Frederique Constant introduces an affordable dress watch
The Classics Moneta Moonphase is available in three dial versions. It features a 37 mm case and is powered by a quartz movement.
Frederique Constant has introduced the Classics Moneta Moonphase, a two-hander watch featuring a moonphase. It is available in three dial options: Black, Navy blue and Silver. Its 37 mm case is made of stainless steel and is powered by a quartz movement.
Frederique Constant Group, comprising of Frederique Constant, Alpina Watches and Ateliers DeMonaco, is part of Japan’s Citizen Group since 2016.
Key Features
Functions and Operations
Navy blue dial version.
The Classics Moneta Moonphase functions and operations include:
– Central hours and minutes.
– Moonphase at 6 o’clock.
– The crown at 3 o’clock is for setting the time and moonphase.
Dial
From Left: Black dial, Navy blue dial, and Silver dial. Each with a sunray finish.
The Classics Moneta Moonphase dial versions and features include:
– The three dial versions include Black with a sunray finish, Navy blue with sunray finish, and Silver with sunray finish. Apart from these, other dial details are the same.
– The dauphine-shaped hour and minute hands are hand polished and silver coloured.
– The 12 dauphine-shaped hour-markers are silver coloured and applied on the dial.
– The outer dial features a flange or “coin-edge inner ring”.
“The ‘Moneta’ name is a nod to the flange of the timepiece, which features a delicately grooved guilloche pattern reminiscent of the edge of a coin.”
– The moonphase indicator is located behind the circular guilloche cut-out (same colour as its respective dial) at 6 o’clock. The moonphase indicator on each dial version has a blue background with a silver moon and stars.
Case and Bracelet
From Left: Close-up of case and dial details of Navy blue dial version. The dark brown calf leather strap of the Silver dial version. Side profile of Black dial version. Closed caseback.
The Classics Moneta Moonphase case and bracelet versions include:
– Its 3-part case is made of polished stainless steel.
– It has a case diameter of 37 mm and case thickness of 7.65 mm.
– Its lug width is 18 mm.
– Its dial side has a convex sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment.
– Its solid caseback is screwed onto the main case.
– It is water resistant up to 5 ATM / 50 metres / 164 feet.
– The black dial version comes with a black calf leather strap embossed with a crocodile pattern and tone-on-tone stitching.
– The blue dial version comes with a navy blue calf leather strap embossed with a crocodile pattern and tone-on-tone stitching.
– The silver dial version comes with a dark brown calf leather strap embossed with a crocodile pattern and tone-on-tone stitching.
– Each strap version features a pin buckle.
Movement
The Classics Moneta Moonphase’s movement features include:
– It is powered by Caliber FC-206 (Ronda 706 base), a quartz movement that drives the hours, minutes, and moonphase.
– It has 5 jewels.
– It has a battery life of 60 months or 5 years.
Our Thoughts
Based on images and supporting information, my first impressions of Frederique Constant’s Classics Moneta Moonphase are incredibly positive. I love classical dress watches, a category that is making a comeback. Dress watches do not have to be haute horology and exorbitantly priced.
The Classics Moneta Moonphase includes key attributes of a classic dress watch, such as its slender 37 mm case diameter and 7.65 mm case thickness, dauphine-shaped hands and hour markers, moonphase, and genuine leather straps. The absence of a second’s hand is a cool feature; no one needs to know that is it a quartz watch.
All this in a Euro 1,095 timepiece! Frederique Constant is renowned for innovation, and often the execution and quality of their watches punches well above their retail prices. I know a few collectors who have bought their perpetual calendars and tourbillons and were amazed.
The Classics Moneta Moonphase will appeal to those who are not typical collectors and need a dress watch, often a necessary uniform in career and social settings. It will also appeal to serious collectors who want a high-quality attractive dress watch, that can suit their needs (and moods) during those times they don’t want to wear their expensive precious metal haute horology watches. A great watch to have regardless of where one is in their collecting journey. I believe Frederique Constant has a winner on their hands.
My personal favourite is the Navy blue dial version. I would be happy to own this.
Additional Details
Name: Frederique Constant Classics Moneta Moonphase
Reference:
FC-206B3S6 – Black dial version
FC-206N3S6 – Blue dial version
FC-206S3S6 – Silver dial version
Price: Euro (EUR): 1,095 – Recommended Retail Price.
Available at Frederique Constant Points of Sale, about 3000 in 120 countries. In Dubai, Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons is an Authorised Dealer for the brand.
Please visit the brand’s website for more information.
Alpina Watches, owned by the Frederique Constant Group, recently introduced the Heritage Automatic in two dial versions, powered by a Sellita automatic movement and priced at Swiss Franc (CHF) 1,695. These are also worth a look for those seeking an attractive and affordable dress watch.
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