![]() ![]() I imagine the dramatic taper off the sides is intended to help the watch slide under a cuff better. First, the bezel is thick, significantly rounded, and tall. I don’t necessarily mind the design, but I did find a few irritants about the size and flow of the case. The stainless steel case measures in at 42mm but is relatively thick for a dressier style watch. The decision created a slew of interesting models, including a Flyback Chronograph and a Worldtimer that both come in at less than $5,000 - a very competitive offering. Because of this approach, they aren’t limited to heavily modifying a Sellita or ETA to achieve the desired features. This allowed them to be a little more creative and offer a better-value product than many other brands in the same price bracket. About 15 years ago, Frederique Constant looked to set itself apart from the competition (because let’s be honest, the brand is in a pretty saturated space) by starting to manufacture movements in-house. They have done some creative things in their short time on the scene, and the Classic Moonphase Manufacture - a simple dress watch that features an in-house movement, at a fair price - is a case in point.īefore we get to the watch, I want to highlight why I find the brand so appealing. I’ve been drawn to the brand for a while. One of the more interesting dress watches of the year came from Frederique Constant. I often find myself in a suit, so I’m always looking for a solid dress watch to complete the ensemble. The case is water-resistant to 5 ATM and is available in rose gold and stainless steel (the FC-393RM5B6), the latter of which features pearl-black Arabic numerals and is served on a deep blue croco-calf strap with white stitching.Dress watches are a breed of their own, often avoided by bloggers and enthusiasts because of their delicate balance of clean and boring. It beats 28,800 times per hour and has a 46-hour power reserve. Inside the Runabout chrono is the automatic FC-393, which is a modified ETA 7750 and a powerboat of a movement in itself. (Then again, seconds don’t matter when you’re docked – they only matter when you’re Runabout-ing on the lake.) That spirit of performance is tastefully accentuated in the piston chronograph pushers and their own hobnail guilloché pattern for added grip. Interestingly enough, Frederique Constant also forwent the addition of a running seconds display. The final complication is a conservative date window at 3 o’clock, which doesn’t crowd the dial due to an absence of a 3 o’clock (and 9 o’clock) hour marker. Two chronograph-counter subdials are superimposed on the guilloché center – a 30-minute counter at 12 o’clock and a 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock both feature an inset ring pattern. ![]() ![]() Rose-gold plating decorates the dial in the form of applied Arabic numerals and lance alpha hour luminous hands. The dial features a recognized Frederique Constant design trait – a centered guilloché hobnail pattern in silver. One, the FC393RM5B4, comes in a round 42 mm rose-gold-plated steel case that is polished throughout. The Runabout range features two new chronograph models. Here’s a photo of one docked in front of what appears to be a Lamborghini GT350. If you’re not familiar with Carlo Riva, or handcrafted wooden powerboats at all for that matter, you should know that they exuded unmatched class on the water in the 1950s and '60s. The dock showcased models of Chris-Craft, Gar Wood and the renowned Riva, the latter of which Frederique Constant has sponsored by partnering with the Riva Historical Society (a Milan-based association that is dedicated to the preservation and restoration of classic runabout boats). Nearly 100 vintage runabouts and racers made it to this year’s event. While this new chronograph doesn't feature an in-house movement, it has a lot to offer.Ī few weeks back, Frederique Constant released its new “Runabout” range at the 42nd Annual Lake Tahoe Concours d’Elegance, a prestigious wooden boat show that the watchmaker has sponsored for the last four years. Now the brand is making waves again – only this time in the water. Without a doubt, Frederique Constant has demonstrated skill at catering to watch enthusiasts who desire both quality and accessible pricing. We showcased the brand's Classics Manufacture earlier in March and its Worldtimer complication last year. Frederique Constant has grabbed HODINKEE headlines in recent years by offering in-house movements at an affordable price point.
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