Frederique Constant unveiled a new navy blue dial version of their Flyback Chronograph Manufacture this week.
The aesthetic of the dark blue dial with three white/silver subdials and a white/silver tachymeter ring breathes some life into a watch equipped with a great chronograph movement but styling that was getting a bit stale.
Underneath the dial — driving the hours, minutes, seconds, flyback chronograph, and date (by hand which keeps the dial free of a date window) — is the Frederique Constant Group’s in-house (manufacture) caliber FC-760 which has been around for years and powers watches by sister brand Alpina as well.
The 4Hz movement is automatic with a flyback chronograph and a date that’s adjustable by the crown. Finishing of the components includes perlage on the mainplate and circular Côtes de Genève decoration on the bridges, all visible through a sapphire caseback. There are 32 jewels and a 38-hour power reserve, the latter which could use an enhancement as that’s the baseline power reserve you see on the more basic movements.
The watch diameter is 42 mm with a box-type domed sapphire protecting the dial which features polished hands and applied indices. Flat pushers give the watch a nice angular feel compared to rounder designs the company made in the past. The push-in crown is polished and embossed with the FC logo. Water-resistance is rated to 50 meters.
As part of the release, a brown dial variant with a rose gold plated steel case was also announced, although that version has got that old look that feels out of place in today’s market. Not to mention plated gold is something you see more towards the bottom end of the watch market, not a watch that costs over four grand. Retail is approximately $4,250 (Ref. FC-760NS4H6) in stainless steel and $4,575 (Ref. FC-760CHC4H4) in stainless steel plated with rose gold.
You might also want to consider another product by Frederique Constant owned Alpina that offers a relatively new mono-pusher chronograph that’s attractive and offers a lot for the money. Its movement is made by the Citizen Group’s (who owns Frederique Constant and Alpina) movement division, La Joux Perret.
