Few brands punch above their weight as well as Frederique Constant does. The Swiss label manages to produce a truly timeless look with in-house movements for far less than most comparable brand, especially with its Classics line. The same line that spawned the breathtaking Classic Moonphase has now grown in a new, popular direction with this: the Classic GMT Automatic.
Like most Frederique Constant pieces, this new addition looks to be a greatest hits album of classical design cues. The case is a simple three-piece affair, with a rounded bezel atop a slim mid-case with perfectly proportioned tapered lugs. From the side, the case walls gently curve outward, giving it a luxe, cushy feel and keeping things from feeling too angular. Around back, the sapphire display back offers a glimpse into the in-house-modified FC-350 caliber.
The dial is a similarly brilliant mix of Breguet, Patek and other traditional design ideas. There?s some excellent play with textures going on here?the outer hours index ring is a muted sunburst silver, while the 24-hour GMT track continues this sunray pattern while separated by a razor thin line. The center of the dial, then, features a handsome diamond guilloche-like pattern, which is in turn picked up in a narrow ring just outside the hours track. In terms of design language, it?s as old school as it gets, with elegant slender Roman numerals coupled to Breguet hands. Meanwhile, the GMT hand is a simple arrow, with a modernity that keeps th...