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Quick Take
It goes without saying (despite my saying it) that the Frederique Constant Manufacture collection offers a variety of complicated watches with in-house movements at great value for the money. Here we have the Classic Worldtimer Manufacture in 18k rose gold featuring the in-house FC-718 movement, a limited edition iteration of an existing watch first released in 2012.
This is the first time this watch has been offered in a precious metal, and it features a blue dial with red and white accents, a 24-hour day-night disc, city disc, and date sub-dial. As with previous models, the watch's world-time complication, and all functionality, are operated via the crown. The watch is limited to 88 pieces.
Initial Thoughts
Functionally, if you are familiar with the Frederique Constant Worldtimer, this variant is no different. The raised world map motif on the textured blue dial remains, as does the date counter complication via a subdial at six o'clock, done in a sunray guilloché pattern. The 24-hour day-night wheel is illustrated by the use of red for day, and grey for night, and it corresponds with the cities adorning the city wheel which is done in blue, matching the rest of the dial.
The in-house caliber FC-718 movement inside the watch makes this piece a true world timer. This means that all operations can be set via the oversized crown as opposed to the world-time function being set via a rotating bezel, for example. The crown operation effects a series of small wheels inside the movement which form a gear train allowing for the utilization of each of the watch's complications. Turning the crown clockwise changes the date, while turning the crown counter-clockwise activates the city disc. The city disc is fully integrated into the module of the timepiece.
The world map motif is carved in anthracite grey, which plays nicely against the blue dial. The world timer flange indicates 24 world time zones and their 24 principal cities. The hour and minute hands and index hour markers are filled with luminescent material and are colored in white to allow for legibility against the darker dial beneath. The hands themselves are rose-gold plated. The FC-718 movement is decorated with perlage, which is visible through a sapphire crystal display caseback.
The Frederique Constant Classic Worldtimer Manufacture in Rose Gold is limited to 88 pieces and represents the first use of a gold case in the Worldtimer watch. Coming in at just under $15,000, with its 18k rose gold construction and in-house movement, it still presents a real value proposition. The watch comes fitted on a navy blue alligator leather strap with off-white stitching and is available now.
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The Basics
Brand: Frederique Constant
Model: Classic Worldtimer Manufacture
Reference Number: FC-718NRWM4H9
Diameter: 42mm
Thickness: 12.1mm
Case Material: 18k Rose Gold
Dial Color: Blue
Indexes: Circular markers
Lume: Yes
Water Resistance: 30m
Strap/Bracelet: Leather Strap
The Movement
Caliber: FC-718
Functions: Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Date, World Time
Diameter: 30mm
Thickness: 6.2mm
Power Reserve: 38-hour
Winding: Mechanical self-winding
Frequency: 4Hz
Jewels: 26
Chronometer Certified: No
Pricing & Availability
Price: $14,995
Availability: Immediately
Limited Edition: Yes, 88 pieces
For more, click here.
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