Frederique Constant is a brand that I sort of have an off-again, on-again relationship. Sometimes a watch will just grab my attention (and won’t let it go), and then other releases are barely a whisper in the maelstrom. This latest release, the Frederique Constant Slimline Moonphase Automatic, was a surprise attention-getter for me.
There is one thing that Frederique Constant consistently gets right, and that is the dress watch. With the Frederique Constant Slimline Moonphase Automatic, that strength is here, and it’s here in full force. I mean, just look at that watch up above – slender hands, Roman numerals, slim bezel, and a rounded onion crown over on the side. Add in that moon phase and a date indicator that looks almost like hand-painted numerals, and hoo-boy, you have my attention.
I won’t cast aspersions if you go for the rose gold version (it’s nice), but for me the plain ol’ steel one is where it’s at. All of this is solely based on the looks of the watch in it’s 42mm case (curiously, for a watch carrying the slimline label, no mention of the thickness is made). That might be giving short shrift to the new movement inside the case, the FC-705, which is a new in-house caliber for the brand. Now, whether or not that’s a thing you go for or not, it’s worth noting that the brand is making strides in that direction.
Now, in past write-ups on Frederique Constant watches, I’ve praised them for being very much in the realm of affordable, entry-level watches. With the Frederique Constant Slimline Moonphase Automatic, this is taking things more upmarket. This is probably, in large part, due to that in-house movement, and also a way of expanding the range of their catalog. Either way, the steel version of the Frederique Constant Slimline Moonphase Automatic comes in at $2,995, while the rose gold (plated) one commands $3,395. Certainly, at those price points, you have a lot of choice. I think if you opted for this FC, you would have quite a lovely companion on the wrist for your black tie affairs. frederiqueconstant.com
Watch Overview
- Brand & Model: Frederique Constant Slimline Moonphase Automatic
- Price: $2,995 (steel), $3,395 (rose gold plated)
- Who we think it might be for:
- Would I buy one for myself based on what I’ve seen?
- If I could make one design suggestion, it would be:
- What spoke to me the most about this watch:
Tech Specs from Frederique Constant
- Case
- Polished stainless steel 3-parts case
- Diameter of 42 mm
- Convex sapphire crystal
- See-through case back
- Water-resistant to 3 ATM
- Movement
- FC-705 Manufacture caliber, automatic with date and moonphase adjustable via the crown
- Perlage & Circular Côtes de Genève decoration on the movement
- 26 jewels, 42 hour power reserve, 28’800 alt/h
- Functions: Hours, minutes, moonphase, date by hand
- Dial
- Silver-colored dial with sunray decoration and printed black Roman indexes
- Hand-polished black color hands
- Moonphase and date counter at 6 o’clock
- Strap: Black alligator strap
