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Frederique Constant Refines the Worldtimer Manufacture

Cleaner and more compact.

Known for its value-oriented timepieces, Frederique Constant partnered Swiss crowdfunding specialist Watch Angels to reimagine the Worldtimer Manufacture. Now in a 40 mm format with a cleaner aesthetic, the limited-edition of 718 pieces will only be available for purchase through Watch Angels’ online shop via a pre-order.

Initial thoughts

Frederique Constant has some interesting and accessible models, ranging from perpetual calendars to tourbillons and even a flexural pivot monolithic oscillator. The Geneva-based brand is mostly a player in the under-CHF5,000 segment, with a focus on in-house engineering. This latest iteration of the Worldtimer Manufacture is a good example of Frederique Constant’s approach to blending appealing designs with in-house mechanics, while keeping the price accessible.

This new release builds on the successful Classic Worldtimer Manufacture collection, but with a streamlined design and reduced case size. It looks like Watch Angels took the lead with the design, opting for a clean layout, strong blue hues and sharp case lines. In contrast to the original that has a fussy design with a world map dial, the new version is functional but still elegantly detailed.

The reduced case size, cleaner dial, and sharp finishing make this a compelling worldtime complication timepiece. Furthermore, the limited edition costs virtually the same as the regular production model, making this collaboration very appealing.

More broadly, the partnership between Frederique Constant and Watch Angels underscores a growing trend toward community-driven watchmaking – which has the upside of the maker obtaining working capital in advance – something that has been gaining traction around the world, but not so much in Switzerland.

A redesigned dial

One of the most notable changes in this new Worldtimer is the dial. The three-piece dial has been reworked to improve readability and features an inclined city ring that draws the eye towards the central handset. The watch face feels three-dimensional, with the substantial applied indices and a slightly concave surface.

Compared to the standard model, this version omits the world map decoration and pointer date display at six o’clock, making the fussy dial more legible and somewhat more balanced.

The 24-hour world time disc incorporates a two-tone day/night indicator in different shades of blue — which fails a little at differentiating between night and day, since the two shades are not very different. A nice touch is the polished gold sun emblem (representing daytime hours) and the sandblasted silver moon for nighttime. These details are both functional and aesthetically appealing, contributing to the dial’s three-dimensionality.

The 40 mm steel case has simple, classical lines which work well with the dial. The sides of the case are brushed, while the rounded bezel is polished. Both the top and under sides of the lugs are thickly bevelled, putting a nice twist on the conservative shape of the case.

Manufacture movement

Inside the case of this limited edition model lies the FC-718 automatic. The limited edition of 718 pieces is a nod to the movement. Derived from Frederique Constant’s in-house base movement, the FC-718 is fitted with a traditional, Cottier-style world time function that is fully adjustable solely through the crown.

The movement beats at 4 Hz and offers a 38-hour power reserve, which is rather short by the industry’s standard. The caliber is decorated with circular Geneva waves, perlage and blued screws, by machine naturally given the price. Apart from the world time complication, the caliber is basic, but more appealing than similar ETA or Sellita movements in terms of aesthetics.

“Subscription” model

The Watch Angels edition is a limited run of 718 pieces, exclusively available through a subscription model. The pre-order window opens on February 13, 2025, with a price of CHF3,990. The retail price will subsequently rise to CHF4,490.