Where Geneva Watchmaking Meets Milanese Elegance
In August 2024, Frederique Constant introduced the Classics Moneta Moonphase, a standout addition to its Classics line that reinterpreted the traditional fluted bezel by shifting it to the flange. The result? A case that subtly echoes the silhouette of a coin—hence the Latin-derived name Moneta. Now, the Geneva-based manufacture has refined this refined silhouette further, unveiling two refreshed references that push the aesthetic into new stylistic territory.
The first of these new designs comes in a yellow gold PVD case, with matching hands and applied hour markers—offering a warm, luxurious tone rooted in horological tradition. The second marks a design first for the Moneta Moonphase: a finely woven Milanese mesh bracelet, paired with a full-steel colour palette and a moonphase display that enhances its vintage flair.
Despite their visual contrasts, both models maintain the Moneta’s 37 mm case size—versatile on both men’s and women’s wrists—and are powered by a quartz movement. This clever choice allows Frederique Constant to retain affordability while maintaining design integrity, delivering on the brand’s philosophy of accessible luxury.
Vintage soul, modern finesse
True to Frederique Constant’s commitment to timeless style, the refreshed Moneta Moonphase models strike a delicate balance between vintage aesthetics and understated modernity. Are they retro, contemporary, urban, Sixties-inspired or grounded in Seventies nostalgia? The answer depends on the eye of the beholder—but their horological pedigree is indisputable.
Each watch features a sunray-finished dial that plays gently with ambient light, while polished dauphine hands sweep over twelve applied hour markers. A key design choice—the omission of a seconds hand—allows the timepieces to blur the line between quartz and mechanical movements, lending them a calm, meditative visual rhythm.
At six o’clock, the moonphase display quietly charts the 27-day lunar cycle, a poetic complication housed in a slim, elegant case. Whether viewed as a tribute to classical watchmaking or a playful nod to modern refinement, the Classics Moneta Moonphase remains firmly grounded in design purity.
Two new takes on a modern classic
The gold-tone variation is a study in cohesive elegance. The warm gold hue extends across the case, crown, hands, indices and celestial display, offering a tactile sense of prestige. It’s the first time Frederique Constant has applied this treatment to the Moneta Moonphase, and it lends the watch an unmistakable presence—without the prohibitive price tag typically associated with such finishes.
The second model introduces a different mood entirely. The stainless steel case and Milanese mesh bracelet create a soft, supple fit that evokes a relaxed sophistication. The bracelet hugs the wrist like a second skin, while the retro aesthetic pays tribute to the popularity of mesh bracelets in the 1970s. Touches of gold on the moonphase ring and the “Frederique Constant Genève” signature at twelve o’clock add refinement and balance to the cooler tones.
A new expression of affordable luxury
In both executions, Frederique Constant’s design language comes through clearly: timeless forms, unexpected textures, and a thoughtful interplay of light and materials. With the Classics Moneta Moonphase, the brand doesn’t just update a classic—it redefines how accessible luxury can look and feel.
Whether you’re drawn to the radiance of yellow gold or the vintage appeal of Milanese steel, these two new models offer a compelling reason to revisit one of Frederique Constant’s most poetic timepieces.
