Throughout Geneva Watch Days, Frederique Fixed launched two high-end fashions with spectacular particular dials. Just a few weeks later, the model now unveils a collection of three quartz moonphase fashions within the extra inexpensive phase. This transfer highlights the big variety of watches the model presents. Often, the mechanical aspect of issues is extra related to observe lovers. Nevertheless, after sporting the brand new Frederique Fixed Classics Moneta Moonphase fashions for per week, I discovered that there’s a surprisingly charming aspect to them. The design of the three watches is intelligent and stylish, and they’d be nice for individuals who love traditional costume watches however don’t wish to spend some huge cash.
When the brand new Frederique Fixed Classics Moneta Moonphase fashions landed on my desk, I raised an eyebrow. A quartz watch with a complication is an fascinating selection. It’s not a typical choose for lovers of mechanical watches, however these Moneta Moonphase fashions definitely provide plenty of allure. Whereas they won’t be the primary selection for many of us right here at Fratello, they might very effectively fulfill people who find themselves on the lookout for an inexpensive costume watch with a moonphase complication. Let’s discover out extra about these three new watches.
The Frederique Fixed Classics Moneta Moonphase
Let’s zoom in and have a look at the small print of the three watches. All of them characteristic a 37mm stainless-steel case with a 42mm lug-to-lug and seven.65mm thickness. This makes these three watches modest in dimension and slim in profile.
The classically formed spherical case is mixed with a small onion-style crown and a fluted inside bezel on the flange beneath the sapphire crystal. It’s an ingenious design resolution that all of us love at Fratello.
The inside bezel takes inspiration from the fluted fringe of a coin, which additionally offers the watches their identify. “Moneta” means coin in a number of languages, together with Russian and Italian. It’s a defining component of the design that the majority of my Fratello colleagues warmed as much as shortly. All of us agreed that it offers the watches loads of character.
Frederique Fixed presents the selection of three dial variants. The primary is a blue sunray dial mixed with utilized metal indices and metal dauphine palms. For a bit of additional colour, the designers added three gold-colored parts too — the Frederique Fixed brand, the circle across the moonphase show, and the “Swiss Made” textual content.
The second model has a black sunray dial, once more with stainless-steel indices and palms in addition to gold-colored textual content and markings. These first two variations are fitted with dial-matching darkish blue or black calfskin straps with a crocodile sample.
Lastly, there’s a model housing a silver sunray dial with stainless-steel indices and palms. Not like the opposite two variants, this model has a black brand, a black circle across the moonphase indicator, and “Swiss Made” written in black. It creates a extra monochromatic look, however the blue moonphase disc and darkish brown crocodile-pattern calfskin strap distinction it properly. All three variations of the Classics Moneta Moonphase have a definite presence however look equally elegant.
A quartz Ronda motion
Frederique Fixed’s FC206 caliber powers all three watches. Based mostly on the Swiss Ronda 706 motion, this quartz motion has 5 jewels and presents 60 months of battery life. Ronda’s 706 is available in a number of variations, together with date and day/date variations. I like that Frederique Fixed determined to maintain issues issues easy. All three watches have dauphine hour and minute palms and a moonphase indicator. I discovered that these parts contributed to an virtually serene picture after I had the watch on my wrist.
One factor to spotlight is that the watch doesn’t have an lively seconds hand to indicate that it’s operating. So, after you’ve adjusted the time and the lunar part to their right positions, the watch is pretty static in comparison with most others.
However the design ensures that there are many nice issues to admire when sporting the watch. The eye to element makes the dial a pleasure to behold. The sharp end of the palms and indices, the fluted inside bezel, and the neatly completed moonphase indicator are properly executed.
Sporting the Classics Moneta Moonphase
As soon as on the wrist, these watches present their fashion brilliantly. Whereas they’re on the smaller aspect for my 18.5mm wrist, I’d name them modest slightly than too small. In these photographs, you will note the silver- and black-dial variations on my wrist, whereas Nacho is sporting the blue-dial model. As you may in all probability inform, the watch seems extra at house on his 17.5mm wrist. All in all, although, so long as you benefit from the dimension, the Classics Moneta Moonphase is most positively charming.
Due to the splendidly easy design, all three watches look good-looking. The thought of the fluted inside bezel is intelligent as a result of it turns into a part of the dial design. It’s a good ornamental component that retains the precise dial smaller, however the proportions are spot on. All of the completely different parts are balanced and, stylistically, match one another completely. Add the slim profile, and you’ll perceive that it’s a pleasure to put on these watches. I’d attempt completely different straps to mess around with the seems and discover out what works finest with casual and formal apparel.
Remaining ideas on the Frederique Fixed Classics Moneta Moonphase
This brings me again to the primary query I had when these watches landed on my desk: who’re they for? As most of you already know, we love quartz watches right here at Fratello, so I’ve nothing towards them in precept. However the context of a moonphase costume watch is so tied to mechanical horology that the Classics Moneta Moonphase wanted a while to sink in.
The reply to my query is almost certainly “watch lovers who desire a fashionable costume watch however don’t wish to break the financial institution.” In case you normally put on a device watch and are on the lookout for a costume look ahead to the few occasions you want one, this may very well be a really good price range possibility at €1,095.
Why would you choose it over an inexpensive mechanical possibility? First, you in all probability is not going to discover a mechanical costume watch with a moonphase complication for that cash. Second, the design of those new watches is unbelievable. Whereas we debated the viewers for these watches at Fratello, we additionally agreed that they give the impression of being phenomenal. With the design, the proportions, and the slim profile, it’s onerous to fault the Classics Moneta Moonphase’s seems.
Moreover die-hard watch followers, many “common” watch patrons need a fantastic watch as soon as each few years. I also can see individuals like that as a target market. The Classics Moneta Moonphase is a comparatively inexpensive, Swiss-made, and, as soon as once more, good-looking watch. So there’s definitely an viewers for these fashions, and I grew surprisingly keen on them over the past week.
You may be taught extra concerning the new Classics Moneta Moonphase on Frederique Fixed’s web site. Tell us within the feedback part which of those new introductions is your favourite.
