Within the scope of Frederique Constant’s watch releases is a gem that only surfaces once every two years – their collaborations with the Riva Historical Society dedicated to the maintenance and restoration of Riva boats. A Riva is what’s known as a Runabout, a small luxury boat built for days out on transalpine lakes or soaking up Mediterranean sun. In 2024 they released the Calatrava-esque Classics Runabout Automatic Blue, and now for 2026 they are launching the new Classics Runabout Automatic GMT in two versions.
Starting with the case, it follows the same classic style as the previous models with a round shape and polished bezel. While it’s produced in steel, it is firmly a dress watch rather than a sports watch as it only has a 50m water resistance rating. That’s enough to protect it from a light bit of spray as you clip along in a boat, but it’s not designed to accompany you into the water should you decide to take a swim – which I think you can argue it should be able to do for safety if nothing else. It wants to stay firmly on the deck.
In fact, the deck of a Riva is an important stylistic element of the watch’s design because the dial emulates the typical teak wooden cladding with its central vertical stripes. That’s especially true of the teak brown edition of the Classics Runabout Automatic GMT. The second blue version is more generally aquatic themed, but you can still see the relation.
Wrapping around that central disk of the dial is a 24-hour scale with GMT hand that displays a second time zone. GMT complications are regarded as the classic travel complication, allowing you to track both local time on the main 12-hour display and home time on the 24-hour display. Ideal for those who want to spend their summer holidays outside of the UK in the warmth of the Riviera or high alpine lakes.
Outside that 24-hour scale is the primary 12-hour scale with 12/3/9 layout of Arabic numerals interspersed with baton indexes and a date window at 6 o’clock. Then, completing the display is a flange mounted minute scale around the very edge of the display. It’s the perfect combination of providing a good level of information while remaining relatively restrained. Like a Riva boat itself, it is a functional device but also a symbol of elegance and luxury.
Powering the watch is the calibre FC-350, a Sellita base movement fitted with a manufacture GMT module. The use of a module does make the movement slightly thicker which is why the watch measures 42mm x 12.85mm rather than the previous three-hand model’s 42mm x 11.5mm. That is a noticeable increase to the watch’s thickness, particularly for a dress watch. At this size, I would like to see an improvement to the watch’s water resistance to make it a more versatile watch, similar in spirit to the Omega Aqua Terra which has a 150m water resistance.
Each version of the Frederique Constant Classics Runabout Automatic GMT, teak or blue, is limited to 888 pieces and is priced at £1,795. That’s £200 more than the 2024 edition, which is understandable given the inclusion of a manufacture GMT module. Ultimately, while I do think the water resistance for a maritime themed piece with tool watch proportions should be higher, I still really like the release. It genuinely does conjure images of taking a picnic hamper and maybe a bottle of champagne out onto the water and relaxing in the sun. I don’t know anyone who finds that a disagreeable way to spend your time.
Price and Specs:
More details at Frederique Constant.
Seems like a bit of a committee design to me. Is it a dress watch or is it a sailing / tool watch, it has a foot in both camps.
I personally prefer the brown dial version as it pays homage to the boards of a sailing vessel (I have not personally seen a blue decked vessel but maybe that’s a land lubber’s limitation). Again, if it’s a dress watch, why go for 42mm diameter, when many other brands currently releasing dress watches are typically hitting the sweet spot of 39mm, why also release the brown dial version with a leather strap, when the blue version has a more sensible rubber strap (if it’s truly a sailing watch). Too many cross-overs for my liking. As for the minimal water depth capability, that doesn’t add up either.
Having said all of that, I do like the styling, just don’t get the mis-mash of ideas.
Frederique Constant do produce (mostly), stunningly beautiful watches (and this is one of those, but with the above listed comments), but sadly, not a brand for me as I have had a bad experience with one of their earlier releases. (Once bitten etc).