Frederique Constant has brought back its collector-favourite Classics Runabout line for 2026. This time, it comes with an in-house Manufacture GMT movement. Just 888 pieces will be made per colourway.
Frederique Constant has confirmed the return of its Classics Runabout Automatic GMT for 2026. The release revives one of the Swiss watchmaker’s most sought-after partnerships. Every two years, the brand teams up with the Riva Historical Society to pair Genevan watchmaking with the look of Italy’s iconic wooden motor yachts.
This time, however, there’s a genuine upgrade. For the first time, Frederique Constant has fitted the Runabout collection with its own Manufacture GMT complication. The FC-350 calibre powers a dual time zone function, plus a date window at 6 o’clock. As a result, the watch now combines everyday practicality with its usual collectable appeal.
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Design Cues Lifted Straight From the Boatyard
The 42mm case stays true to its Riva roots. Vertical satin-brushed stripes run across the dial, echoing the teak decking found on classic Riva runabouts. A 24-hour GMT scale sits neatly within the design, without disrupting its clean lines. Meanwhile, vintage-style Arabic numerals and luminous hands round out the collection’s maritime aesthetic.
Buyers can choose between two dial colours: a deep blue or a teak-brown. Both nod to the wood-and-water palette of classic Riva boating heritage. Frederique Constant has capped each colourway at 888 pieces, and every watch carries an individual engraving: “Limited Edition – One of 888.”
Movement and Finishing
Inside, an automatic movement delivers a 38-hour power reserve. A smoked sapphire caseback reveals the mechanics beneath, finished with Côtes de Genève striping and stamped with the Riva Historical Society’s logo. For collectors, these details matter — they extend the watch’s story beyond the dial.
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A Collector’s Package
True to its collectible positioning, each Runabout GMT arrives in a presentation box. Inside sits a miniature Riva boat model, a keepsake that reinforces the collaboration’s heritage angle.
Price
The Frederique Constant Classics Runabout Automatic GMT is priced at £1,795.
