Taking A Spin Around The World With Frederique Constant’s WorldTimer
5 min read
Elegant, easy to operate, and accessible to all, Frederique Constant’s Worldtimer series is a must-have for many watch aficionados. Here’s why!
World timers, as we know, have always been the epitome of inaccessible luxury. It is one of the most collectible and expensive vintage complication watches in the world. So when Frederique Constant unveiled its very accessible and visually stunning Classic Worldtimer Manufacture timepiece to the world back in 2012, the watch industry took to it with open arms.
What Makes The Frederique Constant Classic Worldtimer Manufacture So Popular?
Offering an immense value proposition for an expensive complication, the Frederique Constant Classic Worldtimer Manufacture made its way into the wrists of aspiring collectors and watch enthusiasts alike.
Since its inception in 1988, Frederique Constant has chosen not to restrict its watches to a small circle of connoisseurs, but to make it available to a much broader audience of watch lovers. Their goal has been to offer high-quality Swiss watches at accessible prices. Their extensive range of Classic Worldtimer watches did just that. Equipped with the renowned FC-718 Worldtimer caliber, a part of the almost 30 in-house calibers the brand now produces, the Classics Worldtimer Manufacture models have become one of the Maison’s bestsellers with a large number of limited editions sold all over the world.
It is more affordable than most worldtimers on the market with a starting price of INR 3,78,000 approx. in steel. Apart from the very accessible price point, the collection is offered in an extensive variety of coloured dials like grey, black, and green. Since the arrival of the very first edition in 2012, the brand has also continuously added to the collection with new and improved iterations. Its immense popularity and success also led to the brand celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Classic Worldtimer Manufacture collection with two exclusive limited editions in 18-carat pink gold (limited to 88 pieces) and steel (limited to just 1,888 pieces). Additionally, the 10-year anniversary of the collection was commemorated with the release of an NFT.
In terms of design, all the models belong to the brand’s Classic category. This means that each timepiece is designed in the classic and elegant mould featuring a traditional case structure, elegant aesthetics in terms of an onion-shaped crown and curved lugs, and an impressive dial layout that won the hearts of many at first glance.
Presenting a worldtimer complication layout with 24 time zones on a dial is a rather complicated and messy ordeal. However, Frederique Constant makes it simple by taking a traditional approach and placing the different cities on the edge of the dial. This allows the wearer to not get distracted and stay focused on checking the local time. Intended for exploration and travel, the beauty of the Classic Worldtimer Manufacture timepiece was the focus on being an easy read, despite the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
The Evolution of The Worldtimer Complication Within The Brand
With a spectacular range of different editions developed across a span of more than ten years, the worldtimer compilation took a massive step within the brand with the release of a special worldtimer edition as part of the sporty Highlife series.
Inspired by the original 1999 timepiece, Frederique Constant revived their Highlife collection in 2020. The collection features modern and sporty chic timepieces which have turned into a huge success in just two years. It is home to a multitude of complicated timepieces like the Automatic COSC, a Highlife Perpetual Calendar Manufacture, the Skeleton, a Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar, and finally a chronograph edition. This year, for the 35th anniversary of the Swiss watch brand, the Highlife collection has expanded with the all-new Highlife Worldtimer, fully equipped with a contemporary soul and modern aesthetics.
The 2023 Frederique Constant Highlife Worldtimer is available in three versions; one 18k rose gold (limited to 35 pieces) and two steel models with a chocolate brown dial and blue dial. Thanks to its tonneau-shaped case and integrated (and interchangeable) bracelet, the watch carves a worthy place in the house of the sporty Highlife collection. Powered by the classic world timer calibre FC-718, the new Highlife editions clock in a power reserve of 38 hours and beats at a 4 Hz frequency.
An epitome of simplicity, the movement showcases all indications via the crown, courtesy of an ingenious three-notch system. The first one is for winding the watch, the second is used to set the date (going upwards) and the reference city (going downwards) and finally the third sets the time present at the centre of the dial. It is decorated with circular Geneva stripes, perlage, blued screws, and a large gold-coloured openworked rotor.
Are you ready to take a trip around the world with this timepiece on your wrist?
