aBlogtoRead.com &#187; Frederique Constant

FREDERIQUE CONSTANT Mens Index Quartz Watch NEW
$815.00
Time Remaining: 8h 34m
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Frederique Constant Ladies Date Model Carree Rose FC 220CHD2ECD4 with Diamonds
$2,650.00
Time Remaining: 11h
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Mens Frederique Constant Highlife Heart Beat Watch
$1,795.00
Time Remaining: 12h 37m
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Frederique Constant Ref FC 235M36 Wristwatch
$132.49 (8 Bids)
Time Remaining: 13h 50m

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$252.00 (18 Bids)
Time Remaining: 18h
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Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

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Frederique Constant Healey Chrono Watch Review

admin — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 08:02:06 +0000

As the official timer of the "Healey Challenge" race in the UK, Frederique Constant has been making Austin Healey themed timepieces for a little while now. I have always been fascinated with the collection given their solid good looks and classically sporty styles. If you recall, some versions of the watches comes with little model Austin Healey cars, while others came with the Frederique Constant built "Stoptimer." When asked why the 'stoptimer' is called that versus a stopwatch, the Frederique Constant rep I asked just shrugged. It just goes to further my theory that much of the watch and product naming practices in Switzerland make no sense!

Frederique Constant is located in Geneva and makes a lot of watches. They are one of the only Swiss brands that I know that isn't afraid to experiment - and experiment they do. Products generations are often short, and they like to play around with parts. Whether this is good or bad depends on how you look at it. It does offer customers a lot of choices and a lot of new products. Frederique Constants also gets to test the market. This is often better than a brand taking forever to release a watch, and then sit there and have to mercilessly defend it as the public hates it. Sometimes asking for a few outside opinions on design isn't a bad idea. Anyhow, back to 'choco-Healey' over here.

This version of the Frederique Constant (FC) Healey is the Chronograph (Chrono), and comes with its "chocolate" brown dial. It has a rose-gold plated case that is 43mm wide and a nice elegant looking case. According the FC the case is hand-polished. It has a sapphire crystal that looks to have bottom coated AR, and a rich, easy to read dial. At 43mm wide, the case doesn't actually sit very large - though it does have long and nicely curved lugs so that it wears comfortably, but doesn't look like a small watch.

Actually, because the watch is rather thick, it does sit high off the wrist and feels large. I don't recall a watch that in my mind keeps going back and forth between large and medium sized as much as this Healey Chrono. The case is water resistant to 100 meters. On the back of the case is a small porthole to view the movement that is right over the escapement. The caseback also has an engraving of the UK Healey Owners club. As a limited edition, the watch is individually numbered out of 1,888 pieces. 1988 was the year the brand was established.

Overall the case is quite nice, save for the crown. While the crown and pushers are designed to flow together nicely, the crown is too small and set too close to the case. It is easy enough to pull out to adjust the time, but it isn't ideal for manually winding the watch if necessary (though this timepiece does have an automatic movement in it).

The dial of the watch is the best part for me. The brown face is nice as mixed with the rose gold tones hands and applied large hour indicators. The chronograph subdials are well-designed and easy to read, while the hands and numerals are applied with luminant. FC designed the date to be in the lower subdial, which is nice. There is also an applied little Healey logo which is cute and adds a dash of color. I think that FC could have made the hands longer. These are re-purposed dauphine hands from other FC watch models. The lume segments in them are thin - but actually designed to accept tritium gas tubes. It would be great for FC to put some tubes in the hands of this collection as lume. A sloped flange ring with minute indicators rounds out the dial design well.

Of course, inside the Healey Chrono is a Swiss ETA Valjoux 7750 automatic movement. The watch is made complete with a chocolate brown leather strap with portholes and contrast stitching. Overall the design of the FC Healey is quite nice - certainly on of their best out right now. The stoptimer - screw it, I am just going to call it a "stopwatch" - has a manually wound movement that is wound via a key in the back. The style and tones of it match the watch. It has a thirty minute stopwatch feature and is a bit archaic in design - though it does have a flyback mechanism. First of all, I wish FC would have labeled the pushers. Unlike most stopwatches that have a "start and stop" pusher, this one has separate pushers for each, and I forget which button does what. The flyback pusher doubles as the reset pusher when the stopwatch is stopped. None of this really matters because the stopwatch is sort of a fun add-on to the set. No one will really use it, and for most people, it will just be a fun toy given that you don't see mechanical timers very often anymore (if at all).

Price for the rose-gold plated Frederique Constant Healey Chrono is $2,995, while the non-plated steel version with a silver dial is $2,895. This chocolate one is really the way to go.

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

Frederique Constant Maxime Manufacture Watches Hands-On

admin — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 09:10:32 +0000

Back in 2009 I wrote about the in-house FC-700 automatic movement by Frederique Constant, as well as the Maxime Manufacture watch that it came in. Since then Frederique Constant released the Maxime Manufacture watch (in steel at 42mm wide), and the Maxime Manufacture Lady (in various materials at 39mm wide). Here you see images of them both. For under $3,000 (about $4,500 even for fancy versions with diamonds), this is a really nice deal for a manufacture movement.

I admire the decoration on the movement and the rotor for the price, and that the brand takes the movement seriously. The watch itself is very classic and simple. The idea is for it to be easy to live with, comfortable, and traditional in appearance. Instead of just being a three-hand watch, it tells the time (no seconds), and the date. The layout and choice might be a bit quirky, but the brand needed to separate themselves from everyone else who was doing an in-house movement. I assumed (and still assume), that the movement will serve as a base for future complications. Perhaps in 2011 we will see that. 2010 didn't see too much new "in-house" action on the Frederique Constant side, but sister brand Alpina did have some in-house movements to show off.

The Maxime Manufacture Lady is elegant, but not in a highly feminine way. I mean it does have mother-of-pearl, and diamonds, but it is basically a shrunken down men's model with jewelry accents. This isn't necessarily bad, but it better suited toward women who want a woman's version of a men's watch. Plus, there are certainly men who will be happy to wear a 39mm wide watch like this with the jewelry elements. I hear stories that brands tell me about the Asian market where men are often drawn to pieces such as this. That is why you see so many watches referred to as being "unisex." That way the pieces don't corner themselves into a gender role. The strap on these women's pieces is galuchat (stingray).

What initially drew me to the Maxime Manufacture collection was the attractive movement, guilloche engraved dial, and smooth looking case. Those elements are still my favorite parts of the watch. Frederique Constant should focus on adding complication, testing new hands, and playing with the dial when moving forward with future iterations of the Maxime Manufacture collection. Prices for the steel men's models are $2,500, which is a pretty nice value (overall most of the pieces from the brand are a nice value).

FREDERIQUE CONSTANT Geneve DATE SS Swiss Made 2824 Automatic Men Watch
$143.50 (20 Bids)
Time Remaining: 6h 36m

FREDERIQUE CONSTANT Mens Index Quartz Watch NEW
$815.00
Time Remaining: 8h 34m
Buy It Now for only: $815.00
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Frederique Constant Ladies Date Model Carree Rose FC 220CHD2ECD4 with Diamonds
$2,650.00
Time Remaining: 11h
Buy It Now for only: $2,650.00
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Mens Frederique Constant Highlife Heart Beat Watch
$1,795.00
Time Remaining: 12h 37m
Buy It Now for only: $1,795.00
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Frederique Constant Ref FC 235M36 Wristwatch
$132.49 (8 Bids)
Time Remaining: 13h 50m

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$252.00 (18 Bids)
Time Remaining: 18h
Buy It Now for only: $500.00
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Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

Frederique Constant Healey Chrono Automatic Watch For 2010

admin — Tue, 25 May 2010 07:11:47 +0000

For a few years now Frederique Constant has been in cahoots with the UK based Healey Challenge. An annual race operated by the Healey Drivers Club. What does Frederique Constant get do in this scene? Well make special limited edition watches that might be of interesting ti the Healey divers. I actually wrote about their last offering here, the most basic Frederique Constant Austin Healey watch. That was a three-handed model where this is a chronograph. Really when I think of race or motorcar themed watches, they have chronograph mechanisms. Thankfully Frederique Constant didn't insert the passe tachymetre scale on the bezel. Finally someone realizes that not all car oriented watches have to look like an Omega Speedmaster or Tag Heuer Carrera.

While lots of classic car lovers are familiar with Austin Healey and cars, like the 3000 (below) and the Sprite, I would say that a club that races the cars and are dedicated only to them is the very definition of Niche. The brand has been "no longer" for a long time and it is interesting to consider a dedicated group of people that year after year obsess over the same cars. Still they are a fun bunch of little roadsters that certainly help remind of a time back in the 1950s and 1960s when small sporty cars were a European specialty. While the special limited edition Frederique Constant Healey Chrono Automatic is made for the small club, there are going to 1,888 pieces available in each version. Meaning that the brand wants more than just a few people to pick this piece us. Good thing that the watch styling is handsome enough for plenty of people to get into them.

In a 43mm wide case, the watch comes in a classic looking polished steel or rose gold platedÂ case. To me, the styling of the case feels reminiscent of the headlight assembly (especially the metal frame) on the car. See what I mean? Style is handsome, functional, utterly conservative, with a tiny little sense of being avant garde - very British, even though it was made and designed by the Swiss. Fans of classic race themed watches will feel right at home with this timepieces.

While this isn't the first year for the Healey Chrono Automatic watch, this year it comes with a special guest. Apparently, when you buy the watch, you get a hand-made stopwatch (which Frederique Constant called a "stoptimer"). Yes, I know the watch itself already has one of those, but how often to you get the chance to get a mechanical stopwatch that isn't found in a state sponsored sale of items from your local public school's athletic department after much needed modernizing.

I cropped the images of the watches here based on images Frederique Constant sent me, but the originals had the watches draped and hanging off a beautifully polished Austin Healey like it was the body of a woman. The perfect accessory next to goggles and driving gloves for the car? Sure. Like I said about the previous models, these are watches that have a character that actually fits with that thing they are said to be in honor of. The watch dial, with its large applied Arabic numerals and dagger hands also has a logo of the UK Healey Challenge race.

Inside the watch is a Swiss Valjoux 7750 automatic with the dated moved to the lower center of the dial. The steel version has a silvered dial while the rose gold plated version has a "chocolate dial." Each is matched to a portholed leather strap and comes in a cool box with the 'stoptimer.' Not totally sure about price, but it will be in the $3,000 - $4,000 range.

Austin Healey 3000 MkIII BJ8 1965 Blue Ivory 143 Spark
$71.08
Time Remaining: 1h 31m
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Austin Healey 3000 BJ7 BJ8 Distributor Drive Dog Roll Pin Peg 4G1636
$5.53
Time Remaining: 4h 25m
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MAGNECOR IGNITION HT LEADS Austin Healey 3000
$94.77
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1966 Austin Healey 3000 MKIII Factory Photo
$7.99
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AUSTIN HEALEY 3000 REAR AXLE SPRING BUFFERS
$24.99
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AUSTIN HEALEY 3000 1964 Sebring 33 Hopkirk Clark 143 white metal handbuilt
$169.99
Time Remaining: 6h 8m
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Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

Frederique Constant Maxime Manufacture Watch Collection At Basel + Video

admin — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 07:09:17 +0000

Frederique Constant has something to be proud about. At the very least it should be somethingÂ that is exiting to fine watch consumers. While not the only company to offer relatively low cost in-house made movements, their new Maxine Manufacture Collection watches are beautifully made and feature a totally in-house made Swiss movement for under 2000 Euros. Typically the cost for in-house made manufacture movements is much higher.

The new movement is the FC-700 automatic, and is the accumulation of over three years of development. What surprises me is the look and feel of the movement. The focus on aesthetics in the layout of the elements (such as the placement of the balance wheel) is complimented by a level of decoration not expected at these modest price points. The gold rotor, perlage and other polishing, and use of blue screws makes viewing the movement a pleasure. Nothing makes me feel better than taking off my watch and showing it to a friend (especially those that don't know about watches) - allowing them to discover an impressive mechanical movement visible through a caseback window.

On the dial itself the watch is simple but functional. The decoration again is well done, and the 42mm wide case is a good size. Typically new in-house movements are framed modestly until more and more complications can be features. Still, the dial features a healthy level of guilloche machine engraving, and the applied Arabic hour markers really make the watch feel substantial. Further features like a classically styled tapered crown and curved alligator strap that matches the shape of the case with no gaps are features found on watches costing a lot more. The style of the watch is prefect for anyone looking for a nice sober design that will look good for year, but doesn't want to call too much attention (but would rather appreciate the subtle benefits of a good watch). I also think that the watch would be good as an entry to luxury watches for anyone. This are things that Frederique Constant are particularly good at, even as they continue to develop their product live.

In the video you can see the watch being displayed and discussed, it is a good looker sure, and people should be aware of what it takes to develop an in-house movement. In this case it is three years. Much of that time is dedicated to testing the movement to ensure accuracy and reliability over the long run. Brands like Nomos (German) have been making in-house movements for a while that have a prices similar to that of Frederique Constant. However, those watches lack some of the decoration that Swiss watches are known for. Further, the automatic Nomos watch movements typically run higher than these FC-700 movements. So while lower cost in-house movements aren't unprecedented, Frederique Constant is certainly adding its own special elements to the industry's overall offerings. No doubt that future models with in-house movements from Frederique Constant will build off of the FC-700 movement with additional complications.

FREDERIQUE CONSTANT Geneve DATE SS Swiss Made 2824 Automatic Men Watch
$143.50 (20 Bids)
Time Remaining: 6h 36m

FREDERIQUE CONSTANT Mens Index Quartz Watch NEW
$815.00
Time Remaining: 8h 34m
Buy It Now for only: $815.00
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Frederique Constant Ladies Date Model Carree Rose FC 220CHD2ECD4 with Diamonds
$2,650.00
Time Remaining: 11h
Buy It Now for only: $2,650.00
Buy It Now

Mens Frederique Constant Highlife Heart Beat Watch
$1,795.00
Time Remaining: 12h 37m
Buy It Now for only: $1,795.00
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Frederique Constant Ref FC 235M36 Wristwatch
$132.49 (8 Bids)
Time Remaining: 13h 50m

frederique constant carrie dual time fc 205ms4c25
$252.00 (18 Bids)
Time Remaining: 18h
Buy It Now for only: $500.00
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Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

Frederique Constant Austin Healey Limited Edition Gets Tribute Watch Right

admin — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 08:27:15 +0000

Watch makers like to attach themselves to cars whenever possible. Not that watches are like cars, but the idea is that people who appreciate cars can probably also appreciate watches. I have an idea why that is. Most cars can take you from "a to point b." Likewise, most watches will tell you the time. It is up to the connoisseur to make a determination on whether a specific car or watch performs its function well. That is the difference, and most of you know the pleasure of driving a car that takes pleasure in driving.

It is for that reason that watch makers like to latch on to cars of legendary esteem, and pay tribute. The Austin Healey 3000 is the car to which Swiss watch maker Frederique Constant makes tribute with the new Frederique Constant Austin Healey watch. While the British sports car maker had many hit, especially here in the US (the Sprite to mention another popular model), the 3000 was one of the most beautiful. The best modern car to compare it with would be a Mazda Miata. The Austin Healey 3000 was sold through the late 60s, and offered the type of nimble handling in a great looking roadster that no American car could match. Although the 3000 did not include an enormously powerful engine, it was more a handling car, than a speed demon. Inside, drivers were acquainted with a classy interior only a European car could deliver at the time. From a wooden dash, to a thin steering wheel, it was an achievable dream car for many (give the reasonable price). It was an "everyman's" weekend car.

I am glad that Frederique Constant chose a real driver's car that impacted the lives of many, instead of some elusive super car that only a handful of people have actually driven. For the many collectors that own restored Austin Healey, this will make an excellent companion, and serve as a nice reminder for those who used to have one.

I've never owned an Austin Healey, but my father did when I was a kid. And I recall sitting in the driver's seat as a child and feeling excited that someday I may get to own a car such as that. It was a regular guy's cool car, and it was the best of an era. While he sold the car long ago, I still remember it, and he will appreciate this watch.

As for the watch itself, it shares the same approach as the Austin Healey 3000. A simple and effective design that parallels the ideals of the Austin Healey 3000. The look is mildly reminiscent of some Jaeger leCoultre watches, and the strap is a pure racing strap with the large port holes. The watch dispenses with many of the gimmicks that a lot of racing watches have, such a chronograph with a tachymeter (that no one really uses).

The large outlines font for some of the numbers as well as the faceted hour markers are a nice touch, and give it a sports sophisticated look. I am not in love with the "triple date window," but it does help with keeping the watch face symmetrical. The case is a good 43mm in size, the crystal is sapphire, and the water resistance is 100m meters. Interestingly enough, the ETA automatic movement (probably an ETA 2824-2) is decorated with perlage and cotes de Geneva polishing. A nice touch for this price point which is about $1000-$1500.

The case is 18k gold plated, which is enough for me. The two color options are a black face and white face. Both work very well with the aesthetic of the car, which itself came in more than two colors. Frederique Constant has always represented excellent value through its watches as they offer reasonable prices for a good product. The Austin Healey Limited Edition watches will only have 1,888 pieces which will likely go quickly. The best part is that the watch presentation box comes with a model of the car. Now that is cool.