The new Classic Worldtimer Manufacture is a limited edition from the Citizen owned brand and it offers serious bling with that classic Worldtimer dial display. An 18ct gold case is quite rare these days and it has a tactile appeal, as well as the long term value of owning a little piece of gold on your wrist. OK, probably only £300 at scrap value, but you get the drift – gold is gold, the only truly global currency, accepted everywhere, unlike Bitcoin.

One detail we love on this one is the pocket watch style winding crown. 

Here’s the word from FC;

FC say that no more than 88 limited edition timepieces on offer. Such preciousness is rare at Frederique Constant. Incidentally, this is the first time in the history of the Manufacture that such a case has been offered for this timepiece.

For this latest version, Frederique Constant has opted for an intense blue dial reminiscent of the ocean and in keeping with the distinguished rose gold case. The continents emerge from the dial in relief, their anthracite grey outlines carved with the greatest precision.

The date counter at 6 o’clock is decorated with a sunray guilloché pattern, a traditional finish in Fine Watchmaking. Hovering over it are four hands coordinating with the rose gold; the hour and minute hands and index hour markers are tinged with luminescent material to make them easier to read in low light.

Around this miniature world map unfolds the Worldtimer flange, indicating the 24 world time zones and their 24 principal cities. To ensure the dial can be easily read, the 12 daytime hours appear in red, while the 12 night-time hours appear in grey.

The ease of setting and using Frederique Constant timepieces is intrinsic to the Brand. All the features of the Classic Worldtimer Manufacture can be adjusted using the crown, (hours, minutes, date, Worldtimer) eliminating the need for push buttons that could detract from its sleek 42 mm case.

As for all Frederique Constant Manufacture collection timepieces, the FC-718 movement in the new Classic Worldtimer Manufacture has been decorated with fine perlage decoration visible through a sapphire crystal caseback that is guaranteed water-resistant to 3 ATM. The informed observer will admire the blued screws in the movement and the rose gold-plated hollowed-out oscillating weight adorned with vertical satin-finishing and “Frederique Constant Manufacture” engraving.

Worth Collecting?

The price of all this technology and exclusivity is suitably refreshing at just under 15K US dollars. But are there better ways to spend about £12,000 in the watch market?

Definitely, because the long term collector value of any FC is always going to be less than a Rolex GMT, Submariner, any Patek, AP Royal Oak, even some Jaeger le Coultre models. In fact we will go further and recommend you buy a vintage Heuer Autavia or Carrera for about six grand and spend the rest on a Tudor Black Bay for everyday use.