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For those that know watches, the words ‘clean’ and ‘worldtimer’ never appear in the same conversation – Until now! In collaboration with the horological crowdfunding company WatchAngels, Frederique Constant’s new watch turns a complex display into a sleek and elegant dress piece.

‘Underrated’ has to be one of the most overused words in the modern watch community. It’s refreshing to hear about the occasional underdog success story, but the volume of so-called ‘underrated’ watches turn these stories from inspiring to contrived. At this point, it applies to generic Swiss movements with new coloured dials as it does to a slightly-lesser-known reference from a bigger name in the industry.

However, if there’s truly one company that truly epitomises that oft-cursed word – without falling into the usual traps –  it has to be Frederique Constant. The Dutch-founded, Swiss-based, Japanese-owned brand is frequently overlooked for flashier, more familiar names. Yet, unlike the many misuses of the term, they are neither a footnote nor a forgotten gem: They are, by definition, a brand that deserves far more recognition than they get.

Perhaps the best example of this has come this year, with the all-new Frederique Constant Classics Manufacture Worldtimer in collaboration with Watch Angels. A Swiss horology brand, Watch Angels focusses primarily on the crowdfunding and manufacturing of timepieces. This has had nothing but a positive impact on the industry, with Watch Angels assisting to jumpstart smaller brands like Cedric Bellon and Thomas Funder, but also reviving heritage brands like Waltham. Frederique Constant’s CEO, Niels Eggerding, commented on what drew him to collaborate with a company such as Watch Angels:

“Since our founding, we innovate by collaborating with best-in-class partners. They are able to take us out of our comfort zone, which is necessary for experimentation and innovation. The collaboration with Watch Angels situates itself within this framework, and additionally brings us the feedback of a collector community, further reinforcing our way of innovating which includes closely listening to the market.”

Niels Eggerding – Frederique Constant CEO

In short, Frederique Constant is not only generating brand awareness in the watch community – they’re actively listening to it. It’s evident in every aspect of their latest release, a timepiece that stands as one of the most compelling in recent memory. Sized at 40.5mm diameter with a 49.2mm lug-to-lug, the new Classics Manufacture Worldtimer is more compact than its predecessor, directly addressing one of the most common critiques of the original. 

Additionally, the design has been completely reworked, its cleaner, delicate aesthetic a far cry from the initial 2012 release. The centre dial is neatly divided into four sectors with a printed white crosshair, with the printed minute track sunken down for added dimensionality. Frederique Constant and Watch Angels have also opted to incline the 24-city world time disc and remove the date wheel from the original. This minimalistic appearance provides a touch of class to an otherwise busy complication, making the functions of the watch both clear and effortless.

Speaking of effortless, turning the watch around reveals the heart of the entire operation: The in-house FC-718 movement, beating at a 4Hz/28,800VpH beat rate backed by a 38-hour power reserve. While these specifics sound rather familiar, the functionality of the FC-718 is where it truly shines. For watches with world time complications, they often require external control – be it with hidden pin-based pushers or buttons used to switch the local time zone.

The ingenuity of the engineers at Frederique Constant and their manufacturing partner La Joux-Perret shine through here, as the FC-718 has been modified so that all worldtimer operations are accessible solely through the crown. For a complication that so many watch lovers often felt lost in, Frederique Constant and Watch Angels have reduced this impossible riddle into a simple answer.

My Thoughts

When I stated that Frederique Constant was underrated, I truly meant it. Let’s be honest, I’ve also been guilty of overusing the word. Like most people, I use it with a means to spark interest in a topic I enjoy – R&B and Rap music, for example – rather than in any literal sense. I’d be surprised if I ever met someone who actually hadn’t listened to MF DOOM, Anderson .Paak or Tyler, The Creator; All global powerhouses that I’ve definitely referred to as ‘underrated’ at one point in time.

Not often do I get to talk about someone – or something, for that matter – that fits the description. Frederique Constant, by all accounts, is that something. This new Frederique Constant x Watch Angels Classics Manufacture Worldtimer, through its minimalistic elegance and capable engineering, is a perfect example of understated power, and is likely to remain one of my favourite releases going forward in the year.

Reference: FCWA.718.SS.2.1.1

Specification:

• Dimensions: 40.5mm case diameter x 49.2mm lug-to-lug x 11.1mm thick
• Case Material: Stainless steel
• Dial: Blue
• Movement: Automatic FC-718 with World Time display (24 concurrent time zones) complication 
• Power Reserve: 38h
• Water Resistance: 50m (5bar)
• Strap: Black leather with steel buckle

International RRP: CHF 4,490.00

Availability As of Writing:Currently in funding stage, availability projected by September 2025. Limited to 718 pieces. Visit WatchAngels.com for more information.