Horology, a child of astronomy. And no moment is more precious than the fine summer nights, warm and perfectly clear, on the water’s edge, to observe the starry sky. Perfect timing for the two new the Runabout Chronograph Automatics, adorned with a blue dial, complementing this emblematic Frederique Constant collection.
The marine world
Navy or marine blue, is the name of this deep blue hue that adorns the new dials of the Runabout Chronograph Automatic. Marine, like this call from the ocean that recalls the original partnership between Frederique Constant and the RHS (Riva Historical Society), this association of amateurs and collectors of the famous Italian boat, an ode to the dolce vita, elegance and chic sport. It was from this union that the collection was born, created in 2009 and since then, only offered in limited series.
Blue, is the choice of Frederique Constant for these two new models, each in a limited edition of only 888 pieces. Blue of the Mediterranean, the Adriatic, blue of the sky and space: the Runabout Chronograph Automatic is an invitation to travel, to have your feet in the water and your head in the stars.
Shared DNA
Each model shares a 42 mm polished case with two push-pieces to start, stop and reset the stop-watch. With an anti-glare sapphire glass bezel, it features a guilloché pattern that will play with the reflections of light like the sun on the waves.
To enjoy perfect readability, this guilloché center, a real signature of the Runabout collection, is surrounded by a satin-finish hour circle to which luminescent Arabic numerals are applied superimposed by large, also luminescent, hands. At 6 o’clock a date window stands out, thus offering the piece perfect harmony with its stop-watch balanced against the signature of the Maison at 3 o’clock. The whole is worn on a navy blue calfskin strap with an off-white overstitching.
Exclusive variations
The two models are distinguished by their choice of materials. In a very chick sport approach, elegant and associated with the noble watchmaking of Geneva to which Frederique Constant remains attached, a first case is offered in plated pink gold, whose warm hue is repeated in the hands and contours of the hour markers. The second model offers the modernity and simplicity of a light, bright steel case, also repeated in the hands and hour marker contours.
The exclusive nature of these editions, each limited to 888 pieces, is indicated on the back of each piece in two places. Firstly, by the individual number engraved on each watch. And secondly, by an original imprint representing the official RHS flag, featured on the sapphire crystal of the watch. Through it, fans of fine watchmaking will be able to appreciate the FC-392 caliber in detail, the guarantor of a 55-hour power reserve, a real first in the collection – until now the Runabout timepieces offered a power reserve of only 46 hours.
Each piece will be presented in a special case with a miniature replica of a wooden Runabout boat moored alongside the watch.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Runabout Chronograph Automatic RRP 2’895€
Reference
Functions
Movement
Case
Dial
Strap
Limited edition
FC-392RMN5B4
Hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph
FC-392 caliber, automatic with chronograph
25 jewels, 55-hour power reserve, 28’800 alt/h
Polished rose gold-plated stainless steel 2-part case
Diameter of 42 mm
Convex sapphire crystal
See-through case-back
Water-resistant up to 5 ATM
Navy blue dial with guilloché decoration, rose gold-plated applied indexes with white luminous treatment
Hand-polished rose gold-plated hour and minute hands with white luminous treatment, hand-polished rose gold-plated chronograph second hand
Chronograph minute counter at 12 o’clock, rose gold-plated hand
Chronograph hour counter at 6 o’clock, rose gold-plated hand
The second counter at 9 o’clock, rose gold-plated hand
Navy blue calf leather strap with alligator embossing and off-white stitching
Limited to 888 pieces
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Runabout Chronograph Automatic RRP 2’695€
Reference
Functions
Movement
Case
Dial
Strap
Limited edition
FC-392RMN5B6
Hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph
FC-392 caliber, automatic with chronograph
25 jewels, 55-hour power reserve, 28’800 alt/h
Polished stainless steel 2-part case
Diameter of 42 mm
Convex sapphire crystal
See-through case-back
Water-resistant up to 5 ATM
Navy blue dial with guilloché decoration, silver color applied indexes with white luminous treatment
A hand-polished silver color hour and minute hands with white luminous treatment, hand-polished silver color chronograph second hand
Chronograph minute counter at 12 o’clock, silver color hand
Chronograph hour counter at 6 o’clock, silver color hand
The second counter at 9 o’clock, silver color hand
Navy blue calf leather strap with alligator embossing and off-white stitching
Limited to 888 pieces
Source: Frederique Constant
About Frederique Constant
Frederique Constant is Swiss watchmaking manufacture located in Geneva, Switzerland. The Maison was founded in 1988 by a couple of independent entrepreneurs, Aletta and Peter Stas, to offer quality Swiss watches at an affordable price, with the aim of democratizing luxury Swiss Made watches.
Frederique Constant creates, develops, assembles, and controls a wide variety of mechanical, quartz, and connected timepieces at the same time within its 6,200 m2 Manufacture in Plan-les-Ouates (GE). To this day, Frederique Constant has designed 30 Manufacture calibers, including high complications, such as the Tourbillon, the Perpetual Calendar, the Flyback Chronograph, as well as a new and unprecedented type of escapement in watchmaking – the Monolithic. Made from a single piece of silicone, replacing the 26 components of a standard assortment, it oscillates at a frequency of 40 Hz, which is 10 times that of most mechanical movements.
In 2015, Frederique Constant launched the Horological Smartwatch, the first Swiss Made connected timepiece featuring a traditional appearance. In 2018, the Classic Hybrid Manufacture succeeded it, combining a mechanical Manufacture movement with connected features. It was followed by the Smartwatch Vitality line in 2020, equipped with a new generation built-in heart rate sensor.
The same year, Frederique Constant reinvigorated the Highlife collection (1999) with a redesigned case and an interchangeable integrated strap. This was followed in 2021 by the Slimline Monolithic Manufacture with its very high-frequency one-piece escapement, then by the Highlife collection for women.
Frederique Constant is currently present in nearly 3,000 points of sale in 120 countries across the world. In 2016, the Frederique Constant group (Frederique Constant, Alpina Watches, Ateliers deMonaco) joined the Japanese group Citizen, so as to pursue its international development and nurture new synergies.