Frederique Constant invested, in the last years, a considerable effort in its in-house movements. And the results are quite spectacular. Their manufacture movements include chronographs, calendars and even tourbillon calibres. The most notable achievement is the end price, that falls in the affordable side of the topic. And this is not a small thing. Today in review, one of the latest pieces, the Frederique Constant Flyback Chronograph Manufacture Ref. FC-760CHC4H4. Enjoy!
Hands-on Frederique Constant Flyback Chronograph Manufacture Ref. FC-760CHC4H
I start this review with the mention that, by the moment of writing, there are available only two pieces of the Ref. FC-760CHC4H4 in the online boutique. The steel version with blue dial Ref. FC-760NS4H6 has five pieces available at the moment.
Frederique Constant Flyback Chronograph Manufacture Ref. FC-760CHC4H4 was a loan from Frederique Constant Germany. The watch was initially present in the official press release available here.
Case and exterior details
The Flyback Chronograph Manufacture Ref. FC-760CHC4H4 comes in a 42mm gold plated stainless steel case. The rose gold shade gives an alluring look to the entire presentation.
The convex shaped case presents a predominant polish. The long, inward curved lugs are decorated on top with a fine vertical brush. The attention to details can be recognised in the relatively large bevelling of the lugs. The design is complex and very organic, natural.
The watch was fitted with raised rectangular large pushers. The actuation is precise but requires a bit of force. I would say the chrono pushers are medium to hard to drive. The crown is decorated with the brand’s logo. Frederique Constant engineers did a good job. The crown side of the Flyback Chronograph Manufacture looks impressive.
The caseband is covered with a rounded bezel. On top can be found the box sapphire crystal. The entire look reminds of the classic/vintage chronographs. The package is completed by the reverse panda dial.
The rose gold case is accompanied by a brown leather strap and a deployant clasp with buckle in the Frederique Constant logo. That is a very good looking buckle.
Chocolate and vanilla ice cream
The reverse panda dial of the Ref. FC-760CHC4H4 reminds me of chocolate and vanilla ice cream. The combination is simply lovely.
The sunray dial is surrounded by the creamy coloured outer register of the tachymeter with black printed indexes and numerals. Directly in is the railtrack of the chrono central seconds on running minutes.
The time’ indication is realised with the help of rose gold plated multifaceted hours’ indices and luminescent treated alpha hands.
The left side indication displays the running seconds. At 3 o’clock is placed the chronograph’s 30 minutes counter. The lower subdial, at 6 o’clock displays the date. The legibility of the time reading is very good in any light. Using the chronograph requires though a bit of ambient light.
The watch is comfortable on the wrist. For my relatively small wrist, a larger size will be out of my comfort zone. But the inward bent lugs and an overall good presence made me feel it enjoyable as a daily piece.
Calibre FC-760
Frederique Constant Flyback Chronograph Manufacture is powered by manufacture calibre FC-760. The movement is a result of six years of research and development. The calibre presents itself compact and well decorated under an exhibition caseback.
The finishes are industrial and lack from the finesse of full hand-decorated movements. But by all means, they are not bad at all. The back of the Frederique Constant Flyback Chronograph Manufacture is a nice place to rest your eyes. Considering the final price, the watch and its movement present itself admirably. The circular Côtes de Genève make a nice show. Just check the hands-on video above. The perlage is impeccable executed and it is extended even over the balance’s bridge. The blued screws contrast nicely the view.
Manufacture calibre FC-760 is an automatic, column-wheel flyback chrono with date adjustable by the crown. This is quite a big deal, especially considering the price tag it comes with. The movement has a poawer reserve of 38 hours, being regulated by a 4Hz escapement. The look of the calibre is warmed by the gold plated rotor weight.
Final impressions
Leaving aside for just a moment the exceptional technical achievement of the Frederique Constant team, the Flyback Chronograph Manufacture is a beautiful timepiece. It is fun and easy to use and it has a great presence.
I enjoyed having it on my wrist. Time in which I have searched for practical use of the flyback chronograph. I wish to be able to say that I timed race cars, boats or whatever. But is not the case. My use of a flyback chrono has more to do with daily, practical life.
My nine-to-five job in automotive is full of engineering tests. There I need quite often to time precisely different inputs or to monitor reactions. There, the flyback complication is extremely useful.
The free time finds me often cooking. I know it sounds ridiculous, by timing different stages with a flyback is psychological rewarding – especially as a watch lover.
So yes, maybe life does not offer you only car racing or similar but it offers enough moments and reasons to enjoy a great watch. Just like the Frederique Constant Flyback Chronograph Manufacture is. I would lie to say that it was not fun to have it on my wrist and test it. Using the pushers requires accommodation. A bit rigid, yet good feedback – so I cannot really complain.
The sum of, let’s say vintage elements does not create yet another vintage looking chrono. The presentation is rather contemporary, well anchored in the present days. Yes, classic and traditional like. But elegant in the modern way.
Frederique Constant Flyback Chronograph Manufacture Technical Specifications and Price
Ref. FC-760CHC4H4
Functions
- Hours, minutes, seconds,
- Flyback chronograph,
- Date by hands,
- Tachymeter
Movement
- FC-760 Manufacture calibre, automatic, flyback chronograph with date adjustable by the crown
- Perlage & circular Côtes de Genève decoration on the movement
- 32 jewels, 38-hour power reserve, 28’800 alt/h
Case
- Rose gold plated polished and satined stainless steel 3-parts case
- Diameter of 42 mm
- Glass box sapphire crystal
- See-through case-back
- Water-resistant up to 5 ATM
Dial
- Brown dial with applied rose gold plated indexes
- Hand-polished rose gold plated hands
Strap
- Dark brown alligator leather strap
Price
- 4’195€ Retail recommended price
Frederique Constant Flyback Chronograph Manufacture Gallery
