Frederique Constant Slim Line

Frederique Constant has been in my radar for while.  But little is very known about the brand even if you ask some collectors around. And knowing that even though FC is still a very young brand compared to its neighboring brands, they have something  worth noting and appreciating.

Frederique Constant, from its name sounds like it belonged from the holy trinity of horology but it isn't. The brand's name didn't even come from the brand's founders or per se legendary watchmakers back in the 1800's.  Frederique Constant was created in 1991 by the couple Aletta and Peter Stas.  They got the name from the first name of each of their great grandparents namely, Frederique Schreiner and Constant Stas. Peter's great grandfather, Constant, founded a company in 1904 that was making printed clock dials for the industry, but it wasn't actually from that company that this brand was born from, it simply was from the same ingredient why you are reading this article today and why I am writing this article at this very moment... The passion for watches.

Now as we all know, almost anything that has a 'Swiss' on dial today has a luxurios price tag on it.  And some 20 years ago, during the quartz crisis, Peter and Aletta saw the opportunity to dive into the crisis by introducing affordable luxury timepieces that could rival what the quartz watches from the east had to offer and still have that classic and timeless design and manufacture that you could only get from a Swiss made watch.

And so, for my 43rd Watch Recommendation, it is the Frederique Constant Slim Line Automatic with reference no. FC345NS5S6.

What drew me to this watch?  FC has different variants offering but mostly in the lines of iconic and classic designs that will withstand the styles of the times.  And it was actually the simplicity and cleaness of the design of the watch that makes it a proper dress watch.

The dial is a simple 2 hander for hour and minutes with a small seconds subdial at 6 o'clock and date aperture at 3 o'clock.  The thin indices are done correctly too that fits the whole package.

The movement is an ETA 2892-2 that has been tastefully finished with FC rotor as you can clearly see on the exhibition caseback.  I also like how the caseback is secured with 6 screws with italic typography all over. Not a screw caseback that are for sport watches and not snap on casebacks from vintage ones.

Heres a sample of that FC rotor.

Heres a 360 view I found over the net.

What I also like about FC is that they also have inhouse movements powering their watches that certainly impresses watch connoisseurs all around and that deserves another story of its own.

I recommend this Slim Line Automatic as it is a humble representation of what Frederique Constant is all about, living the passion on watches that is accessible and  is still considered a luxury.

And, they maybe hundreds of independ brands sprouting all over, but I believe Frederique Constant is the brand of our generation.  We certaintly weren't there when Patek or Vacheron was founded, and its great to see that in our period of digital luxury, a mechanical art and tradition continues to be born and tuly will be valued for decades or centuries to come.

WWR# 24: Kobold Soarway GMT

I really find the Watch Snob column over at askmen.com very entertaining and insightful at the same time as we see a character, no one knows if he's real or  just another creation, who lives higher in the food chain and basks in a lifestyle where nothing is acceptable unless it is haute.  And while so, he accepts questions from readers asking about his opinion on advice from the lowest forms of watches to haute horlogerie.  But something new and quite very interesting was his column a couple of weeks ago.  It was a watch challenge from a watch manufacturer himself.  This is quite the first time that a watch manufacturer has communicated with the Watch Snob aside from the askmen readers.

That company was Kobold, who is obviously founded by Michael Kobold.  What was the challenge?  well basically Mr. Kobold wrote a letter to the Watch Snob telling him some surprising information about his company and his watches and gladly sending the snob an actual Kobold watch for some scrutiny and criticsm. That is one bold step I would say but goes to show how confident Mr. Kobold really is with his creations.

Well, I know someone would hint me at the back and say that this could be one whole marketing stunt, but none the less, the letter that Mr. Kobold sent made me change the whole impression of what Kobold watches really are.  You can check out his letter here.

After reading the lengthy letter, I have to say only a few of these types of companies really do what they are passionate about.  I mean, I am passionately sure that in majority of watch manufacturers in the market right now have hugely big profit margin with insanely prices that even an expert cost accountant could not justify, to where only a high profile businessman could just give you a smirk.  Is there really a watch out there where we could physically get our money's worth?

So for my 24th WWR, it's non other than the Kobold Soarway GMT watch.  Aside from the striking good looks that pointed out to me while I was looking at their line up, the totally of how Kobold manufactures their cases in USA with great quality and powered by a bulletproof swiss ETA movement and at a price that normally would come out a few times over is a great deal itself.

More on the watch, I like the sunray textured blu dial with an unmarked bezel with only a lume pip at 12'o clock for a classy function for marking elapsed time.  And paired with a brown leather strap is somewhat awkwardly matched but I think came out really great.  and a GMT hand for those who want to know the home time the old fashioned way.  And of course, change the strap for rubber or nylon and you can dive it in with its 500m WR rating.  I have also attached some pictures of another version of the Soarway GMT with a grey bezel matched with a grey zulu strap, strikingly calm and military cool I have to say.  Both watches are a sure winner.

Technical specs:
Case Diameter of about 46mm w/o crown, stainless steel
24 mm lug width
500m WR
Movement ETA 2893-A2, Automatic, Hacking, Date, GMT, 40hr PR, INCABLOC Shock Resistant System
Antimagnetic 80,000 a/m


Priced at $4,550, I say value is claimed to your it should be.

I'm still looking forward for the results of the challenge but I'm confident that even though the Watch Snob might have something bad to say about it, well he ain't a snob just for nothing, kobold watches will be at the higher end of our scores for the average men that compose most of the watch wearing market everywhere.

And, I would like to end this quote from Oscar Wilde, that would gladly fit our WWR topic for today.

"Nowadays, people know the price of everything and the value of nothing"

WWR #12: Halios Laguna 500M Watch

I saw a prototype of this model months back from another dive watch website and it instantly captured my WIS senses.  It's design that is perfectly simple and yet unique is what attracted me to it. It kinda reminds me of a BMW M3, sedan on the outside, outstanding sports car in the inside.  The Halios Laguna looks like an ordinary 3 handed watch from the front, but surprise you, this thick and big watch under that simple dial can go 500M. 

What i love about it?
- Big and thick casind, 43mm and 14.5mm respectively
- 4mm thick sapphire crystal
- Simple dial design with inner rotating reflector, doing away with the usual divers external bezel
- Excellent lume
- Screw down crown design (watch it from the video review)
- Case design is unique
- WR500M, and doesn't look like one
- And the price at $670

 

Specifications from Halios Website:

• Comfortable, modern size: 43mm width, 49mm lug-to-lug, 14.5mm thickness
• Highly scratch-resistant 4mm sapphire crystal
• Swiss ETA 2824-2 automatic movement
• Internal rotating bezel operated by non-screwdown, bi-directional crown at 2 o’clock
• 500M water-resistance
• C3 Superluminova-coated hands, dial and bezel markers for optimal low-light visibility
• Ships with: HALIOS bracelet, genuine Isofrane® 1968 rubber strap and tools
  
  All in all, this is really a value for your money.  And you are sure this ain't any next door Rolex or Timex that you  would see from your neighbor's wrist.  Something you can uniquely call your own Laguna.

Here's an excellent review by James Stacey from WatchReport.com.



That's all for this week.  Hail to Halios for this impressive watch!

WWR #1: Hamilton Khaki Field Officer H70615733

For the first weekly watch recom its model number H70615733 Khaki Field Officer Auto from Hamilton. The american watch brand who now belongs under the Swatch Group umbrella continues to provide us with offerings that are still true to the American style it was created and being under the powerful Swatch group, means you can't go wrong with quality, durability and class. Specs of the watch are as follows.

Dial window material type: Scratch-Resistant Sapphire Crystal
Case: Stainless-Steel; 44mm;
Case back: Exhibition Caseback
Lug width: 22mm
Band material: Black Leather Band w/ Rivets
Dial color: Black; 24hr Subdial
Calendar: Date
Movement: Automatic ETA 2824, Handwind and Hackable
Water resistant depth: 330 Feet

Why buy this watch? If you don't have a military inspired watch yet, this is a good starter. Aside from lots of offerings from Japanes watch brands, if you want something with a 'Swiss Made' badge and has an ETA movement that hacks and winds, this one will definitely do. This won't break the bank. I've seen some shops offering this at around $600. The design is simple, modern and will hold on for a long time. So surely it will be a keeper.

What I love about it, the big hour markers with inner military hour markers and outer minute markers, a sure military look. The hands, simple and effective. Brushed case finish for that rugged look. Decent leather strap, thick and sturdy (thanks to the double buckle hole system) to compliment the whole watch. Will definitely look good on natos or zulus! And it's fathers day today, buy your dad one, or if your one, treat yourself!

                     Here is a screenshot of Ryan Reynolds sporting the watch in the movie "Buried"

View the watch at the Hamilton site:
http://www.hamiltonwatch.com/en/gents/khaki/field/officer-auto/H70615733