Get ready to fall in love with the latest masterpiece from Frederique Constant—the Classics Carrée Moonphase Automatic. But here’s where it gets intriguing: despite its name, the Classics Carrée isn’t a perfect square; instead, it’s a sleek, slightly elongated rectangle that redefines elegance in the world of dress watches. First unveiled in 2003, this collection has evolved over the years, showcasing various materials, sizes, and designs. Now, for the first time ever, Frederique Constant introduces a moon phase complication to this iconic line, adding a layer of sophistication that’s hard to resist.
And this is the part most people miss—the Classics Carrée Moonphase stays true to its Art Deco roots while pushing boundaries. Available in two stunning versions, it features herringbone-stamped dials with a guilloché-like texture and a sunray finish. Choose between a timeless silver-toned dial or a bold navy blue, both paired with faceted hour markers and elegant dauphine-style hands. The moon phase display, positioned classically at 6 o’clock against a dark blue sky, is the star of the show, blending tradition with modernity.
But here’s the controversial bit: to accommodate the moon phase function, the case has grown significantly compared to the time-only version, now measuring 42.30mm x 30.00mm with a height of 10.51mm. Crafted from polished stainless steel, its fluid lines exude luxury, while an onion crown and moon phase corrector ensure seamless functionality. The see-through caseback, secured by four screws, reveals the movement’s golden rotor—a treat for watch enthusiasts.
Powering this beauty is the calibre FC-333, based on the reliable Sellita SW280, which is essentially the moon phase variant of the SW200—a movement inspired by the legendary ETA 2824. Operating at a 4Hz frequency with a 38-hour power reserve, it includes a stop-second mechanism for precise time setting. Here’s a thought-provoking question: does the addition of the moon phase elevate this watch to a must-have status, or is it just a stylish extra?
The Classics Carrée Moonphase is paired with a black or navy-blue calfskin leather strap, embossed with an alligator scale pattern and finished with tone-on-tone stitching. It’s secured by a simple pin buckle. Priced at CHF 1,695, it strikes a balance between luxury and accessibility. For more details, visit Frederique Constant’s official website.
Technical Specifications – Frederique Constant Classics Carrée Moonphase Automatic
- Case: 42.30mm length x 30.00mm width x 10.51mm thickness, polished stainless steel, sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, see-through caseback, water-resistant to 30m.
- Dial: Silver-toned or navy-blue with sunray finishing and herringbone guilloché-like pattern, applied indexes, polished faceted dauphine hands.
- Movement: FC-333 calibre (base Sellita SW-280), automatic, 25.60mm x 5.40mm, 28,800 vibrations/hour, 38-hour power reserve, 26 jewels, hours, minutes, seconds, and moon phase at 6 o’clock.
- Strap: Blue or black calf leather with crocodile pattern and tone-on-tone stitching, steel pin buckle.
- References: FC-333S4C6 (silver dial), FC-333N4C6 (blue dial).
- Price: CHF 1,695.
What’s your take? Is the moon phase complication a game-changer, or just a stylish addition? Let us know in the comments!
