Video – Frederique Constant – The Present and Future of the Brand with Managing Director Niels Eggerding
Today on MONOCHROME we continue our series of videos focusing on accessible luxury brand Frederique Constant. Created only 30 years ago by Peter and Aletta Stas, the brand has gained international recognition for manufacturing elegant watches with interesting complications and luxurious appeal for reasonable prices. This strategy started with outsourcing movements from renowned manufacturers (ETA and […]
Whether it’s the Submariner, Sea-Dweller or Deepsea, Rolex’s iconic range of professional dive watches have rather a lot in common. However, as Michael points out with his prized Deepsea ref.126660, the legacy watchmaker’s amphibious timepieces are not all created equal. In fact, the first time that Michael realised he wanted to own the herculean dive watch was when he saw one completely disassembled, and he appreciated just how different and unique the construction of the Deepsea is. As Michael explains, the Deepsea needs to be capable of withstanding quite monumental pressures when being submerged underwater at depths of up to 3900 metres (12,800 feet). As a result, 126660 uses 5mm-thick crystal and an inimitable case design, which utilises two pieces of titanium that are essentially sandwiched together. Now, you may be asking, “How did Michael manage to see a Deepsea completely disassembled?” Well, that’s because he previously worked for Rolex in their Melbourne service department, and has seen his fair share of these awesome watches stripped down. In addition, Michael also mentioned that the Deepsea’s movement, Rolex’s calibre 3235, is very reliable and easy to service, and the dial of the professional diver’s watch has excellent legibility.
In general, Grand Seiko has a reputation for being somewhat stealthy on the wrist — but, to be honest, that’s not the case with this chunk of finely crafted steel, better known as the Grand Seiko Spring Drive Chronograph SBGC203. At a sizeable 43.5mm across by 16.1mm tall, this isn’t the sort of watch that slides under the cuff, and even if it did, those oh-so-distinctive chronograph pushers would happily be peeking out, no matter what. But really, this is the sort of watch that you lean into. It’s a big and bold example of Grand Seiko’s best technologies — there’s no hiding the quality of the case or dial work, and the chronograph pushers have been so exceptionally engineered that you’ll be looking for any excuse (boiling eggs, timing car parks — the usual) to start, stop and reset. The goodness extends to the inside too. The 9R86 is a technical wonder — adding a GMT and a chronograph with a very unique layout to Grand Seiko’s already superlatively accurate Spring Drive technology. With this set of features and the fact that it’s rated to a decent 100 metres of water resistance, it’s a watch that can go anywhere,…
Yes, we’re somewhat getting ahead of ourselves here, but with the abject misery of Australia’s particularly dismal winter now in the rearview mirror, it’s time to start thinking about ideal summer watches. What’s more, thanks to the land of Oz perpetually being six months behind the Northern Hemisphere’s summer style, we’ve already got a pretty clear idea as to what’s in vogue for the warmer months ahead. It might not come as a surprise to many, but white watches are definitely making a strong case for being attached to your wrist for when the thermostat cracks 30+ degrees. So, with that in mind, here are three of our favourite watches that will pair well with some SPF 50+: Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe It seems logical to assume that if you’re looking for a summer watch, chances are you’re going to be heading to the beach at some point. And when it comes to watches that are as comfortable in the water as they are out, the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms has got to be in the discussion. Luckily for us, the Swiss marque does offer the prolific dive watch with a distinctly white theme that includes a glossy white ceramic…
If you’re into feel-good positivity, then Netflix’s reboot of Queer Eye is likely already on your radar. If it’s not hard to get behind the premise of five (a fab five if you will) experts in their respective fields whipping into people’s lives and making them better. And of those experts, the guy in charge of food (and beverages for that matter) is Antoni Porowski, who aside from having strong opinions on the constituent ingredients of guacamole and a more than passing resemblance to a clean-living John Mayer, also has nice taste in watches. On the show he’s regularly seen rocking an Omega DSOTM and it turns out that’s not his only Omega. For evidence, please see this video from GQ where Antoni runs through 10 things he can’t live without — and, along with scented candles and Stan Smiths, turns out Antoni has a rather nice Omega Connie. Watch the whole thing here, and if you want to get straight to the watches it kicks off around 3:19. 
