Hot Take: Frederique Constant Slimline Monolithic Manufacture
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 เม.ย. 2021
- #NSOW #frederiqueconstant #hottake
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The intro music to the new intro is the song "Manos" by Franco, the outro music is also by Franco, that's his song 'Historias' you can find them both here:
www.tribeofnoise.com/FRaNCo - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
I know I’m in the minority but I like the look! And definitely like the movement!
The look is great and classic. I love it.
Definitely not in the minority. Beautiful watch!
How do you know you are in the minority?
Not in the minority, lol.
I'm not sure why it's a failure of design. I think it looks rather handsome myself. It's obviously a play on the open heart or tourbillon concept, and I know there are some that don't like that aesthetic either, but I wouldn't consider that a failure. At this price point, and with that technology, it's a bargain. Also, if these escapements catch on, you can say you owned one of the first massed produced models.
Funny thing is, I'm 29 yrs. old and I really love the old-fashioned. On the budget side of the spectrum, I think of it as the Tissot Le Locle.
great video, I would add that the fluid second hand (40hz!!!) its another unique groundbreaking feature...
Movement is impressive. I like it
It is
Old fashioned it maybe but it is still a pretty looking watch, a marriage of new and old unlike s lot of so called bigger brands that are just reissuing watches from their back catalogue.
On point 👌
Karl said it all minus the sparring that I don't do. But you have the best watch channel by far as I said before. Thank you for your great content
Hi Pete, i did find it interesting that FC chose what to me is an "old school" design and mated it with this really interesting dare I say revolutionary escapement. My belief is they intentionally mashed them up as a nod to the lack of escapement change in well over a hundred years. I think that's why the package sit well with me, an affordable node to the past, with the future in plain sight. The sweep alone, made me immediately think of GS and their spring drive smoothness, i am really looking forward to seeing this in action and where this technology goes, hope all is well, cheers 🍻
Not sure if it was the point - but it got us talking about it. This individual model may be a sacrificial lamb for extra free publicity... knowing these will all sell anyway, and hoping to sell other of their ugly watches? F- I sound like a marketing hack.
Fabulous video. Possibly the best to date. Well researched and insightful for such an early hot take on the escapement. I could not agree more on the watch comments. I like sparring with you. But, I have nothing to spar with.....LOL
81 because it's the caliber 810... 810 pieces for each of the 2 steel versions and 81 of the gold
Way to call it like you see it!
Very interesting video Pete, I always enjoy your take on the hobby. As for this watch, I have to agree with you, and as for the technology in general it will be interesting to see where this leads.
Man says its a failure of design but owns a bunch of breitlings (bluurgh) which are a failure of a company that haven't come close to this kind of innovation in their entire existence!
Since FC invented the open heart, what better way to showcase a novel movement? There are more reasons out there to buy a watch than the final aesthetic. Having a dressy watch (with clous de Paris pattern and Breguet hands) seems more on-message to what horology is actually about than pandering to current populism.
Good one Pete. Totally agree on all points. Exciting tech in an unusual model choice.
I've got a slightly older FC Manufacture Classic (gloss black dial, almost like wet ink). It's not really my usual style, and it is very old fashioned. However... whilst it initially seems anachronistic, it does actually grow on you, and it is beautifully made. The leather strap is underwhelming though - very brittle and plasticky, which is a pain for an occasional wear dress watch as I doubt I'll ever break it in.
As for this watch - awesome movement, and whilst I understand FC's decision to stick it in their best selling style (according to them) I agree with you that had they put it in a Highlife Mk.2 it would have set the watch fraternity on fire. As it is, it kinda sailed under the radar and got forgotten about once W&W happened and Rolex changed a bezel colour.
Pretty much agree with everything here. I remember being excited by it when zenith brought their take of it out. I'm genuinely surprised it hasn't gone mainstream yet
It wont go mainstream because the majority of watch enthusiasts talk about "movements" but they actually dont care about movements. They care about design and brand cache so unless a brand like Rolex, Patek , AP, and to a lesser extent Omega put this improvement in their movements and advertise the majority of watch folks wont care. What is important for a movement is backfitted in the majority of those consumers to be what those companies say is important. Those companies wont put it in their movements because it isnt proprietary tech that they own so they have no benefit in marketing it if their competitors can have it too.
81 is related to the caliber name
I agree. I want this watch because of the movement, not the rest of the watch. I would never buy this watch if it weren't for the movement. They don't know how to market what they have. They think it's smart to market it in their traditional style watch. Now I either have to buy a watch I don't want, or wait for it to come out in a more pleasing watch. They never give you what you want. Imagine this movement in Rolex or a Grand Seiko.
There is a large market on this type of watch. But as society becomes more casual (tool watches) and this style may go somewhat out of interest. They should apply this technology bit more sportier watches.
Not crazy about that watch either. Tech is very cool and interesting. Can't wait to see who else partners with Flexous.
Call me when you fit the movement is in a sportswatch, Fred.
I see why FC did go with the open heart. But the watch looks very thick for a dressy watch.
The 40Hz movement is sucking the soul out of the watch for me. I like listening to the 3Hz ticking of my Panerai or the 3.5Hz ticking of my Omega.
This Monolith escapement gives me a very modern Grand Seiko Sping Drive vibe. Looks like Quartz watch with mechanical power source.
I agree - it looks a bit fat - I cant find a thickness measurement anywhere. The monolith escaement is very thin but FC may have not spent enough time on the rest of the movement - focussing on the sexy bit.
Im ambivalent about the speed. Like you I like the languid swing of the balance wheel - otoh I love the smooth sweep of the second hand. For me, hide the buzzing escapement and I'll be fine. I do fear some will be negative towards this tech more because it could threaten existing heirarchies than any genuine concern for horological 'purity'.
If this new escapement tech really works, that’s great news. And I agree here, this experiment in a vintage looking dial is a real faux-pas. What were their designers thinking about ?
My guesses? 1. perhaps some old-new tension, but for me it just missed and looked odd. 2. Also, the 'open' heart thing is pretty polarising - some love it, others hate it. I think for a lot of watch enthusiasts its the latter.
it looks glorious
It is not a horrible watch....I guess Lange, Patek etc. are all horrible too because they are "old" styles.
my problem isnt the "old" style - its the incongruity of that old fashioned styling with the monolthic escapement - would be been so much better in a highlife.
When I first saw this I thought, "Why did they put 21st century technology in a case from the 18th century?" It's horrible. Mind you, the novel part isn't that attractive either and should be buried away where you can't see it. Who chose that nasty green colour? The technology in the escapement is spectacular but is it reliable? I hope that the 1,700 or so early adopters are fully aware of their role as "real world testers". If the watch industry is open and honest (ha ha) then we'll know how reliable this is and then in five years or so the revolution can happen. Although without knowing the IP position it could be hard to predict when/if this translates to broader acceptance.
Thank you for the great video. I often feel like I should write in the comments section to say how much I've enjoyed or been challenged by your content. I'm not going to post the essay I wrote about Omega quality and growth potential though ;-) Keep up the great work.
On the colour I wonder if they werent going for a 'blued screw' look and just missed - some pics do seem to have that effect. On the reliability I think it will be fine - as a one time shake and bake reliability engineer I know you can get five to 10 years real world experience in a few months with the right testing. And in theory this should be better than complex mechanical systems. You're right about the IP - Im guessing there's room for flexous to sell to others - they are certainly advertising.
Just wait until the Chinese copy it. Cheap crap with a Rolex beating movement
I like that this tech is under the Citizen umbrella. They can "beta test" it under this brand, and if it is great, they can deploy it across the entire range as they choose. This is a great beta test.
Imagine an upgraded Miyota Sweep Drive 10k (upgrade from 9000) line of movements for sale to other brands...
This watch is hideous.
Yeah - somehow I doubt that occuring - I've seen zero evidence of citizen group having any sort of strategy.
“Horrendously old-fashioned” about sums it up.
I’m not a movement geek, but it doesn’t seem like an interesting movement.
I watched monochrome's video and found it at best irritating much preferred your take Pete. Why not do a nsow engineers take on the regulator alone.
I dont understand the point of the movement. Unless it can be produced at at something approaching the price of a decent quartz.
If the regulator is a modular throw away part why is it on the dial side of the movement?
What does it compete with?
Spring drive....maybe if it was $2k cheaper?
Quartz ...... maybe if get movement price to less than £50?
Tuning fork?
Mechanical...I don't think so. People buy mechanical watches despite the movements being inherently inaccurate anachronisms?
Please please do a follow up !!!!!
Thanks but part of your comment confused me as I think the answer is obvious. This is a mechanical movement, pure and simple. If its promises can be kept it's just a better mech movement than anyone else offers.
I agree. The movement is interesting but like the Zenith Defy Lab and Ulysse Nardin Freak, it is just a novelty piece with a dull as dirt dial case and dial design.
Im curious why you think this is a novelty piece, or even what you think is a novelty piece. After all, while it doesnt sell in huge numbers the Freak is a core collection in the UN catalog and available for purchase right now - I fail to see how thats a novelty?
@@PeteMcConvill By "novelty piece", I meant I think the watch will be like the Zenith Defy Lab and UN Freak where the technology might take a bit of time to become more commonplace but until then, it will be "that watch with that wacky escapement."