Luxury Watch Challenge: Cheap vs Expensive | Watchfinder & Co.

If you’ve not heard of the watchmakers Frederique Constant and Patek Philippe, I’ve got a challenge for you. If you have, pretend you haven’t and join along anyway. These two watches, both rose gold, both displaying hours, minutes, seconds and the date, stand apart in price by a factor of twenty to one. Can you tell which is which?

Featured Watches:
Frederique Constant Classics Index FC-303C5B4
Patek Philippe Calatrava 6000R

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[chrisnyc]

All good points, but I still think Frederique Constant is one of the best values in the watch world. They fill a very specific niche - watches that evoke the elegance and complexity of the likes of Patek Philippe but at a fraction of the cost. I'm a fan of both.

[Itaza]

You really should have used the Frederique Constant Manufacture Automatic for this comparison.
Open caseback and beautiful movement to see !
Nice video as always!

[francis]

The less expensive watch has more class. I prefer it.

[cedarcanoe]

Am I the only one that thinks the hands on the FC look nicer? That PP destroyed the datepointer hand by not painting it properly? That finds the PP hands ugly due to its simple and rough finishing?

[chandanh.s]

I love both. But Frederique Constant is all I can afford.

[Jay-xrsb]

The red paint on the date hand of the PP is sloppy, why go to that much detail only to fail at the bit that stands out? I'd send it back.

[rzezniqq]

Patek Philippe another company that can't paint hands red. There I've said it.

[aottaviano]

“As pure of gold as the heart of Kenneth Parcell”. I laughed so hard I almost spit out my drink.

[blomps]

Would have been a little fairer to choose an FC model from slightly higher up the range to go up against a PP!

[JP_Melbs]

Just when I thought I couldn't love these videos anymore, you hit me with a 30 Rock reference.

[akuma]

so put simply. It is the story that makes the watch expensive. HOW it was made rather than WHAT it can do. WHAT = telling time. HOW = craftsmanship.

[sergeyusik]

Oddly enough, but it's one of those rare cases you've used the word "cheap" instead of "affordable". Frederique Constant itself uses "affordable luxury" in order to describe their watches.

[JonasNeumann]

The frederique constant is so basic yet so... perfect... I don't know why. Not a fan of gold, it doesn't suit me, so I looked up the steel version, which is just 895€

[nathanielross]

The FC looks nicer, simple yet classic. I would add a Hamilton Jazzmaster to this as well. The PP is too busy, and cluttered.

[MestreMur]

World Class narrative... ✔️ The best explanation of RATIO 1:1 Macro lens: very close! 👌🏼

[arbiterofreason]

Could we ever get an FC video that's not using them to make people want to buy Pateks and Breguets? I understand the reason you do it but I'm considering a slimline perpetual calendar manufacture in steel. Any chance of a feature video? I can't find a good video online anywhere!

[hiratiomasterson]

Pretty much for all watchmakers, the same CNC machines are used to create basic watch parts: they are not that much different to each other, or those used in Germany, Japan...or even China. But what separates the Patek Phillipes of this world from the others is the many, many hours of careful hand finishing by incredibly skilled craftsmen, who slavishly file/brush away any imperfections from the machining process, then add a final level of artistry by hand that no machine can truly replicate. That is what you pay for with Patek: the human touch of perfection.

[imantisocial]

The Frederique Constant reminds me alot of the Tissot Visodate, which might be a bit small for some wrists, and a bit cheap for some wallets, but as a design is a thing of simplistic beauty.

[snnyburnett]

Red paint on the date hand is activating my autism.

[LordDavid]

Frederique Constant makes open casebacks and in house movements too. My Moonphase Manufacture has this.