Frédérique Constant???

[paulpsz008]

What are peoples thoughts on Frédérique Constant? http://www.frederique-constant.com/en/index.php

They seem good value but have never heard anyone mention them?

[cyberface]

Just looked through their website and they claim that they've switched from another bung-an-ETA-in me-too company to a proper manufacture in 2001. And they are refreshingly open about their own movement (the heart beat movement) - not sure what it's based on, but it's certainly different enough to warrant respect.

Their new tourbillon on their own movement will be interesting to see (it's got a pretty damn fast beat rate for a tourbillon) as will their prices, they bang on about value for money, and are promoting the high-tech CNC mass-production of components as a virtue, which is odd for the Swiss...

They could seriously do with someone checking their website for typos - having 'Exeptional Value' (sic) on their main sidebar is inexcusable - but if they are really making their own movements, then the price points they target become rather interesting (at least to me).

Typically for me, I've only looked at the technical stuff about their movements, and haven't browsed their collection to see if they sell any watch designs I'd actually like to wear on my wrist - let's hope it's not all bling and OTT crap - a nice simple design with an interesting movement and display back would be great at their stated price points (€500 - €3000).

[paulpsz008]

Cheers for your comments Cyberface.

The designs of the dress watches seem very simple, (It was what attracted me in the first place).

I'm looking for something intresting but the real low end of the market and this
http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/detail/R/541...
seemed to suit?

[tertius]

I've come across them before, they seem like decent enough watches, but nothing that really sets them apart from a hundred others.

They also own the Alpina brand one of which I have just bought. Very nicely made watch, though it was bought sight unseen and is proving to be not really for me unfortunately.

If you like the style I would certainly consider it, though I'd imagine for the money (not knowing what they charge) I would imagine you could something used from one of the better known manufactures.

[cyberface]

paulpsz008 said:

Cheers for your comments Cyberface.

The designs of the dress watches seem very simple, (It was what attracted me in the first place).

I'm looking for something intresting but the real low end of the market and this
http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/detail/R/541...
seemed to suit?

Well I've had a look at their 'collection' - and the vast minority are the 'proper' inhouse 'heart beat' and tourbillon movements - all precious metal watches appear to be plated rather than solid, and the majority of their collection are quartz or (almost certainly) ETA automatics.

Personally I'd only consider them for their own movement. There are plenty of much cheaper watches available if you're going to just get a quartz, and finer ETA-movement watches available second-hand.

That said, their rose-gold (maybe plated, but who cares at the price) tourbillion round watch is nice, if maybe a little too big.

Don't pay for the name. The jewel in their crown is that new movement of theirs... if you're not considering that, I'd steer well clear.

[paulpsz008]

I've never really looked at the secound hand market?

But given I was looking for my first real watch they seemed good value for an intresting Automatic.

Is there anything else out that would compete for a similar price range,
I guess with some work I could find one for £500-600 (heartbeat movement) if Ernest Jones are knocking them out at £625??

[cyberface]

paulpsz008 said:

I've never really looked at the secound hand market?

But given I was looking for my first real watch they seemed good value for an intresting Automatic.

Is there anything else out that would compete for a similar price range,
I guess with some work I could find one for £500-600 (heartbeat movement) if Ernest Jones are knocking them out at £625??

Sounds good value for their own movement - unless it's a lightly modified ETA (which it appears not to be) then that's a good entry point into interesting movements... and with those sorts of brands at Ernest Jones, you should be able to haggle them down a bit!

The trouble with watches with exposed movements on the front (like tourbillons, and the heart opening) is that it can waste a lot of your time because it's mesmerising... if you're mad like me. I can watch a tourbillon go round for hours. Not that I can afford one (other than the current Chinese tourbillon, which I haven't seen in a nice enough case to bother with yet) of course.