Frederique Constant Classics Moneta Moonphase // Watch of the Week. Review 222

[@mbrum3230]

Handsome watch. Will wait about a year and get for 600.

[@turnbasedtoddy7664]

Who needs a calatrava when you have this!

[@Nefville]

I was watching the video thinking _please don't be another SW-200, please don't be another SW-200_ and thank the gods, its not. I'll take just about any movement over an SW-200, quartz or not. In fact I'm glad to see a two-hand quartz movement in there, for one they're thin, and two, I'm not forced see "automatic" written on the dial whenever I want to check the time. Quartz are underrated by watch enthusiasts and to their detriment.

[@obesetuna3164]

Hi Nef. Don't tell anyone, but I do believe that quartz is often the better option for many.

[@Nefville]

@@obesetuna3164 Always a pleasure! 👋

[@trailrunnermike]

What’s wrong with the SW-200 other than it’s in many watches?

[@darrenfry4695]

LoL I used to think the same about the Seiko NH movements they was in everything lol now it's sw- 200 etc

[@nathans9764]

@@trailrunnermike I don't have any watches with an SW-200 in them, so grain of salt here. But I've heard they are known to lose some teeth on gears, specifically those for winding the watch or setting the time. I haven't validated this--I tend to avoid Swiss movements in favor of Japanese movements, as there seems to be a 25-50% "Swiss surcharge" in the independent and micro scene.

[@nathans9764]

I think $1,300 USD is a bit steep, but I love everything about the design of this watch. Quartz is pretty ideal for a moonphase, so you aren't having to reset it if you don't wear the watch for 3 or 4 days--it just stays accurate. Dropping the seconds hand and doing a 2-hander gives a refined look AND hides the deadbeat seconds tick, so it is indistinguishable from an automatic. Except of course no one has felt the urge to write "Automatic" on the dial, or put some other nonsense like "Powermatic" or "Hi Beat 36000"... things that belong on the back of a watch but companies just can't help themselves with automatics.

[@heiner71]

I don't mind quartz watches. I own mostly mechanical watches but recently purchased an older 40mm Breitling Aerospace and I must say, it's the most comfortable watch I own. Barely 10mm thick and the watch weighs just 78 grams including the titanium bracelet. +/- 10s per year accuracy does not hurt either. I like to wear my watches loose, especially in summer and with a chunky heavy watch that is no fun.

[@obesetuna3164]

FC is full of surprises, and this is a very attractive looking watch.

[@Konsaliki]

I have nothing against a quality quartz movement in a two hand watch. In fact, I prefer it over a mechanical movement in this instance, since I don't feel as if I'm missing out on the sweep of the seconds hand. Cartier has done it along with many other high-end manufacturers. FC must stick to a base level price point if they want to be perceived as a serious "entry-level luxury brand", for whatever that's worth. Thus, I'm by no means offended - this is a nice watch.

[@mybrainlikesthings]

The Cartier quartz movement that I have on hand (also a two-hander) has the minute hand jump every 20 or so seconds. That probably contributes to the extended battery life, but it is barely noticeable on a diminutive tank; Will this 37mm FC, by comparison, have a minute hand that jumps every second or does it jump every x-multiple of seconds? That's a detail that could make this luxury or a Casio.... Or an Omega X-33. But I would agree that two-hander watches should be perfect for quartz movements, when done tastefully.

[@thewholecut]

Yeah they are a bit pricey but they are stunningly beautiful no doubt about it.

[@benjaminvis]

The elephant is certainly big, but perhaps bigger news is that this moonphase looks more attractive I think than the recent Maen. Of course it's not quite fair to compare given the movements. That second coin edge 'bezel' seems to fall under the crystal. I'm not sure it should be called a bezel then. The crown arguably looks a little small, but this is not a major issue. The impression of the yellowish tone printing on the black and blue is a concern. I think the branding could be reduced and I hope the material used for printing in real life looks a lot better.

[@ocb05]

Just purchased one Blue variant. It looks so elegant and it is well made. Excellent launch by Frederique Constant. This is what Patek Philippe Should have been, not that Cubitus.

[@AbdulRWatches]

Looks like a good Calatrava Homage, the price is a bit over the top in my opinion.

[@claudioprudente1034]

Moonphase on a watch for me are a gimmik for at least a couple of reasons: 1) I don't use the moon as calendar 2) rotating through several watches (1 week time each) it would make no sense to try to regulate the moon phase all the time. 3) estetically I don't like the 'cut-out' window to show the moonphase.

[@lukasz_zegarkowy]

Looking for positives - 60 months power reserve seems tempting 😂

[@Polter6eist]

We have Longines with quartz movements that are higher in price, even Hamilton. The best quartz has to go to Bulova, but this is a real appealing timepiece, nice dimensions. I love the missing seconds hand since it's a quartz, the moonphase adds a bit of style too. Certainly better than anything else in there. It's on my shortlist now

[@astorbeijer9424]

I think it looks nice. I would have priced it at $900, but I find that my understanding of the market is a couple of years behind. The price of every watch has rocketed up beyond anything I could have imagined.

[@Drazorig2]

They need to make an automatic version with this exact design & open case back

[@etebol]

I like it. Will wait a year or so and maybe can get it for 50% off retail.

[@rabadabadoo491]

Its nice looking but a little dressy for my tastes. I dont mind quarz watches but its probably stretched way past what i think is justifiable for me aswell. Echo Neutra do a field watch with moon phase complication thats on my wish list. Thanks for the upload 🌛

[@CasebackWatches]

Thanks for watching. Echo Neutra is also on my watch list since the last review.

[@finesse49]

I'd like to have a moon phase watch for the novelty and this one is a nice size and looks good. Unfortunately the price is beyond what I'm willing to spend.

[@stavros_katsopr]

Do we call this "coin edge bezel" or "round gear rehaut"? Cause it's inside...

[@shaverray4462]

It’s a nice looking affordable quartz. How this, together with their other affordable quartz offerings, support FC’s efforts to be seen as a mid and even high-end manufacturer is a different matter altogether. Their brand needs more focus in my opinion.

[@jeffreyromain7336]

I like moon phases, and FC is nice. I like the blue one.

[@krishnakanthcake]

I am always dream about grand complications like iwc for a cheaper price

[@gregtolley3455]

Beautiful watch. Can't wait til it hits jomashop!

[@HaonProductions]

Was sure this would be hand wound! Quartz is good, I'm wearing an HAQ Citizen right now, but I didn't pay anything near what this is asking.

[@zillsburyy1]

they make a great regatta timer

[@SunsetSheen]

Beautiful watch and the perfect size, but it's absolutely puzzling how they didn't release this with an automatic movement.

[@turnbasedtoddy7664]

They wanted to make it affordable. It would be 3 or 4 grand if it was automatic

[@SunsetSheen]

@@turnbasedtoddy7664 A Sellita movement is $200-300 depending on whether it's an SW200 vs SW300. They could've easily put one in this watch without it approaching anything close to $3-4k.

[@sn5669]

I like them, but I also wish they had used more powerful/torqueful movement. The hands look a little short to my preference.

[@rafaelmangual6478]

A beautiful watch. The fact that it's quartz for that price...doesn't bother me. After I Carter (as well as some other high name brands) sell quartz watches for much more.

[@user-vv1qm5dj9c]

Would love to see a high frequency quartz used here.

[@baronsilverbaron757]

What do you think of Baume & Mercier?

[@raysutton378]

Quartz is great for Moonphase pieces

[@MrSweetGsus]

great review! I like your style. Still not for sale here in EU

[@CasebackWatches]

Thank you.

[@krishnakanthcake]

I agree it’s unique

[@williammiller8317]

Does the moon phase follow the time setting, or is there some other procedure for setting the moon phase? 🧐 Thanks for the update Tim! 😎

[@CasebackWatches]

Thank you! Normally there is a quickset.

[@matthewdavis8199]

The mid case, lug shape and crown have serious Blancpain Villeret vibes. Is that a coin edge chapter ring? Good looking piece.

[@krishnakanthcake]

Love it

[@rodg2335]

I don't see the value of a moonphase complication. This is a nice looking watch tho.

[@OldSlabsides45]

Looks beautiful, design is great. I wont buy it for that price. If it were an automatic 3 hand for that price, i think this would be a hit. Im meh on moonphase as a complication.

[@johnanth]

I wouldn't say there's an issue with quartz, but I'd be more interested in a precious metal version of this, which would be truer to its spirit.

[@micknick74]

I like it 👌🏻

[@kiwilonewolf]

Are moonphases necessary? No. Are they beautiful? Yes. Are wristwatches really necessary?

[@tayne5009]

I’m sure it’s a really nice watch, but I’d really struggle to give £1k for a quartz movement. I’m oot like Duncan.

[@philspencelayh5464]

Almost perfectly designed for me not to like it leather strap, moonphase, no date, no secondhand, coin edge bezel, quartz movement and screwed on back pretty much a full house. £20 for a disposable Casio quartz is ok but £1000 when the movement will be less than £50 is a stretch.

[@fcc5923]

Prefer small seconds

[@aubsta1]

Trop cher

[@FlaneurSolitaire]

Yes, it looks great. But if you pay >1000 euros for a watch with a crappy Ronda quartz movement that will die on you after five years (the movement itself, not the battery... you can then of course have the movement replaced for 30 euros, which is about what Ronda movements cost on the free market), you deserve what you get for your money. If this was a 300 euro watch, I'd totally get it, but FC are fleecing their customers with this one.

[@FFL3001]

Quartz? I'm outta here.

[@mfmf100]

IDK. It looks fine but FC has always felt like a superfluous or redundant brand to me. So many direct competitors with similar or better histories and/or value.

[@cedarcanoe]

Ronda quartz is a very cheap and low-quality movement

[@XShotokanX]

1000 dollar for cheap quartz in a patek homage. No thank you

[@durandsimon5221]

Frédérique Constant provides nothing but boring hommage designs. It is truly and utterly a swiss level San Martin There I said it!!

[@garyboyle695]

All you did was out yourself as a fool.

[@Nefville]

There are quite a few Patek Phillipe references, I was hoping you could tell me which one its a homage of. Thanks.

[@toughguy2186]

Enjoyed it very much, magnificent watch, but I don’t think $1300 magnificent, no way-no way. Three years ago I bought King Seiko, cost me $1700, I love the watch, beautiful… not too long ago I found out the movement in that watch is the same movement in $200-$300 watches, can’t help it, now I hate it, I feel like I got cheated.

[@allancrotch2953]

QUARTZ ??????? !!!!!!!

[@heiner71]

QUARTZ!!!!!!!