Frederique Constant + Watch Angels WorldTimer Manufacture

The Frederique Constant + Watch Angels Worldtimer Manufacture is a collaborative masterpiece, a testament to the power of shared passion and expertise between two respected names in the industry. Frederique Constant, a name synonymous with accessible luxury and in-house movements, has consistently pushed the boundaries of traditional Swiss watchmaking. Founded in 1988 by Aletta Bax and Peter Stas, the brand has carved a niche for itself by offering meticulously crafted timepieces with impressive complications, all while maintaining a commitment to value. Their dedication to "let more people enjoy luxury" has resonated with watch enthusiasts worldwide, establishing Frederique Constant as a significant player in the competitive horological landscape.



Watch Angels, on the other hand, represents a newer, more disruptive force in the industry. Founded in 1979, they embrace a "crowdmanufacturing" model, connecting independent watchmakers directly with enthusiasts. This approach fosters transparency, collaboration, and a direct line of communication between creators and collectors. Watch Angels acts as a platform, empowering independent brands and providing watch lovers with access to unique, often limited-edition timepieces at compelling prices. This direct-to-consumer, factory-direct approach reduces overhead and eliminates the markups associated with traditional retail channels.



The partnership between Frederique Constant and Watch Angels is a fascinating intersection of established expertise and innovative distribution. This particular collaboration resulted in a reimagined version of Frederique Constant's popular Worldtimer Manufacture, a watch that already held a special place in the brand's history. First introduced in 2012, the original Worldtimer quickly became a favorite for its user-friendly functionality and classic aesthetics. The new iteration maintains the core appeal of its predecessor while introducing key refinements that cater to a modern audience.



The most noticeable change is the case size. This new Worldtimer boasts a 40.5mm diameter, a reduction from the original 42mm. This subtle downsizing might seem minor, but it significantly impacts wearability. The 40.5mm size hits a sweet spot for many wrist sizes, offering a more contemporary and versatile presence. It's a size that feels substantial without being overpowering, making it suitable for both formal and casual occasions. The case itself is crafted from 316L stainless steel, known for its durability and corrosion resistance. The design is a classic three-piece construction, showcasing a harmonious blend of brushed and polished surfaces. The lugs are vertically brushed, while the bezel and crown feature a high polish, creating a subtle interplay of light and shadow that adds depth and visual interest.



The crown, adorned with the Frederique Constant crest, is also polished, adding a touch of refinement. The caseback is equally impressive, featuring a screw-in design with a sapphire crystal display. This transparent back offers a captivating view of the intricate in-house movement, the FC-718. The concave caseback and short lugs are thoughtfully designed to enhance comfort on the wrist, ensuring a snug and secure fit.



The dial of the Worldtimer is where its functionality and aesthetic charm truly shine. It's a three-piece construction, meticulously designed for both legibility and visual appeal. The base of the dial features a rich blue sunburst finish, radiating outwards from the center. This dynamic finish plays with light beautifully, creating a captivating sense of depth. Surrounding the sunburst center is a circular-grained minute track, providing a subtle textural contrast.



Applied rhodium indexes mark the hours, adding a touch of understated shine. These indexes are meticulously applied by hand, a testament to the watch's handcrafted quality. The hands themselves are also hand-polished and rhodium-plated, ensuring excellent visibility against the blue dial. The central seconds hand sweeps smoothly around the dial, adding a touch of kinetic energy.



The defining feature of the Worldtimer, of course, is its ability to display the time in 24 different time zones simultaneously. This is achieved through two rotating discs that encircle the central portion of the dial. The inner disc is a 24-hour indicator, divided into day and night sections. The day section is represented by a polished gold sun semi-hemisphere, while the night section features a silver polished and sandblasted crescent moon semi-hemisphere. This visual representation of day and night is not only practical but also adds a touch of whimsy to the dial.



The outer disc displays the names of 24 cities, each representing a different time zone. By aligning the current time with the corresponding city, the wearer can instantly read the time in any of the other 23 time zones. This intuitive system makes the Worldtimer an incredibly practical tool for travelers or anyone who needs to keep track of time across different regions. The city disc is finished in a matte blue, providing a subtle contrast to the other elements of the dial.



Powering this impressive display of horological ingenuity is the FC-718 automatic world time manufacture movement. This is not an off-the-shelf movement; it's designed, developed, manufactured, and assembled entirely in-house by Frederique Constant. This commitment to in-house production is a hallmark of the brand and a significant contributor to the watch's value proposition.



The FC-718 is a self-winding mechanical movement, beating at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz). It boasts a power reserve of 38 hours, meaning it will continue to run for over a day and a half when fully wound. The movement is beautifully decorated, visible through the sapphire crystal caseback. It features circular "Côtes de Genève" and "Perlage" decorations, along with blued screws. The oscillating weight is open-worked, allowing for an even better view of the intricate mechanics.



One of the most remarkable aspects of the FC-718 is its user-friendliness. All functions, including the setting of the hours, minutes, and the 24-city disc, are controlled by the single crown. There are no additional pushers or correctors, resulting in a clean and uncluttered case design. This simplicity of operation is a testament to the thoughtful engineering behind the movement.



The Worldtimer is presented on a handmade genuine leather black strap. The strap adds a touch of classic sophistication and complements the overall aesthetic of the watch. It's secured by a polished and sandblasted 316L stainless steel folding clasp, engraved with the Frederique Constant crest. The strap width is 20mm, a standard size that allows for easy customization with aftermarket straps if desired.



Despite its impressive complications and in-house movement, the Worldtimer is surprisingly robust. It boasts a water resistance of 5ATM (50 meters / 165 feet), making it suitable for everyday wear and capable of withstanding splashes and brief immersion in water. While it's not a dive watch, this level of water resistance provides peace of mind for daily activities.



The Frederique Constant + Watch Angels Worldtimer Manufacture is a limited edition of 718 pieces. This exclusivity adds to its desirability and collectibility. The watch is priced at CHF 4,490.00, and deliveries were projected for September 2025. This price point, while not inexpensive, represents remarkable value considering the in-house movement, world time complication, and overall quality of craftsmanship. It's a testament to Frederique Constant's commitment to offering accessible luxury and Watch Angels' direct-to-consumer model, which eliminates many of the traditional retail markups.



Case: 40.5mm diameter. 316L stainless steel. Three-piece construction. Domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment. Screw-in display caseback with sapphire crystal. Vertically brushed lugs and case profile, polished bezel, polished crown with engraved Frederique Constant crest, and polished, engraved caseback. Water resistant to 5ATM/50m/165ft.



Movement: Frederique Constant FC-718 mechanical world time movement. In-house developed, manufactured, and assembled. Self-winding, mechanical, 28,800 bhp/4Hz. 26 Jewels. 38-hour power reserve. Circular "Côtes de Genève" and "Perlage" decorations. Blued screws. Open-worked oscillating mass. Swiss Made.



Dial: Three-piece dial. Blue sunburst finished dial with circular grained minute track. Applied rhodium indexes. Two-tone matte blue 24H disc with day (polished gold sun semi-hemisphere) & night (silver polished/sandblasted crescent moon semi-hemisphere) indication. Matte blue city disc with 24 cities. Hand-polished rhodium hour, minute, and second hands.



Strap: Handmade genuine leather black strap. Polished/sandblasted 316L stainless steel folding clasp with engraved Frederique Constant crescent. 20-20mm strap width.



Price: CHF 4,490.00



Notes: A collaboration between Frederique Constant and Watch Angels. Limited edition of 718 pieces. Delivery was scheduled for September 2025.