Introducing: Frederique Constant’s Classic Moneta Moonphase, Now Available Stateside
What We Know
In September, Frederique Constant launched the Classics Moneta Moonphase in Europe as a smartly priced quartz piece that seemed to get a lot of attention quickly among watch lovers. Now, a few months later, you’ll soon (if not already) be able to pick up the model as Frederique Constant brings the watch to the United States for the reasonable price of $1,295.
The Classic Moneta Moonphase comes in a 37mm by 7.65mm stainless case, housing a quartz movement for the hours, seconds, and moon phase, with an estimated run time of 60 months before you’ll need to charge the batter. The watch has a high-polish case finish, which matches the polished hands and indices, and a coin-edge finish around the inside of the dial. It comes in three dial colors – black, blue, and white – all with a sunburst finish. In addition to an anti-reflective convex sapphire crystal, there’s also a threaded solid case back, which should make changing a battery a bit easier.
From pictures – and first impressions around the “watch internet” – the watch seems to hold up well in person against its $1,295 price tag. It will be available starting December 2024, with no specific date, so keep refreshing the Frederique Constant website to pick one up.
What We Think
Despite being one of the largest markets for watch brands, the United States doesn’t necessarily get every watch launched. Sure, there are regional exclusives (AP recently dropped a gorgeous yellow gold RD#4 for China), but sometimes, there are just watches that don’t make it to American shores. I first saw the Classic Moneta Moonphase when it was posted by Tim Vaux on Instagram, but I never got a press release, and, with plenty of other things to cover, I just moved on. Then, the year got slower and closer to the holidays, and I reached out to Frederique Constant’s team, and, lo and behold, the timing was perfect.
Compared to quartz moon phase offerings from Tissot and Timex, the Classics Moneta Moonphase is a bit on the pricier side, but next to Longines’ options, it seems about right. It’s worth considering that the finishing looks incredibly solid and thoughtful (for the money, at least).
The coin-edge dial track is a bit quizzical from a practical perspective but still looks nice. It’s also a more wearable 37mm than the Longines I linked (30mm), so it will suit a wider variety of folks looking for a more entry-level moon phase. The white dial feels the most cohesive to me – the use of gilt on the other models around the moon phase and the text on the dial clashes a bit – but I really don’t think you can go wrong with any of the new releases.
The Basics
Brand: Frederique Constant
Model: Moneta Classics Moonphase
Reference Number: FC-206B3S6 (Black), FC-206N3S6 (Navy), and FC-206S3S6 (White)
Diameter: 37mm
Thickness: 7.65mm
Case Material: Polished stainless steel 3-part case
Dial Color: Black, navy blue, or white dial with sunray finishing
Indexes: Applied silver color indexes
Lume: None, Hand-polished silver color hour and minute hands
Water Resistance: 50m
Strap/Bracelet: Dark brown calf leather strap with crocodile pattern embossing and tone-on-tone stitching
Pin buckle
The Movement
Caliber: FC-206 caliber
Functions: Hours, minutes, moonphase
Power Reserve: 60 months battery life
Jewels: 5 Jewels
Additional Details: Anti-reflective convex sapphire crystal; threaded solid case back
Pricing & Availability
Price: $1,295
Availability: December 2024
Limited Edition: No
For more, click here.
Hodinkee
