A month ago, I have published the press release of the Frederique Constant Classic Worldtimer Manufacture, a beautiful timepiece with an in-house movement. I like it, so I asked Frederique Constant for a press loan to have a closer look. This is my review with a generous image gallery. Enjoy!
Frederique Constant Classic Worldtimer Manufacture Review
I was conquered by Frederique Constant new worldtimer. I was curious to have it in my hands, especially since it is equipped with one of the brand’s in-house calibres. They were kind to send me Reference FC-718DGWM4H6 over the weekend. So I used the time to make a big image gallery (available at the end of the article).
I will start with the presentation video:
A recognisable Frederique Constant style
For those familiar with the brand, the Classic Worldtimer Manufacture will have all the known elements: a signature design and an excellent price. The new Worldtimer variation completes the Classic family (especially since some models are sold out).
The 42mm steel case has a 3-parts construction with a round, convex bezel, a corpulent body and a screw-in case back. On the top, the watch is fitted with a convex crystal. The caseback displays, unobstructed, the manufacture calibre.
The watch body is completed with curved lugs with rounded edges. The voluptuous piece sits nicely on the wrist and offers comfortable wear. But don’t underestimate the curves, the Worldtimer is a rather elegant watch.
The brand’s signature onion crown gives a certain charm. The crown offers a good grip, even if it is slightly sunken into the case body. The overall case design is balanced, well proportioned.
The high polished and rounded surfaces reflect the environment with an interesting distortion. Every time I had a look at the watch, I caught myself studying the reflections.
The watch is fitted with an alligator strap and a beautiful clasp. The buckle is designed around the Frederique Constant logo.
A dial that bears an entire world
At first look, the dial seems to be a bit busy. But only due to the amount of information available. After I got familiar with the watch’s face and functionality, I found it quite aired and easily readable.
The dark grey design of the world map finely etched onto the sunray dial fill delicately the middle area. Without this detail, the watch will be too busy on the exterior side. The brand’s name is printed on an embossed plate.
The applied round hour indexes are filled with SuperLuminova, offering good low light visibility. Together with the polished hands, with white luminous treatment, the time legibility is excellent. In the gallery are available three examples in different lights.
The time display dial disc is decorated on the edge with a stamped guilloche style pattern. A lovely detail.
The Classic Worldtimer Manufacture is decorated with an outer rim displaying twenty-four cities. A second disc features a 24h day-night indicator.
The date is indicated via a small hand and a sub-dial placed at 6 o’clock. For the date indication, Frederique Constant invested a lot of attention: a nice guilloche sun-ray pattern, printed numerals and indexes, plus an exterior stamped ring.
The 24 hours worldtimer disc rotates conterclockwise.
Manufacture Calibre FC-718
For the Classic Worldtimer Manufacture, Frederique Constant used the in-house calibre FC-718. I have to admit, the movement exceeded my expectations.
In the image gallery are available several close-ups with the manufacture movement.
Calibre FC-718 is nicely decorated. Even if the decorations are industrial executed, the brand made sure that the view of the movement is great.
The mainplate is decorated with a Perlage. The same decoration, with a smaller radius, is also used for the area below the balance wheel. The top bridge is adorned with a circular Côtes de Genève, and gilded engravings. The visible screws are blued.
The gold plated rotor is vertically brushed. The name of the brand is present into a positive engraving, along with the “Manufacture” nomenclature – a proud certification of the in-house movement.
On the technical side, the FC-718 has a 4Hz balance wheel and a power reserve of 38 hours.
Final words
Frederique Constant Classic Worldtimer Manufacture is a beautiful watch. The worldtimer function is extremely useful for someone travelling often or that needs to know, by a fast look, what is the time around the world. Having friends all over the globe, the watch gave me a good hint about the time of day in the Middle and the Far East, Canada, the US and so on. For those having business partners all over, it is almost a must-have.
The watch is relative heavy but is not tiresome. Those used to wearing mechanical watches daily will find it as a familiar weight on the wrist. The Classic Worldtimer Manufacture is easy to use and set. Have a look at the hands-on video from the article’s beginning. The timezones changing has a distinct, relative loud sound – I find it very amusing (I have to admit that I played with that quite a lot). Setting the watch on the wrist is possible but not as comfortable as setting off-the-wrist.
For the price, Frederique Constant offers a manufacture (in-house) calibre excellently decorated. As mentioned, I was impressed by the quality of the finishes. Classic Worldtimer Manufacture is a good-looking allrounder.
Check here the Frederique Constant Manufacture Collection – men watches highlights or the latest ladies pieces: Frederique Constant releases two new Classics Carrée Ladies timepieces.
Frederique Constant Classic Worldtimer Manufacture Technical Specifications
Classic Worldtimer Manufacture Reference FC-718DGWM4H6
Case
- Polished stainless steel 3-parts case
- 42mm diameter
- Convex sapphire crystal
- See-through case back
- Water-resistant up to 5 ATM
Movement
- FC-718 automatic Manufacture calibre with date and worldtimer function adjustable by the crown
- Perlage & circular Côtes de Genève decoration on the movement
- 26 jewels, 38 hours power reserve, 28’800 alt/h
Dial
- Dark grey color dial with world map in the center and luminous indexes
- Hand polished silver color hands with white luminous treatment
- Date counter at 6 o’clock
- 24H disc with day-night indication
- City disc with 24 cities
Bracelet
- Dark grey alligator strap with white stitches
Functions
- Hours, minutes, seconds, date by hand, worldtimer function
Limited edition xxx/718
Watch price: 3’495 CHF / 3’495 EUR
Frederique Constant Classic Worldtimer Manufacture Gallery
