Frederique Constant: Classics Moneta Moonphase

In recent years, watchmaking has experienced a moment of great popularity and has brought together an increasing number of enthusiasts and collectors. This widespread appeal is linked to the emergence of a new landscape of offerings that combine reliability, durability, elegance and history at an affordable price. We are talking about Swatch with its Bioceramic MoonSwatch and Scuba Fifty Fathoms collection, Tissot PRX (Quartz and Powermatic 80), Citizen Tsuyosa (Small Seconds), Seiko 5 Sports and Prospex and many others. Among these successful examples in the “entry level” category, Frederique Constant also stands out. A Swiss brand with exquisitely classic lines that has managed to win over the entire public of enthusiasts. 

“LIVE YOUR PASSION” THE HISTORY OF FREDERIQUE CONSTANT

Frederique Constant was founded in 1988 in Geneva, Switzerland. The maison was born from the ideals and passion of its founders, Peter C. Stas and Aletta Stas Bax, respectively President and Executive Director of the Frédérique Constant Group. The pair of independent entrepreneurs held the dream of creating unique timepieces that could combined tradition, innovation and accessibility. The name Frederique Constant is also the result of a special combination as it merges the names of their great-grandparents: Frédérique Schreiner and Constant Stas. In the brand’s history, 2004 was a decisive year as it marked the launch of their first in-house movement, the FC-910 caliber. This significant milestone allowed Frederique Constant to differentiate itself in terms of quality and performance from its peers. Despite choosing to rely on in-house movements, the maison has remained true to its main objective: offering Swiss Made luxury watches at accessible prices.

In the following years, the brand developed the Classics, Highlife, and Manufacture collections and successfully ventured into creating some of the most prestigious complications in watchmaking, including the tourbillon, perpetual calendar, flyback chronograph, Worldtimer, Power Reserve Big Date, and Monolithic. The entire collection boasts 33 calibers, all designed, developed, and assembled within the manufacture in Plan-les-Ouates.

THE NEW CLASSICS MONETA MOONPHASE

Frederique Constant’s philosophy and savoir-faire continue today with the new Classics Moneta Moonphase. This timepiece embodies all the technical and stylistic elements of traditional watchmaking reinterpreted in a contemporary way to appeal both young enthusiasts and collectors. 

It features an elegant 37mm polished steel case topped with an anti-reflective convex sapphire crystal. The dial comes in three stunning variants: blue, black, or silver, all enhanced by a sunray finish and an unusual rehaut decorated with fluted guilloché, reminiscent of the edge of coins from which the model takes its name. The dial is completed by applied silver indexes and two hand-polished dauphine hands, also in silver.

At six o’clock, we see the quintessential complication of traditional watchmaking: the moon phase, and just below the guilloché detailing, the inscription “Swiss Made”, affirming the Geneva roots of the manufacture.

CONCLUSIONS AND PRICE

The movement inside is the reliable FC-206 (Ronda 706 base) quartz caliber, capable of offering a battery life of up to 60 months (5 years). The watch also comes with a calfskin leather strap featuring a crocodile pattern and tone-on-tone stitching, with colors vary between black, blue, and brown depending on the chosen model. Among its added values, the excellent balance between quality and price is essential to mention. In fact, the price of the new Classics Moneta Moonphase is €1,095 (VAT included).

Considering the cost, the features offered, and its wearability, Frederique Constant’s new entries are set to become excellent companions for novices, enthusiasts and collectors alike.

By Luca Barone