While around for just a fraction as long as most of its competitors, 34-year-old Swiss luxury watchmaker Frederique Constant has firmly established itself as a brand that punches well above its weight. From its knack for crafting affordable complicated movements in-house to its groundbreaking Monolithic escapement, FC has a way of holding our attention. And that’s certainly true with the brand’s latest release.
Since debuting in 2012, Frederique Constant’s Classics Worldtimer Manufacture has proven to be one of the Maison’s most popular models. Featuring an in-house worldtime complication and a decidedly handsome dial layout, FC’s Worldtimer has spent the past decade as one of the most affordable and desirable watches to feature the complication on the market. Now, to celebrate ten years of the watch, FC is launching two limited-edition versions of the Classics Worldtimer Manufacture.
Frederique Constant did not throw the baby out with the bathwater with these new watches — these are still the Worldtimers we know and love. What they did do is outfit them with beautiful new deep blue dials that feature a white inner bezel for the cities of the world. By switching to this bi-color dial layout in place of the previous versions’ monochromatic look, FC has increased the visibility and sportiness of the watch — and we’re definitely digging the result.
The watches retain their FC-718 automatic caliber, decorated with Geneva striping and visible through the sapphire case back of the 42mm case. A stainless steel version of the 10th Anniversary Worldtimer, limited to 1,888 pieces, is priced at $4,495. Another more exclusive version in 18K pink gold is limited to just 88 examples and is priced at $18,995. Both watches are sold on blue alligator leather straps and are available now.
