Last month, we were given word that the entirety of the Frederique Constant Classics lineup was getting a bit of a freshening up. Across the line, these are clean and competent pieces. However, for me, there was just one that jumped out and made me take notice – the Frederique Constant Classics Quartz GMT.
Now, long-time readers will know that I’m a big fan of a GMT watch. Which, in some regards, is a bit absurd. While I travelled occasionally, it’s not like I was some business jet setter. And of course, over the last year, I’ve not gone more than a single time zone away, and that was by car. So, whither the GMT? For one, I still just like it, as it’s a handy indicator of whether the watch is in the first 12 or second 12 hours (handing when setting a mechanical). Secondly, at work, our servers keep themselves on UTC time. So, a watch like this can help me to translate the server logs when I need to look at them.
Whatever the reason, it’s a handy complication to have, and one that shouldn’t add a tremendous amount to your servicing costs (I mean, it’s another gear, not a whole seperate module, basically). And, like a date window, you may not always need it, but you’ll appreciate it when it’s there. From my experience with prior FC watches, the case, dial, and handset all say to me, very much, that this is a Frederique Constant watch. It’s well-sorted, legible, and gives a subtle elegance to things.
Now, these are indeed powered by a quartz movement, but that’s no need to resort to hand-wringing. In fact, it helps keep the costs down, which is something we’ve seen rising over the past few years with their mechanical movements. The 40mm case should fit a variety of wrists, and the overall styling lends itself well to the office as well as dressier occasions, particularly on the steel bracelet. The leather straps, on the other hand, helps to get things a little more casual.
Interestingly enough, the Frederique Constant Classics Quartz GMT does NOT appear on the US site for whatever reason. It is there on the global site, so that’s what we’ve linked at the end of the article. That site lists things at 790 CHF, which is about $850. A little spendy for a quartz, but it’s what we have for entry level from FC (if you want sportier, go for stablemate Alpina) these days. For me, I rather like the look (blue dial all the way), and certainly wounldn’t – as John puts it – kick it out of bed for eating crackers. frederiqueconstant.com
Tech Specs from Frederique Constant
- MOVEMENT
- FC-252 CALIBER, QUARTZ
- 1 JEWELS, 45 MONTHS BATTERY LIFE
- CASE
- POLISHED STAINLESS STEEL 2-PART CASE
- DIAMETER OF 40 MM
- CONVEX SAPPHIRE CRYSTAL
- WATER-RESISTANT UP TO 5 ATM
- DIAL
- NAVY BLUE OR DARK GREY OR SILVER DIAL SUNRAY DECORATION, APPLIED SILVER INDEXES
- HAND-POLISHED SILVER HANDS WITH WHITE LUMINOUS TREATMENT
- DATE WINDOW AT 3 O’CLOCK
- FUNCTIONS: HOURS, MINUTES, DATE, GMT
- STRAP
- NAVY BLUE LEATHER STRAP WITH NUBUCK FINISHING AND OFF-WHITE STITCHING OR
- BROWN LEATHER WITH OFF-WHITE STITCHING OR
- STAINLESS STEEL BRACELET
