What's the general opinion on Frederique Constant?
Hit up the watch shop in the airport the other day, (check out my Tudor post here) whilst I was there, a few Frederique Constant pieces caught my eye. Primarily this one:
So, the headlines:
In-house calibre FC-718
42mm case
12mm thick
22mm aligator leather strap with deployant clasp
Worldtimer
Pointer date
And you can get all this for "only" £3,695. I feel like this is almost too good to be true! The watch is stunning on the wrist. The finishing looks top notch, the dial is a delight, I love the size and the functionality.
So what's the catch? Is there something dodgy I should know about our mate Fred? Or are these watches just a good value proposition?
I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Brit in Germany. I love GMT watches and i'm a big fan of Longines.
I wish I had bought an FC years ago on a cruise ship. This one in particular is pretty nice 👍
Underappreciated. They just seem to exist in a publicity void, probably not sending enough envelopes of cash to the watch bloggers.
🔥
Great watches, innovative and they keep their prices low.
I wish I had bought an FC years ago on a cruise ship. This one in particular is pretty nice 👍
Was it the cruise ship that sold it to you, or the watch?
Underappreciated. They just seem to exist in a publicity void, probably not sending enough envelopes of cash to the watch bloggers.
Yeah, i'm pretty sure i've never seen an advert for them, but I did manage to find a Teddy video from two years ago when I searched for it.
Was it the cruise ship that sold it to you, or the watch?
FC was set up by a Dutch entrepreneurial couple in 1988; so no rich heritage going back > 100 years. They set out to create luxury but affordable watches (500 - 3k), which they have done quite well I’d say. It’s now part of Citizen. I do not own one, but as far as I can see, no reason why you shouldn’t get it! Looks great. And a ‘bargain’ for an in-house calibre.
FC was set up by a Dutch entrepreneurial couple in 1988; so no rich heritage going back > 100 years. They set out to create luxury but affordable watches (500 - 3k), which they have done quite well I’d say. It’s now part of Citizen. I do not own one, but as far as I can see, no reason why you shouldn’t get it! Looks great. And a ‘bargain’ for an in-house calibre.
Interesting, some info there I didn't know, cheers.
They make really nice peices. I want one at some point. Their world timer caught my eye also.
I own one. Highly recommend. But above all buy only what you like. Not what we recommend.
I looked at a bunch of them at Watchtime NYC today. Look more expensive than they actually are. Liked the Classics Premier models for the price. Nice dials.
Very overlooked
I am a fan. They make pieces that are both technically innovative (like their world timer, flyback and perpetual calendar calibers) and reasonably priced. But they are not trying to produce hype pieces and lots of people are turned off by their classic styling and habit of releasing gold toned watches. As such theirbwork has almost no social media presence. I think they are very interesting watch makers in need of a better marketing department.
I first heard of FC when I was looking for a Swiss made smart watch and stumbled on their analogue smart watches. I think they are related to Alpina watches
I can only think of a handful of brands that give you this level of workmanship at ~2k. Hard to beat!
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Sounds like you already love this watch. FC have a great reputation, I don't own one myself (yet), but have been drawn in a few times and it is likely to happen at some point!
I tried this yday at WatchTime NYC exhibition - its an absolute cracker of a watch - amazing finishing and beautiful craftsmanship - We as watch lovers feel its under-priced only because other big brands have conditioned us to accept exorbitantly ridiculous prices as a norm - This is a great watch and I am seriously considering this watch too
That's a really valid point. Here's me saying "only" 3.5k because an Omega AT World Timer is 10 grand...
The question should not be why is this so cheap, but why should I spend 3x as much on the Omega.
https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/the-silicon-powered-speed-of-the-frederique-constant-slimline-monolithic-manufacture-40hz
The monolithic caliber is fascinating. I'm a big fan of this brand
That is fascinating, thanks for sharing. My only concern would be servicing in years to come if the movement requires a laser-controlled high-speed camera!
FC is one of the best deals you can get in the watch industry.
Amazing story of the founders who built their manufacture from scratch using modern technology and basing their early designs on classic Breguet and Patek models.
I have been collecting FC for almost two decades. Here are some from the collection...
Thanks for sharing the pictures. What a fantastic bunch! Have you had any issues over the years?
FC has the pedigree and there’s absolutely no doubt or reservation about the brand or it’s products. The only recommendation you should ask for is not from anyone else but your own head and heart.
But, if you still want a reco then here it is - Just buy it and share with us how great it looks on your wrist. 😜
Yes, of course, this post was just to make sure I wasn't getting caught in another "in-house" faux pas or whatever.
I bought mine a few years ago at first I thought it was complicated to tell the world time but once I figured it out I liked it more than gmt watches. The watch wears smaller than 42 i believe. It's stunning and elegant.
Stunning! And the green works so well
I have basically no experience with the brand. My local AD has decided to take the brand in. I’m looking forward to that. Your worldtimer looks fantastic👍
I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts when you get hands-on!
Yes, of course, this post was just to make sure I wasn't getting caught in another "in-house" faux pas or whatever.
Yeah I hear you. I think if you like it, (which I think you already do,) you should just get it. What could possibly go wrong. Cheers.
I though they were a joke, until seeing their tourbilon model
Thanks for sharing the pictures. What a fantastic bunch! Have you had any issues over the years?
Thanks for the kind words. No issues whatsoever.
I have had some of them for a very long time.
I have a few more that I didn't have wrist shots for in my database, but they are also solid watches with no issues.
FC is one of the best deals you can get in the watch industry.
Amazing story of the founders who built their manufacture from scratch using modern technology and basing their early designs on classic Breguet and Patek models.
I have been collecting FC for almost two decades. Here are some from the collection...
Woah is that the Monolithic Oscillator? How have you found it so far?
Woah is that the Monolithic Oscillator? How have you found it so far?
Yes! This is the limited edition that FC did with Revolution Watch.
It is stunning and the movement is incredible.
I found it even cooler when videoing the movement than trying to observe it with just your eyes.
I was super happy that I was able to get allocated one of these.
I really want this piece!
I really want this piece!
Do it, it felt fantastic when I tried it on