This is the Frédérique Constant Moon Timer, a new piece for 2012. It’s not easy being a youthful brand in an industry where some of your associates have a history numbered in hundreds of years, nevertheless Aletta and Peter Stas continue to grow the company they founded in 1988 technically, organically and … rather beautifully, actually.
Theirs is a portfolio composed of classically styled timepieces which are “sensibly priced”, but you’d never know it – these are hand-assembled wristwatches with hand-polished cases. Quality control and attention to detail are the fundamentals on which the brand’s reputation has been built.
The Frédérique Constant Moon Timer is a fine addition to the collection. On the grainy black dial clean Arabic numerals encircle a central rail track, at the dial edge the dates of the month are tidily arranged for the pointer date display which uses for its “pointer” a vibrant little elongated arrow tipped hand. The moon phase against its blue starry background takes its place at 6 o’clock. Inside is the automatic Caliber FC-330 movement and the stainless steel case measures 43mm across.