What's your thoughts on Frederique Constant?
I have been at watches around the $1,000-$2000 range, and one brand that I've been seeing a little bit is Frederique Constant. Are they any good for the price and what models should I be looking at?
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Samuel Walker
Watch Enthusiast of all budgets
Member since
Last active: 5 months ago
8.00” / 20.32 cm
🔥
I think FC are nice. Near $1,000 I be fine, but the closer to $2,000 you get the better Longines look to me.
Above $1500 you should consider Longines or Oris 😌
I’ve never been attracted to FC at any price point, too many other brands grab my attention. Monta, Sinn, Longines to name a few.
They are a brand that are perfect to pick up at a grey dealer. Overpriced at retail, but once unloaded to the greys they become a solid watch for the money. IE the worldtimer. This is a stunning watch, but is it $4500 stunning? Nope, but at $2500, it suddenly becomes more attractive.
For under $1000, they have some solid classic dress watch designs. Those guilloche dials look good. Other alternatives are Mido, Longines, Tissot, Hamilton for a similar price point.
The highlife is one of their latest models. FC has 34 and 41mm models and is coming out with a 39mm version too.
Price wise, they’re readily available with good discounts for their entry pieces. Discounts get harder to get the further up you go. Shop around at the very least.
They are a brand that are perfect to pick up at a grey dealer. Overpriced at retail, but once unloaded to the greys they become a solid watch for the money. IE the worldtimer. This is a stunning watch, but is it $4500 stunning? Nope, but at $2500, it suddenly becomes more attractive.
Just saw this one on a grey market site for $2556.
Just saw this one on a grey market site for $2556.
Yep. Great deal for that.
They go on very heavy discounts at grey market dealers, and they're definitely worth it at that price.
They are the sister brand of Alpina and do have some very nice watches. They’re known for their Worldtimer’s and Moonphase watches, so you will see some very nice dials.
Buying FC or Alpina (their sports brand) is best done with some patience. As some others have pointed out, there’s great deals for them on the grey market for models 12mths or more older.
They are owned now by Citiizen which might turn off pro Swiss buyers, but by all accounts Citizen is allowing them to run their own show.
I personally like that it’s not a brand you see every second person wearing, so if you do buy one it will be a little bit more distinctive.