When I hear Frederique Constant and Austin Healey, one word immediately comes to mind; tradition. Both brands, after all, have collaborated for 17 years and counting, through their Frederique Constant Vintage Rally Collection to create Austin Healey racing inspired watches. The collection has seen various types of dial designs and complications over the years including a dial with a ‘triple date window’ and several different types of chronographs. Frederique Constant’s latest announcement displays yet another evolution in the collection and a welcomed detour, with an off center seconds sub dial and a modern grey dial. This new release is the equivalent of passing by a vintage Austin Healey; you’re going to take a second look.
Frederique Constant leads off the Frederique Constant Vintage Rally collection with a contemporary grey dial model wrapped in a wearable 40 mm polished stainless steel case that is just a hair above 11 mm thick. The matte grey dial gives the Vintage Rally Healey an updated, sleek look, and, as with most well executed grey dials, it’s not too serious like a black dial tool watch, but not too striking like a brightly colored dial watch. The off center sub dial is confidently located at 9 and the red small seconds hand contrasts quite nicely. The oversized numerals located at 12 and 6 are a staple of the Vintage Rally collection, and center the rest of the silver colored and hand polished applied hour indices and hands, filled with white colored lume.
I dig the dial asymmetry with the off center sub dial, however I’m particular when it comes to the symmetry of the hour markers, and if you do look closely, the hour marker at 3 seems to be ever so slightly smaller than the hour marker at 9. It’s not a deal breaker for me, as the asymmetric dial and overall design make for an attractive piece. The grey dial model comes with a grey racing style calf leather strap with tonal grey stitching, completing the ‘All Grey Everything’ affair.
If being greyed out isn’t your speed, then Frederique Constant Vintage Rally offers up a pair of different colorways with their ‘International Models’. We get the traditional ‘British Racing Green’ á la the classic Healey rally car, and like the aforementioned grey model, it’s encased in polished stainless steel with polished indices and hands, and fitted with the small red seconds hand. And what better way to complement a green dial than with a brown racing leather strap and white stitching to suit the white graduated 60 minute scale.
Its counterpart is dressed up in a rose gold plated case with matching indices and hands, and accompanied by a midnight navy blue dial and matching leather strap. All three watches are powered by Frederique Constant’s FC 345 Calibre (a modified Sellita SW-200), the iconic NOJ 393 engraved on the case-back and a complete gift set including a miniature NOJ 393 model.
Frederique Constant Yacht Timer
I’ve been a pretty vocal advocate for micro-brand watches, and for good reason. I’ve found that many micro-brands are able to deliver excellent quality products, and for great prices. This isn’t typically a knock on more established luxury watch brands, but given the nature of the industry, smaller teams operating with direct to consumer sales models are able to better optimize their final retail prices. But if micro-brands start to drive up their prices, then there should be no reason to avoid larger brands like Hamilton, Frederique Constant, Certina, Tissot, Alpina, etc. These brands have been around for a while, and some of their watches are pretty impressive.
Since Baltic and Lorier decided to venture close to the $1000 category, with mostly typical Frederique Constant Yacht Timer gmt watch designs and specs, I decided I would take a look at some of the other options available in this category. The Baltic and Lorier were very well received, but there are other GMT watches out there at similar prices. The Frederique Constant Yacht Timer GMT is one such watch; although following a very different design aesthetic. This particular watch has a retail price of around $2000, but can be found close to the $1000 mark.
Located on the outskirts of Geneva, Frederique Constant operates from a modern production facility. From the outset, the company’s objective was to create quality watches at very keen prices. Indeed, the founders of the Maison, Peter Stas and Aletta Bax, have frequently stated,’ let more people enjoy luxury’.
Some of watchmaking’s old guard have been in existence since the 18th and 19th centuries, hence, in comparative terms, Frederique Constant is a young company. It was founded in 1988 and has since enjoyed exponential growth. In 2004, the luxury brand unveiled its first Manufacture movement, a technical feat which has eluded many firms. Today, the brand has produced 29 different calibres, demonstrating its ingenuity and technical capability, two attributes which are at the heart of the brand’s culture.
In 2019, the luxury marque unveiled the Frederique Constant Yacht Timer Regatta Countdown. As its name suggests, this watch is designed for regattas, where five dots on the dial transition from one colour to another, signifying the countdown to the start of a race.
This latest version of the watch, presented in a stainless steel case, features a gorgeous anthracite guilloché dial and is equipped with the brand’s in-house FC-380 calibre.
A Frederique Constant signature timepiece, the Yacht Timer Regatta Countdown made its return to the watchmaking scene in 2019. It joined the Maison’s collections as early as 1997 at the instigation of its co-founder Peter Stas, who is passionate about sailing and the open sea himself.
Frederique Constant Yacht Timer Regatta Countdown offers a technical complication popular with fans of yachting and regattas: the countdown to the start of the race. Its classically stylish new look is the epitome of luxury sports chic, designed for regattas and relaxed pontoon times alike.
Housed in an elegant 42 mm polished stainless-steel case, the new Frederique Constant Yacht Timer Regatta Countdown presents an anthracite grey dial, playing on the colour harmony. Inspired by the most stunning examples of traditional luxury watchmaking, this new dial features a guilloché decoration. This age-old finish affords the light a regular pattern, where it can dance, stretch out and be reflected, like waves and swells, presenting an ever-changing appearance depending on the viewing angle. To complement this elegant symphony of tones, this new version comes with a matching stainless-steel strap made up of alternating polished and satin finished links, fastened with a folding buckle.
Frederique Constant Runabout
These limited-edition Frédérique Constant Runabout Automatic watches are inspired by “gentlemen’s sport boats of the roaring twenties.” It’s important to explain this and emphasize their nautical, Italian nature as well as the wood and chrome runabout boats (“most commonly seen on the canals of Venice”) they are meant to reference – because otherwise they might be mistaken for just basic but handsome, three-hand automatic Swiss watches. So, with that imagery in mind, let’s consider how these Frédérique Constant Runabout watches fit into the brand that is so well-known for entry-level value.
The entry-level Swiss luxury watch market must be an incredibly intense space to operate in. Frédérique Constant has proven itself agile and dynamic, however, recently offering in-house movements, a “horological smartwatch,” a perpetual calendar watch for around 8,000 Swiss francs… all among their standard fare of good value for classic and mostly uncontroversially designed watches. The Frédérique Constant Group also has Alpina for sport watches and Ateliers DeMonaco for more haute horology stuff. And now, they have been acquired by Citizen Watches, which also puts them under the same expanding umbrella as Bulova, Arnold & Son, Angelus, and movement maker La Joux-Perret. So, there is a lot going on at Frédérique Constant, and looking at the brand, I think: “They are in it to win this game.” They are, at the very least, certainly worth keeping tabs on.
The Riva Historical Society provides the context for this batch of limited edition Frédérique Constant watches. Frédérique Constant partnered in 2009 with the Italian non-profit organization that helps preserve these cool old boats, and the brand puts out limited-edition watches to honor the relationship each year. Past models included chronographs and moon phases, and these Frédérique Constant Runabout Automatic watches offer just three-hand time-telling, and the date at 6 o’clock. This picture should give you a basic idea of the kind of boats we are talking about and the lifestyle association they are going for:
What may help these Frédérique Constant Runabout watches stand out a bit, and what may not be immediately clear from these images, is that the somewhat conservative designs come in a 43mm polished case. That should give some wrist presence and machismo to their otherwise restrained personality. They appear designed to be elegant and not overly flashy – which I can appreciate – and legibility promises to be pretty good on both models, but especially the white-dial one.
All the basic stats and details you should be looking for in this segment check out, of course: sapphire crystal, some texture and dimensionality to the dial, lumed hands and indices, and a see-through sapphire (that’s a bonus) caseback to display the Swiss automatic movement. The case is water-resistant to 100m, which seems appropriate for a watch with an aquatic theme – and we’d actually like to see pretty much all modern watches with that rating.
The Frédérique Constant Runabout Automatic is powered by the automatic (obviously) FC-303 movement (4Hz, 42-hour power reserve) which is a base Sellita SW200-1 “assembled in the Frederique Constant manufacture.” It’s sure to have a custom-decorated rotor of some sort, but we unfortunately don’t have any images of that for the moment. The flag of the Riva Historical Society is also apparently etched into the case back window.
Frederique Constant Classics Index Automatic
If there’s one thing (among others) that Frederique Constant is good at, it is to create classic and elegant watches at fair prices. Of course, the brand also knows how to bring complex watches to a wider audience – think about its in-house perpetual calendar – or even recently to design a watch that can compete in the sports watch with an integrated bracelet. But clearly, the elegant all-rounder watch is somehow a speciality at Frederique Constant, with a collection named, rightfully so, Classics. And this year, the brand has decided to bring some fresh air and a contemporary twist to this collection, with the new Frederique Constant Classics Index Automatic.
Whether barrel-shaped, round or rectangular, the watches from the Frederique Constant Classics collection share some common hallmarks, namely an appeal for Roman numerals, polished cases with sleek lines and textured dials with guilloché-like patterns. Furthermore, these can feature simple but useful complications, such as date, day, month and chronograph or elegant moon phases. Certainly, these watches are timeless but might, for some, lack modernity and this is why, this year, Frederique Constant has decided to bring a decidedly modernized version of the Classics Index Automatic, as well as new time-and-date and GMT models powered by quartz movements. What remains, however, is the accessible price range.
The new Frederique Constant Classics Index Automatic remains part of a pillar collection for the brand and retains some of the elements known from this collection. What mostly change here is a more dynamic style for the dial, sleeker and younger, but still elegantly designed.
The case of this Frederique Constant Classics Index Automatic measures 40mm in diameter and about 10mm in height, a reasonable size that allows the watch to be worn on a daily basis, even for business purposes. The slim bezel opens on a wide dial that brings immediate legibility. The entire case is polished and shows gentle curves. It is equipped with a sapphire crystal on top and the caseback is solid stainless steel. Also, the water-resistance is rated at 50m, which makes it a care-free all-rounder watch. On the wrist, the feeling of a modern watch with casual elegance is present and the comfort is reinforced by its short lugs. The case is available either in stainless steel or with a rose gold plating.
What drastically changes compared to other models in the Classics collection is the dial. No more traditional guilloché-like pattern and blue hands, the new Frederique Constant Classics Index Automatic opts for dynamic hands and applied indexes filled with luminous material and a plain matt blue, white or black dials, with a slightly grained effect. A simple minute track is printed on the periphery and a date window, making sense in this daily-beater context, sits at 3 o’clock. Sleek and restrained, it also feels pleasantly finished.
In order to retain its accessible price, the Frederique Constant Classics Index Automatic isn’t powered by one of the brand’s manufacture movement but instead rely on an outsourced, tried-and-tested automatic engine, the Calibre FC-303, also known as a Sellita SW-200. Beating at 4Hz, it stores 38 hours of power reserve.
The watches are worn on a slightly casual strap that complements its look, made of calf leather strap with alligator embossing and nubuck finishing. The edition with a blue dial is also available on a 5-row polished stainless steel bracelet.
The Frederique Constant Classics Index Automatic is now available from the brand’s online boutique. Prices start at EUR 895 for a steel model on a leather strap, up to EUR 1,095 for a rose gold-plated edition. A rather pleasant price for a Swiss watch made by an established brand, also making it the most accessible FC watch with an automatic movement.
Frederique Constant Classics Quartz Chronograph
Here at HODINKEE, we cover a lot of different watches, from breathtaking vintage pieces to cutting-edge marvels of high technology. We strive to show you only pieces that represent value – whether monetary, aesthetic, or technical – though often these watches fall outside the range of financial accessibility for a large segment of the population. With this in mind, we offer you The Value Proposition, a weekly column exploring watches under $3,000 that we believe offer true value without compromising technical or aesthetic quality. The first watch we’ll look at is the Frederique Constant Classics Manufacture in stainless steel.
Frederique Constant Classics Quartz Chronograph is a relatively new Swiss brand, founded in 1988 by Peter Stas and Aletta Bax (the brand name is derived from Peter and Aletta’s respective middle names). From the beginning, the firm was focused on producing mechanical wristwatches made in Switzerland at an affordable price point, and the Classics Manufacture fully embodies this ethos.
At first glance, the watch appears elegant with its classic silver hobnail guilloché dial and simple 42mm stainless steel case. The black hour, minute, and second hands are all hand-polished and made of black oxidized metal that complements the Roman numerals surrounding the main dial. With the black alligator strap, this is the type of watch that works very well on a daily basis for business while still packing a punch for even more elegant occasions.
At 6 o’clock, you’ll find the watch’s only complication, a date function with sunray guilloché decoration. With the exception of the “31” and “1” being set too close together, the dates are legible around the dial. The sunray guilloché pattern on the dial contrasts nicely with the main dial’s hobnail guilloché decoration, creating visual texture that is dynamic, yet still subtle due to the monochromatic color scheme.
The date sub-dial bisects the words “Swiss made” – a designation taken very seriously by Frederique Constant Classics Quartz Chronograph. There is no outsourcing for its in-house movements; all components are made in Switzerland, primarily in the manufacturer’s Plan-les-Ouates factory.
Early on, the brand used ETA movements and then later used ETA components in its “in-house” movements. However, now everything is custom made for the manufacture movements. Certain parts like rubies and wheels are produced in collaboration with other production facilities in Switzerland, though all these facilities utilize procedures developed by Frederique Constant.
The Classics Manufacture is powered by calibre FC-710, an in-house automatic movement with 42-hour power reserve. While a portion of the movement is decorated with perlage and Côtes de Genève, the brand forgoes decoration on the underside of components to further support an accessible price point. For the money though, the finishing is nice and clean instead of going for a faux-luxe look.
The Frederique Constant Classics Manufacture is priced at $2,795, coming in just under our $3,000 bar. At this price however, it’s certainly one of the few watches in its class with an in-house, Swiss-made calibre and solid finishing across the dial, case, and movement.
Glashuette Original Senator Excellence Panorama Date
Sometimes a classic watch is anything but ordinary. Let’s take a close look at a watch with a timeless design from a German watchmaker who has held his own against most luxury Swiss watchmakers.
From the Saxon region in Germany, Glashuette Original Senator Chronograph Panorama Date shares their little watchmaking town with a few more watchmakers par excellence such as A. Lange & Sohne, and the most recent major player in the German watchmaking arena; Nomos. Let’s take a close look at their Glashutte Senator Panorama Date to explain what makes this wristwatch the special timepiece that it is.
As part of Glashutte Original’s Quintessential collection, the Senator Panorama Date series has a special place. Most of the other watches in the Glashutte Quintessentials collection have busier-looking dials which include sub-dials, power reserves, and such.
However, the Glashuette Original Senator Chronograph Panorama Date is a three-hand watch that has a stronger semblance to the watches found in the Senator Excellence collection and was designed with a clean and lean classic-looking off-white/cream colored dial. The black Roman numerals are finely printed and seem to hang from the railroad seconds track which wraps around the perimeter of the dial.
One of the most striking features of this watch is its elegantly shaped hands. The hour hand has an elongated spade shape while the minute’s hand has an oblong hourglass shape. The second hand is slender and has a Glashutte Original logo as a counterweight on the other end. The same hand design combination can be found in the Glashutte Original Senator Excellence Perpetual Calendar.
Even more striking than the carefully crafted shapely hands is the hue of blued steel. This beautiful shade of blue is achieved through a thermal reaction wherein which the steel is evenly heated using a process that changes its color.
Between the 4 and 5 o’clock positions on the dial, there is the date aperture which displays the date using a stately bold serif font. The date mechanism uses a double-disc to function. The solid 18kt rose gold case has a diameter of 40mm which is a conservative men’s size for today’s growing trend of larger watches. The rose gold case is 11.52mm thick and tucks away nicely underneath a shirt cuff. One nice feature that the GO Senator Panorama Date offers is a recessed seconds-reset button which is discreetly located on the side of the case at the 8 o’clock position and can be pushed using a special stylus tool that comes with the watch.
This watch is powered by an in-house Glashuette Original Senator Chronograph Panorama Date caliber 100-03 movement which beats at 28,800 VpH, contains 51 jewels, and has a power reserve of about 55 hours when fully wound.
As with just about every Glashutte caliber you can expect some impressive craftsmanship and skilled finishing on the movement which you can see through the transparent sapphire crystal case back. The rotor that provides the bi-directional automatic winding has a skeletonized emblem with the letter G back-to-back in gold. There is also a weighted 21kt gold strip at the edge of the rotor which is beautifully finished with striped finishing which can also be found on the 3-quarter plate. Below is a photo of the 100-03 caliber as seen through the sapphire crystal transparent case back of the stainless steel model # 100-03-32-42-04. Pay attention to how the striped finishing causes light to refract off the movement and light it up. It really adds to the magnificence of the caliber.
One of the things that I have always found fascinating about mechanical watch calibers made in Glashutte is the flashes of vibrant colors that are found on the caliber. The blued screws to the pink ruby jewel bearings and even the polished and finished steel and gold. It all provides for a movement that looks more like a piece of fine art and less like a micromechanical engine.
The rose gold model depicted at the beginning of this post is the reference number 100-03-32-45-04 and comes on a black alligator leather strap with a folding buckle in a matching 18kt rose gold. This model has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $19,500 but can be purchased here at a discounted price.
There is also a stainless-steel model that has reference number 100-03-32-42-04 which is hard to come by these days since this series is being phased out and replaced with a newer version which is now being placed in the Senator Excellence collection called the Senator Excellence Panorama Date. It has a slightly different look to the dial which uses both index hour markers and Roman numerals and is powered by a newer movement, the 36-03, which has a better power reserve.
The 100-03-32-42-04 had an MSRP of $8,900 and we happen to have one left in unworn/brand new condition and is currently selling a few thousand less than the MSRP. Both models (the stainless steel 100-03-32-42-04 and the rose gold 100-03-32-45-04) use the same exact spectacular 100-03 self-winding movement. The only difference between the two watches is the case material. One is stainless steel while the other is rose gold.
In summation, this collection has some very beautiful watches and no matter which model you choose, you will own a piece of fine horology, German precision engineering, and artisanal craftsmanship.
Click here to read more about Glashutte Original watches or browse their various collections, click the button below.
Irecently had an excellent opportunity to try out a brand new timepiece from German-based watchmaker Glashütte Original. The brand introduced the Senator Excellence collection back in 2016, and at Baselworld this year it added more options which are less formal than the first editions. It was apparent to Glashütte Original that, while very handsome to look at, the first watches with their imposing Roman numerals were a lot less appealing to the younger market. To change this, they created a watch which has become one of my personal favourite dress watches, here’s my take on the Senator Excellence Panorama Date Moon Phase. While those Roman numeral versions are also available in 18K red gold, these new pieces are only available in steel for now, though I suspect a gold version may come along in the future, even white gold perhaps.
The first thing I noticed about it upon taking it out of the FedEx box was just how light it is for the size of the case. The watch weighs in at 86 grams on our patented VSS (Very Scientific (kitchen) Scales), despite this, the stainless steel case is 42mm in diameter, polished on the bezel and lugs and brushed on the sides. It would be interesting to see what the watch is like when put on the stainless steel multi-link bracelet, but then I would have missed out on the awesome leather strap. There’ll be more on that in a bit.
The dial is very clean, legible and oh-so German in design. Only the bare essentials here, there’s not much writing, and the Glashütte Original logo is quite small. Above that logo is the moon phase display. The moon phase itself is very accurate, requiring a reset only once every 122 years. It contrasts with the blue of the dial quite well, as the disk is silver, but this does make the tiny stars quite hard to make out, I know they are microscopic, but collectors of such fine timepieces enjoy examining them with a loupe. The moon itself is brilliantly polished and inverse domed in shape, this isn’t visible to the naked eye, but it does show up with a macro lens.
Glashuette Original Sixties Chronograph Annual Edition
Glashuette Original Sixties Chronograph Annual Edition Replica Watch 1-39-34-05-22-04
Stainless steel case
Ultra-slim case in polished stainless steel
Handmade dial
Domed and embossed dial with dégradé effect, incised indexes, printed Arabic numerals and Super-LumiNova luminous dots, hands with Super-LumiNova inlays, auxiliary dials for small second and 30-minute display
Strap
Grey-brown nubuck calfskin strap with pin buckle
Custom-made for the modern dandy
Like the trendsetters of the Swinging Sixties, this latest addition leaves nothing to chance when it comes to looks and rhythm. The new chronograph features a dark green dégradé dial, a handmade automatic movement and charisma as cool as anything the music and fashion of the sixties had to offer.
A bright green dial
The stainless steel case leads the eye to a handmade retro dial. The dégradé effect travels from a bright green at the centre to a darker shade at the edge. The dial also features a finely textured surface made using the original tools and methods of the time
Shaped for a perfect fit
A specially-formed sapphire crystal case back ensures optimal views of the traditionally finished automatic movement and offers excellent wearer comfort as well, so the watch can fit snugly around the wrist.
Frederique Constant Classics Buisness Timer
A quartz moonphase makes sense for most people that want a moonphase complication. I know a lot of people that have gone for a mechanical moonphase that don’t leave it on a winder.
I don’t judge, I do the exact same thing- my Longines Master Collection Moonphase isn’t on a winder, either. D’oh!
In any case, a moonphase is a nice complication to add to a dressier watch. It adds something interesting to the watch, as well as a bit of color to the dial. To enjoy the complication the most, I’d get mine with a quartz. Set and forget – at least for a good long while – and always in sync with the Earth’s largest satellite. Frederique Constant Classics Buisness Timer
In December, I had the unbelievable luxury of being able to pick any watch I wanted to photograph and review. So, I thought it’d be nice to check out another Frederique Constant and picked the FC-270SW4P5 Business Timer. This upscale quartz is packed with the usual trimmings (sappphire/etc.) and three subdials: day/date, and moonphase.
Certified Watch Store delivered this to my door on December 19 and currently has it available for Frederique Constant Classics Buisness Timer. It is also currently available on Amazon for Frederique Constant Classics Buisness Timer.
As far as notable Swiss watchmakers go, Frederique Constant is relatively young. Founded in 1988, the roots of the company reach as far back as 1904 (you can learn more about their heritage here). They are based in Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva and have successfully competed toe to toe with many other entry-level luxury watch manufacturers since the launch of their first collection in 1992.
In 2002, the company acquired Alpina watches – another brand I’ve been itching to get some face time with – and have been heavily invested in the entry-level luxury watch market. Accessible luxury is a pillar of their brand identity, as is in-house manufacturing and handmade quality.
Several weeks ago I reviewed the Mido Commander II, which I thought was an awesome looking watch that was held back a bit by its gold PVD bracelet and case. Like the Mido, this Frederique has a gold case. However, unlike the Mido, the gold on this case appears to be better able to withstand the rigors of daily wear.Frederique Constant Classics Buisness Timer
That’s a great thing, too, because it’s absolutely posh in yellow gold. It’s elegant yet and subtle – its 40mm diameter case and cream/gold dial limit just how much gold the watch can project.
A brown Crococalf leather strap also goes a long way in toning down the impact of the gold and is a nice complement to the color scheme.
The strap is comfortable to wear, and it molded to my wrist quickly.
I find it interesting that they opted for a classic buckle on the Business Timer. A deployant clasp would suit the watch well, especially because it’s likely to get a fair amount of wear. Considering the MSRP is north of $1,000 (even if only just), it also seems price appropriate.
Deployant or not, the buckle shows the same quality as the rest of the watch. The logo engraved on the buckle is even and free of defects. It looks quite regal.
I am a sucker for a classic dress watch, and the Classics Business Timer (appropriately named) jives with my tastes. I especially love the week counter, which surrounds the dial and is referenced by a black arrow with a red head.Frederique Constant Classics Buisness Timer
The day and date subdials are both finely grooved, as is the covered 2/3’s of the moonphase display. The rest of the dial is textured – like thick cardstock paper – and luxurious. The golden applied indices are free of defects and looks great. Aside from the gold hour/minute hands, the only other touch of gold on the dial is the moon and the stars in 6 o’clock moonphase display.
Without question, the Business Timer is a fine looking dress watch and an excellent example of how Frederique Constant can deftly execute on a classic look.
The Business Timer pairs with just about everything and looks great doing it. It’s sized perfectly and isn’t too tall. It tucks under a cuff and doesn’t tower off of your wrist.
For the $475 – $600 grey-market price it sells at, you have plenty of options from both large and microbrand manufacturers with an auto or mechanical that offer a similar combination of functions and styles. However, this Frederique Constant will be one of the only Swiss brands you’ll find, and it is one of the best looking options you’ll find, too.
Compared to the Slimline that I reviewed a few weeks ago, this FC is more upscale, complicated, and attractive. If I wanted a gold watch with an interesting complication to wear regularly, this would be on my list.
Our friends at Certified Watch Store sent us this Frederique Constant for my review. I wore the watch for a period of 2.5 weeks before writing this review.
We have an affiliate relationship with CWT. If you purchase the watch after clicking on a link to their site from ours, we will receive a small commission from that transaction. This is the primary method that we use to monetize the website and fund our costs (which, to date, has included nearly $5,000 in camera/lighting equipment, $50/mo software/hosting fees, etc.).
We understand that this may skew your perception of our review. We do not slant our reviews based on this relationship. If this makes you uncomfortable but you still want to buy the watch, simply do so from a non-affiliated store. However, we would sure appreciate if you supported WYCA – one of the only real hands-on review sites on the web – by shopping at our affiliate partners.
Frederique Constant Classics Quartz GMT
Last month, we were given word that the entirety of the Frederique Constant Classics lineup was getting a bit of a freshening up. Across the line, these are clean and competent pieces. However, for me, there was just one that jumped out and made me take notice – the Frederique Constant Classics Quartz GMT.
Now, long-time readers will know that I’m a big fan of a Frederique Constant Classics Quartz GMT watch. Which, in some regards, is a bit absurd. While I travelled occasionally, it’s not like I was some business jet setter. And of course, over the last year, I’ve not gone more than a single time zone away, and that was by car. So, whither the GMT? For one, I still just like it, as it’s a handy indicator of whether the watch is in the first 12 or second 12 hours (handing when setting a mechanical). Secondly, at work, our servers keep themselves on UTC time. So, a watch like this can help me to translate the server logs when I need to look at them.
Whatever the reason, it’s a handy complication to have, and one that shouldn’t add a tremendous amount to your servicing costs (I mean, it’s another gear, not a whole seperate module, basically). And, like a date window, you may not always need it, but you’ll appreciate it when it’s there. From my experience with prior FC watches, the case, dial, and handset all say to me, very much, that this is a Frederique Constant Classics Quartz GMT watch. It’s well-sorted, legible, and gives a subtle elegance to things.
Now, these are indeed powered by a quartz movement, but that’s no need to resort to hand-wringing. In fact, it helps keep the costs down, which is something we’ve seen rising over the past few years with their mechanical movements. The 40mm case should fit a variety of wrists, and the overall styling lends itself well to the office as well as dressier occasions, particularly on the steel bracelet. The leather straps, on the other hand, helps to get things a little more casual.
Interestingly enough, the Frederique Constant Classics Quartz GMT does NOT appear on the US site for whatever reason. It is there on the global site, so that’s what we’ve linked at the end of the article. That site lists things at 790 CHF, which is about $850. A little spendy for a quartz, but it’s what we have for entry level from FC (if you want sportier, go for stablemate Alpina) these days. For me, I rather like the look (blue dial all the way), and certainly wounldn’t – as John puts it – kick it out of bed for eating crackers.
Frederique Constant Classics Quartz Men watch
Frederique Constant is a Swiss company that specializes in selling and manufacturing affordable, luxury watches. Compared to many of the most famous Swiss watch manufacturers – such as Patek Phillipe – it is a very new company, as it was only founded in 1988 by Aletta Francoise Frédérique Stas-Bax and Peter Constant Stas.
Frederique Constant was purchased by Citizen watches in 2016, but even though the owner is now Japanese, Frederique Constant watches continue to be manufactured and designed in Geneva, which means that they are still very many Swiss watches.
If you look at a Frederique Constant watch, then it is apparent that the core values of the company have been represented in every level of design and construction. Frederique Constant is a watch company that has a clear ethos. The four most important elements that you will find in all Frederique Constant watches are attention to detail, cutting-edge innovation, precision design, and optimal quality.
Frederique Constant watches are available for men and women. When it comes to men’s watches you can purchase a wide variety of styles, including dress watches, as well as horological smartwatches. There is a huge choice of beautiful women’s watches too, and if you are seeking a luxury watch as a present for someone special in your life, then Frederique Constant watches are a superb choice.
Frederique Constant is a company with a conscience. Frederique Constant works most closely with heart-related charities, and it has been known to donate considerable amounts of money to these charities. It is a close partner with the World Heart Federation. Frederique Constant is known to run regular fundraising events in conjunction with the World Heart Federation which also raises awareness about heat-related illnesses.
What Makes Frederique Constant Watches so Special?
Frederique Constant manufacture luxury watches that have gone through a tremendous amount of quality control from each level of production, beginning at the design stage. This focus on design means that Frederique Constant watches are made with a lot of forethought, which often leads to a desire to innovate, leading to cutting-edge watches, just like the Frederique Constant horological smartwatch which was the very first smartwatch of its kind.
Unlike other smartwatches, the Frederique Constant horological smartwatch is able to monitor your movement and sleep through an analog dial, which means that it doesn’t feature a digital face, like most other smartwatches.
The fact that Frederique Constant watches manufacture affordable, luxury watches means that there is a lot that makes these Swiss watches so special. A signature design feature that has won countless awards for Frederique Constant is the Heart Beat movement that was first developed in 2001 but wasn’t featured in a Frederique Constant watch until 2005.
It isn’t the only innovative movement that you’ll find in Frederique Constant watches. In fact, there are more than fourteen original movements that are available on Frederique Constant watches. Worldtimer is another of the great movements that you might find on Frederique Constant watches.
Frederique Constant watches are also likely to contain some variation on the silicon escapement wheel that was first created by another manufacturer of Swiss watches, Patek Phillipe. This mechanism allows for a much more accurate and precise watch that will never lose time. Frederique Constant has also created a tourbillon that includes its innovative silicon escapement wheel.
The brilliance of Frederique Constant watches isn’t simply reliant upon the quality of the mechanisms or the attention to detail that is paid at every level of design and manufacturing. No, Frederique Constant watches are also extremely beautiful to look at, and they make a wonderful addition to anyone’s wrist.
These beautiful, Swiss watches aren’t just the preserve of men seeking dress watches either – which often the case with luxury watches. Frederique Constant sells both men’s and women’s watches, which means that you are able to purchase affordable, luxury watches made by Frederique Constant whoever you are.
Where Can I Buy Frederique Constant Watches?
Frederique Constant is a manufacturer of luxury watches, for that reason its watches are only available at official retailers. If you visit the Frederique Constant website, then you are able to purchase Frederique Constant watches direct from its online store. You will also find a page on the Frederique Constant watches website where you can put in your postcode and find the nearest retailers of its watches. There are also a number of online retailers where you can purchase Frederique Constant’s affordable, luxury watches at a lower price than the official retailers.
Frederique Constant watches come in a wide variety of styles. Not only can you buy dress watches or sport watches, but you can also purchase beautiful women’s watches too.
The top Frederique Constant men’s watches include the Classics Index Automatic which features an FC-316 automatic movement, as well as a solid gold case and a silver color dial.
Another top Frederique Constant men’s watch is the Classics Heart Beat Moonphase watch, which is an outstanding luxury watch with an automatic movement and water resistance up to 40atm.
The Classics Delight Automatic is another one of the top Frederique Constant watches that looks incredible due to the 25 jewels encrusted into it.
When it comes to women’s watches, there is a lot to choose from at Frederique Constant.
The Classics Art Deco oval is a top choice for women looking for a beautiful Swiss watch that keeps truly accurate time.
Another of the best Frederique Constant women’s watches is the Classics Carree, which is stunning in design, especially the model that features a gorgeous red leather strap. It is splashproof, has a silver dial, and has a stainless steel case.
There are so many amazing Frederique Constant men’s watches to choose from, that it is difficult to pick a single Frederique Constant watch that is the very best. The Frederique Constant Slimline Moonphase Quartz came very close to being the top pick. But when it comes to Frederique Constant men’s watches, then the Classic Hybrid Manufacture is simply the best.
It features an FC-730 Manufacture Caliber movement that is automatic and dates adjustable. The case is made from stainless steel but it has been given a rose gold polish to give it a stunning look. Overall, it is a beautiful watch that is a pure luxury at an affordable price.
Best Frederique Constant Watch for Women
When it comes to women’s watches, there is one Frederique Constant watch that towers about all others. It is the Double Heart Beat watch. Everything that the world loves about Swiss watches is evident in this timepiece which is a thing of beauty, as well as an accurate watch with an FC-303 movement.
