Frederique Constant Introduces the Classics Runabout Automatic GMT

Since 2013, Frederique Constant has celebrated its partnership with the Riva Historical Society through its biennial Classics Runabout collection, with each limited edition paying tribute to the legendary wooden motorboats while supporting their preservation. For 2026, the Geneva-based manufacture takes the series in a new technical direction by introducing the first Classics Runabout equipped with a manufacture GMT complication. The new 42mm steel Classics Runabout Automatic GMT is offered in two limited editions of 888 pieces each, featuring either a deep blue or teak-brown dial that channels the elegance of the namesake boat.

Powering both models is the automatic manufacture Caliber FC-350, which combines a second time zone with a date display. Beating at 28,800 vph and offering a power reserve of 38 hours, the movement drives central hours, minutes, and seconds, while an arrow-tipped GMT hand indicates a second time zone on a centrally positioned 24-hour scale. Integrating the GMT display into the center of the dial preserves a balanced layout without adding visual complexity.

The dial is organized into three concentric sections that emphasize legibility. The central 24-hour scale is surrounded by applied indexes and Arabic numerals at 3, 9, and 12 o'clock, all treated with beige Superluminova for enhanced visibility in low-light conditions. The rhodium-plated hour and minute hands, as well as the arrow-shaped GMT hand, are likewise filled with luminous material, while a discreet date window at 6 o'clock maintains the symmetry. Vertical satin brushing and a striped center section reference the teak decks of classic Runabout boats, and the slim bezel maximizes the dial opening, further reinforcing the clean, uncluttered design.

Visible through the sapphire caseback, the FC-350 features Côtes de Genève finishing on the bridges and oscillating weight. The blue-dial version is paired with a black rubber strap with tone-on-tone stitching, while the brown-dial model comes on a brown leather strap with a folding clasp. Limited to 888 pieces each, both editions are presented in a special box containing a miniature Runabout boat and are priced at $2,695.

To learn more, visit Frederique Constant, here.