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. The Riva Historical Society provides the context for this batch of limited edition Frédérique Constant watches. 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. 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. The Frédérique Constant Group also has Alpina for sport watches and Ateliers DeMonaco for more haute horology stuff. 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 entry-level Swiss luxury watch market must be an incredibly intense space to operate in. 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 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.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. 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.
0 kommentar(er)
