I tried on the FC Highlife Chrono (black panda dial) a few weeks ago and it was definitely lovely on the wrist. Personally think FC is an underrated brand and the price-quality ratio is pretty good imo (also can get a discount at retail too). I have FC Power Reserve Big Date and it’s an awesome dress piece.
FC and Alpina are underrated brands. Have both in my collection. I prefer 39mm chronometer model, it’s much thinner or would go for manufacture movements e.g worldtimer. Thanks for review. :)
I like the dial & case shape, but not the display caseback (it's a pet peeve for me). Any idea how they manage to extend the power reserve to 60 hours? Did they reduce the bph?
The dial is certainly a looker but the polished sides need some revision. Then there's the brand/logo. We've seen the marketing disaster that was early Christopher Ward. Apparently Citizen/Dutch founders of FC think we punters deserve a second chance. I love the FC Healey 12/6/9 3-hander, but with a make-believe, uncool name on the dial, I think I'll pass. I suspect that FC's preferred market is not Europe.
The name derives from the founder’s great grandparents first names (Frédérique Schreiner and Constant Stas). Interesting enough, Constant Stas founded a watch dial company.
@@juliuscaesar5360 Yes, I know, but thanks for the revision notes. I suppose we should be glad that the founders' ancestors weren't named Pol and Joseph. In US term, it's a Mall Watch name I'm afraid, and as an Brit, Constant was the name of a particularly terrible watch brand sold out of cheap shops in the 80s and 90s, so there's that. I'm now off to brand my range of organic haematoid creams after my grandparents Dorothy and Walter. How could they not sell?
@@ClickSpringReview I agree, and I don't get me wrong, I really do like some of their products very much, but I stand by the Christopher Ward comparison. They need a brand rethink and they could be a powerhouse. Again, well aware that I may not be their target audience.
@@RandallSlick Based on what I’ve heard from leadership, FC is trying to target young people, starting their first job ($1-$3k), and people who are maturing into their careers (ie their manufacturced calibers). I believe their revenue source is 50% Europe, 25% Asia region (including India) 15% US, and 10% rest of world. Volume right now is with the $1k-$3k range. Anecdotally, I’ve never seen FC at malls; only at smaller ADs/jewelry shops but I do get what you’re saying on the public perspective is non-existent and recognize they are in a competitive price category. However, based on seeing different FC models in the metal, I really think they are punching above their weight with many of their non-manufactured and manufactured caliber watches. On FC’s manufactured caliber watches, it’s honestly hard to find a true - in house movements (components made at the workshop) with multiple complications options in their price bracket (not even factoring a discount). In closing, I don’t think their name holds them back. I think it might be a combination of marketing strategy, lack of presence at larger ADs and the stigma of being apart of the Citizen Group. Also, I feel people in FC’s targeted age demographic are maybe not into watches (ie smart watches) and/or prefer sport model watches since the brand leans toward classical looking dress watches.
This a Tissot PRX chronograph for people who want to needlessly spend more money 😂 granted it’s a nice looking watch and the 2 straps is good but this price point is flooded with better looking watches from more mainstream brands - Longines conquest line for example is killing it at the moment
I have literally just purchased a FD runabout moon phase. My first Fred and first moon phase. Great video as always.
Ive not seen that one but will check it out
I tried on the FC Highlife Chrono (black panda dial) a few weeks ago and it was definitely lovely on the wrist. Personally think FC is an underrated brand and the price-quality ratio is pretty good imo (also can get a discount at retail too). I have FC Power Reserve Big Date and it’s an awesome dress piece.
They are often over looked which is a shame as they make some good looking models
FC and Alpina are underrated brands. Have both in my collection.
I prefer 39mm chronometer model, it’s much thinner or would go for manufacture movements e.g worldtimer.
Thanks for review. :)
I may see about reviewing one in the future Sir
I like the dial & case shape, but not the display caseback (it's a pet peeve for me). Any idea how they manage to extend the power reserve to 60 hours? Did they reduce the bph?
It’s a 4 hz movement so no reduced in bph. La-Joux Perret probably just increased the barrel for the power reserve.
@@juliuscaesar5360this
Are you sure it's not called the Frederique Constant Up Market HighLife GoodVibes Old Money Classic Style Chrono?
Nothing wrong with Classic Old School 👍🏻
Hi Barry, not bad, but there are chronos that I'd rather give a good home to. Have a good weekend, LG Bob 🍻 🍻🍻
Sinn 910 SRS 😎
@@ClickSpringReview It's funny you should say that! 🥂
The name and awkward date window aside this is a great piece
The name is derived from the founder’s great grandparents first names and one of them had a watch dial company.
Misalighned minute and hour totaliser would annoy me, but im definitely nit picking ;)
Hi Greg what makes you say they are misalign they looked correct to me sir
@ClickSpringReview the hour totaliser looked slightly to the left of the 12? Might just be the camera angle tho :)
The dial is certainly a looker but the polished sides need some revision. Then there's the brand/logo. We've seen the marketing disaster that was early Christopher Ward. Apparently Citizen/Dutch founders of FC think we punters deserve a second chance. I love the FC Healey 12/6/9 3-hander, but with a make-believe, uncool name on the dial, I think I'll pass. I suspect that FC's preferred market is not Europe.
You could be right about the marketing, I think its a underrated brand, this one just felt pure quality
The name derives from the founder’s great grandparents first names (Frédérique Schreiner and Constant Stas). Interesting enough, Constant Stas founded a watch dial company.
@@juliuscaesar5360 Yes, I know, but thanks for the revision notes. I suppose we should be glad that the founders' ancestors weren't named Pol and Joseph. In US term, it's a Mall Watch name I'm afraid, and as an Brit, Constant was the name of a particularly terrible watch brand sold out of cheap shops in the 80s and 90s, so there's that. I'm now off to brand my range of organic haematoid creams after my grandparents Dorothy and Walter. How could they not sell?
@@ClickSpringReview I agree, and I don't get me wrong, I really do like some of their products very much, but I stand by the Christopher Ward comparison. They need a brand rethink and they could be a powerhouse. Again, well aware that I may not be their target audience.
@@RandallSlick Based on what I’ve heard from leadership, FC is trying to target young people, starting their first job ($1-$3k), and people who are maturing into their careers (ie their manufacturced calibers). I believe their revenue source is 50% Europe, 25% Asia region (including India) 15% US, and 10% rest of world. Volume right now is with the $1k-$3k range.
Anecdotally, I’ve never seen FC at malls; only at smaller ADs/jewelry shops but I do get what you’re saying on the public perspective is non-existent and recognize they are in a competitive price category. However, based on seeing different FC models in the metal, I really think they are punching above their weight with many of their non-manufactured and manufactured caliber watches. On FC’s manufactured caliber watches, it’s honestly hard to find a true - in house movements (components made at the workshop) with multiple complications options in their price bracket (not even factoring a discount).
In closing, I don’t think their name holds them back. I think it might be a combination of marketing strategy, lack of presence at larger ADs and the stigma of being apart of the Citizen Group. Also, I feel people in FC’s targeted age demographic are maybe not into watches (ie smart watches) and/or prefer sport model watches since the brand leans toward classical looking dress watches.
This a Tissot PRX chronograph for people who want to needlessly spend more money 😂 granted it’s a nice looking watch and the 2 straps is good but this price point is flooded with better looking watches from more mainstream brands - Longines conquest line for example is killing it at the moment
I do prefer the movement in the FC as you don't have a date pusher like you do on the PRX plus its much smaller to
No. None of that is true. You're literally making things up.
FC and Longines are both in that funny no man’s land price point. They’re not cheap or beater watches but nor are they luxurious or scarce either.
@@Jimbobrasil FC do have some very nice in-house movements which is pretty cool