Frederique Constant has introduced the Classic Worldtimer Manufacture in forest green. This is the fourth colour for this watch. The other colour versions include daytime white, nighttime black, and ocean blue. The forest green version is available in a stainless steel case, limited to 718 pieces, and an 18K rose gold case, limited to 36 pieces.
Left: Daytime white. Middle: Nighttime black. Right: Ocean blue.
Frederique Constant Group comprises of Frederique Constant, Alpina Watches and Ateliers DeMonaco, and is part of Japan’s Citizen Group since 2016.
Key features of the Classic Worldtimer Manufacture
Functions and Operation
Image: Stainless steel version. Header image is 18K rose gold version.
Central hours, minutes, and seconds.
Date indicated by hand on subdial at 6 o’clock.
24-hour disc, indicating time with a day and night indicator.
24 time-zone world time function indicated by a city disc.
All functions operated by crown at 3 o’clock.
Crown pushed in – wind the watch.
Crown pulled out 1st position – set the date by rotating crown upwards and set the city disc (aligning it with local time with midday position at 12 o’clock) by rotating it downwards.
Crown pulled out 2nd position – set central hours and minutes. The 24-hour disc adjusts automatically.
Movement
Powered by in-house automatic calibre FC-718.
Drives the central hours, minutes, seconds, date, 24-hour disc, and world time function.
Jewels 26. Frequency 28,800 vph or 4 Hz. Power reserve 38 hours.
Movement finishing includes Perlage and circular Côtes de Genève decorations.
18K rose gold version
Dial
Khaki and silver colour inner dial embossed with the world map.
Hour and minute hands are rose gold-plated, hand polished, and filled with white luminescent material. Seconds hand is rose gold-plated and hand polished. 9 applied rose gold-plated round hour-markers filled with white luminescent material. Minute scale, graduated in increments of 5 minutes each.
Khaki colour date subdial at 6 o’clock featuring a sunburst guilloché pattern. Date hand is rose gold-plated and hand polished.
24-hour disc encircles inner dial. Day is indicated in silver and night is indicated in khaki.
White 24 time zone city-disc encircles the 24-hour disc. Full names are used for the cities.
Case, Strap, and Buckle
3-part case made from polished 18K rose gold.
Diameter 42 mm. Height 12.15 mm.
Dial side features a convex sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment.
Threaded caseback features engravings and a sapphire crystal.
Water resistant up to 3 ATM / 30 Metres / 100 feet.
Watch comes with a dark green alligator leather strap with off-white stitching. Attached to a folding buckle.
Stainless steel version
Dial
Khaki and silver colour inner dial embossed with the world map.
Hour and minute hands are silver, hand polished, and filled with white luminescent material. Seconds hand is silver and hand polished. 9 applied silver round hour-markers filled with white luminescent material. Minute scale, graduated in increments of 5 minutes each.
Khaki colour date subdial at 6 o’clock featuring a sunburst guilloché pattern. Date hand is silver and hand polished.
24-hour disc encircles inner dial. Day is indicated in silver and night is indicated in khaki.
White 24 time zone city-disc encircles the 24-hour disc. Full names are used for the cities.
Case, Strap, and Buckle
3-part case made from polished stainless steel.
Diameter 42 mm. Height 12.15 mm.
Dial side features a convex sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment.
Threaded caseback features engravings and a sapphire crystal.
Water resistant up to 3 ATM / 30 Metres / 100 feet.
Watch comes with a dark green alligator leather strap with off-white stitching. Attached to a folding buckle.
Our Thoughts
The world time complication evokes images of a life full of travel. A glance at the city disc (or country disc, depending on the specific watch and brand), and one is immediately transported to an airport, on an airplane, and in a hotel or cafe in a far-away land. I personally love it. As a complication, it is very common, and several watch brands across the spectrum, have one in their catalogue. Patek Philippe is historically famous for the world time complication.
Frederique Constant’s aim is to provide “Swiss made luxury watches at fair prices.” As such, their interpretation of the world time watch – Classic Worldtimer Manufacture – is excellent. In addition to the world time function, it features a central seconds hand and a date indication, the latter very useful for world travellers. All this powered by an in-house movement.
Image: Stainless steel version.
My personal favourite is the stainless steel version. At a Euro 4,395 recommended retail price, it is a steal for the abundance of dial and case details and horology one is getting. For those who love the world time complication, or who need to know the time elsewhere (global entrepreneurs and investment bankers for example), or those who travel a lot, Frederique Constant’s Classic Worldtimer Manufacture is a must have in their collection.
Additional Details
Name: Frederique Constant Classic Worldtimer Manufacture
Reference: FC-718KWWM4H9 (18K rose gold version)
Price: Euro (EUR): 18,995 – Recommended Retail Price
Limited to 36 pieces.
Name: Frederique Constant Classic Worldtimer Manufacture
Reference: FC-718KWM4H6 (stainless steel version)
Price: Euro (EUR): 4,395 – Recommended Retail Price
Limited to 718 pieces.
Available at Frederique Constant Points of Sale, about 3000 in 120 countries. In Dubai, Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons is an Authorised Retailer for the brand.
Please visit the brand’s website and Instagram page for more information.
Recently we covered the brand’s Classics Moneta Moonphase, an affordable dress watch powered by a quartz movement. Read here.
These are beautiful! Quite tempted to buy the steel world timer.
Patek Philippe after years decided to include a date in its WT early this year. Whereas FC has a date, and just look at the price for the steel one. It is a very well thought out and executed watch. Not one of those brands that just slaps a WT module on a Sellita.
Exactly!