over 70’000 modules.

A manufacture watch - Frederique Constant

It is hard not to be romantic about watches - I realize I am on theme here, but it's hard not to be romantic about it.

I had time to meet with the folks from Frederique Constant in Las Vegas.  Luxury is something that you don't necessarily need.  Luxury is not defined by the number of zeros on the price tag.  Luxury, at least when it is real, luxury represents something special, something that you can live without, but that you will be happier living with.  

A truly amazing cup of coffee in a world of Nescafe swill - that is a luxury.  A beautiful pair of Alden shoes in a world of Nikes - that is a luxury.  A watch company that has its own movement - one expressly designed and produced for its own watch lines - that is luxury.  But who ever said that it should cost 2 - 3 month's salary of a normal person?  We all want something better - don't we?  And it doesn't have to ask you to chose between funding your retirement, or having a beautiful timekeeper.  Does it?

Luxury is not always about the price tag, and I thank Frederique Constant for reminding me of this.  Luxury is having the time to read a book.  Luxury is being able to enjoy time with your family and friends.  

Courtesy of Frederique Constant

So here it is - direct from the source -

Frederique Constant has been developing and producing its in-house Manufacture Calibers since 2001.  The first caliber was the Heart Beat Manufacture, cal. FC-910 with its iconic aperture in the dial and main plate at 6 o'clock position.  Newer versions of the Heart Beat Manufacture included various complications, a silicium (silicon) escapement wheel, and even an in-house Tourbillon.

Development of the second base caliber by Frederique Constant started in 2008.  The design and development briefing for this second base caliber was very straight forward: redevelop all components and search to reduce cost of manufacturing with 30%, while at least maintaining the same high quality level of the Heart Beat Manufacture calibers.  As a result, the Maxime Manufacture (cal. FC-700) was born.  Frederique Constant realized significant economies of scale with this caliber.  In line with our Accessible Luxury philosophy, these cost-savings were transferred to the final consumer, by offering these Frederique Constant Manufacture timepieces at unbeatable retail prices.

Courtesy of Frederique Constant

This year, Frederique Constant is proud and excited to introduce the new Classics Manufacture, with a retail price starting at €1’750 in stainless steel.  Designed and produced with utmost care, the sophisticated dial shows a remarkable refinement.  Decoration of the movement is to the highest standards, with Cotes de Geneve and Collimacon patterns, brightly shining due to the rhodium finishing.  The new Classics Manufacture is based on the second generation of the Maxime movement, cal. FC-710 and features an added center seconds hand.  Apart from stainless steel, the Classics Manufacture is also available with a case finished in rose gold plating, at €1’950. A duo of stunningly beautiful timepieces!

History Frederique Constant Manufacture Calibers

In 2001, Frederique Constant launched the development of its first manufacture caliber in close collaboration with the École d'Horlogerie de Genève, the École d'Ingenieurs de Genève and the Horloge Vakschool Zadkine, Netherlands.  The Heart Beat Manufacture has the characteristic bridge for the balance wheel on the front side of the caliber, which made it possible to have the spiral and fine regulation on the front side as well, creating a much more appealing Heart Beat design. This construction was new - allowing Frederique Constant to obtain a patent.

In 2008, Frederique Constant introduced its first Tourbillon Manufacture movement with Silicium (Silicon) Escapement Wheel.  There are three main advantages compared to a regular escapement wheel:

       - No oiling necessary

       - Ultra smooth surface

       - Weight 1/5th of steel

As a result, the Frederique Constant Tourbillon has an amplitude of over 300 degrees in dial-up and dial-down positions.  Even in the crown-down position, the amplitude is over 275 degrees, which is substantially more than the performance of other high-end tourbillons.

In 2009, Frederique Constant launched a new in-house base caliber (FC-700).  Component rationalization and assembly efficiency were the top priorities for the development of this caliber. Result was an overall 30% cost saving compared with the earlier Heart Beat Manufacture caliber. Various new technologies were incorporated.  For the first time, a Swiss watch manufacturer introduced a watch with a manufacture caliber below €2’000 retail.

Courtesy of Frederique Constant

Frederique Constant Factory 

The Frederique Constant production facility in Geneva measures 3'200 square meters, divided over four floors, offering an attractive working environment in the sectors of caliber component production, caliber assembly, watch assembly, and extensive quality control.  Numerically controlled machines of the latest generation are located in a large atelier in the basement, where all component manufacturing is concentrated.  Caliber and watch assembly, as well as state-of-the-art quality control is primarily organized on the first floor of the Frederique Constant building.  The building also serves as the brand's international headquarters.

www.frederique-constant.com