Watch Review: Frederique Constant Flyback Chronograph

The Frederique Constant watch comes in stainless steel and rose gold-plated steel, but that’s not the only decision a buyer will have to make. The stainless steel and rose gold-plated steel watches offer three dial variations apiece: a dark gray smooth dial, a silver smooth dial, or a silver Clou de Paris guilloche-decorated dial.

In terms of style, the stainless steel watch with a smooth dial has a more casual, sporty feel while the stainless steel watch with guilloche-decorated dial and the rose gold-plated watch have a more classic dress watch appearance.

The dial includes three sub-dials at 3 o’clock, 6 o’clock, and 9 o’clock. The 30-minute chronograph counter is at 3 o’clock, the pointer date display is at 6 o’clock, and the small seconds indicator is at 9 o’clock. On the outer edge of the dial is a tachymeter scale, which is useful for timing events. 

Powering this Frederique Constant watch is the brand new in-house Caliber FC-760 movement, an automatic movement with a modular construction. This movement is comprised of 233 components, and 96 of these components are dedicated to the flyback complication. This movement can be viewed and admired through the sapphire crystal case back. With a power reserve of 38 hours, this watch should be worn daily or kept on a watch winder.

This movement includes the flyback chronograph complication with a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock and a central chronograph seconds hand. For those of you who are new to the watch world: A flyback chronograph complication is a chronograph in which the seconds hand can be stopped, returned to zero, and restarted instantly by pushing only one button. Typical chronographs need to be stopped, returned to zero, and started with three separate steps. The flyback function is useful for timing events that occur in rapid sequence, such as the laps in a race.  

Now for the price… this Frederique Constant watch costs $3,995 in stainless steel and $4,295 in rose gold-plated steel. For a flyback chronograph, an in-house automatic movement, and a classically designed dial, these prices are shocking. Not many brands are able to offer a watch this good at a price that low.