Introducing: Two New Limited Edition Runabout Watches, From Frédérique Constant

For many years, Frédérique Constant have harboured ambitions of becoming the new gatekeepers for entry into the fine watchmaking, vying for the position traditionally held by brands like TAG Heuer, Longines and Baume & Mercier. Despite tough competition from these, and many other younger companies, their effort has been hugely impressive, and quite successful too, thanks to classic but handsome watches at very competitive prices, including this year's  Slimline Perpetual Calendar Manufacture.

With it, Frédérique Constant took the industry’s most challenging complication and introduced its own in-house interpretation for less than $10,000, making it the most affordable perpetual calendar on the market. While the new Runabout models are far from being as revolutionary as the Slimline Perpetual Calendar Manufacture, they do represent what Frédérique Constant does best: elegant and affordable. They also support the Riva Historical Society, by increasing its visibility – the RHS is a non-profit organization dedicated to the restoration and preservation of classic Riva runabouts, by sharing knowledge and promoting communication between owners.

The partnership with RHS dates back to 2009, and since then has resulted in several new watches along the way, the most recent being last year’s Runabout Chronograph. For 2016, Frédérique Constant have announced two limited edition time and date watches, one in stainless steel (for $1,550) and another in rose gold plated stainless steel ($1,850). Both are 43mm in diameter, and feature a lightly decorated dial and legible Arabic hour markers. The new Runabout is styled after the “Venice” edition, presented in 2012, but sees the date window moved from 3 to 6 o’clock, while some of the hour markers have been taken off the dial to leave only those at 2,4,8,10 and 12.

The watches are once again powered by a modified ETA 2824, a high-frequency automatic movement with a power reserve of 42 hours, which is assembled at Frédérique Constant  (at which point it is christened the caliber FC-303).

The back of the watch is engraved with the flag of the Riva Historical Society to mark the special bond between it, and Frédérique Constant. Each version of new Runabout will be available in a limited series of 2,888 pieces, and will be delivered in a gift box completed by a miniature replica of the iconic wooden Runabout. The watches come on a black or brown leather strap and are water-resistant to 30 meters.

Frédérique Constant Runabout Limited Ed. Case: Stainless Steel or Rose Gold-Plated stainless steel, 43MM, waterproof 3O meters; Dial: Silver, guilloché decoration; Movement: FC-303, automatic, 28,800 vph, 46-hour power reserve, visible through sapphire caseback; Strap: Black or Brown leather; Price: $1,550 in SS; 1,850 in RG-plated SS.