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| Frédérique Constant rose-gold plated Moonphase retails for $2,495. |
With the iconic Pepsi Cola sign in Long Island City shining brightly as a backdrop across the East River, Manhattan’s Water Club restaurant was a fitting place for Frédérique Constant to introduce the newest version of its Runabout timepiece collection: The Runabout Moonphase.
The 43mm diameter watch is available in stainless steel or plated rose gold with a delicate guilloche decoration in the center, hand-applied Arabic indexes, and well-positioned day, date and moonphase indicators. The decorated automatic movement can be seen through the sapphire caseback. It is available in a limited quantity of 1,888 pieces per material.
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| The stainless steel Moonphase retails for $2,350. |
Peter Stas, managing director of the Swiss watch brand, said the inspiration for the watch is the small wooden runaround boats invented in the 1920s by Garfield A. Wood. These boats are designed to hold between four and eight people and are well suited to moving about on the water.
Each Runabout timepiece comes with its own handmade wooden case that echoes the craftsmanship of the yachts. Also in the box is a miniature reproduction of a classic runabout boat (pictured below).
To promote the Runabout collection, Frédérique Constant will serve as the official sponsor of the 39th annual Lake Tahoe Concours d'Elegance Wooden Boat Show, at the North shore of Lake Tahoe in Carnelian Bay, Calif. The annual event, founded in 1972, will be held this year on August 12 and 13. More than 100 classic and antique boats and more than 5,000 visitors are expected to attend. The best vintage boats in North America compete in 13 specialized classes for top honors and bragging rights, in what is considered to be one of the premier judged wooden boat shows in the world.