Is this the BEST $1,500 Watch? FC Highlife COSC 

Sweet watch. Thanks for bringing a different brand to your channel.

Great video again....and Yes. I own a highlife! I also have four other FC watches to include a chronograph manufacturer which is amazing. I do not have a rubber strap with my highlife. I have about 7 3/4 in wrist and it fits nice. We have similar taste in watches for our rotation. Bluf: FC seems to make homage lile watches of Patek. I think the highlife takes elements from the Nautilus and Aquanaut but also the Omega Constellation/ Manhattan

Great review as always Bruce. FC packs a lot of bang for the buck IMO. I think Oris is definitely a close competitor in this price range as they also give you so much quality for the price. I have several blue watches already (Oris & Omega) but I could see myself making room for this one down the road

COSC certified, damn good looking and well priced. Very impressive piece. If I didn’t have my Sinn 556 ib this would be a serous contender ( and a sexy name to boot).

Great video. I agree 100% on the water resistance and screw down crown. Deal breaker for me. But very nice watch. I’ve had an FC and they are great bang for the buck

Beautiful piece! The bracelet is really sharp. Looks like the new Tissot PRX.

That watch is gorgeous. I would definitely wear that. The Dial is really nicely executed. I really like it.

Hey Bruce it’s Taylor here from Murfreesboro TN right outside Nashville, I landed in Salt Lake City and decided to see downtown last week and I was in this mall experiencing crazy déjà vu and was wondering where in the world did I see this mall before? 😂 and long behold it was from your video when you went to purchase a submariner. Just gotta say you are my go to for watch reviews so keep up the good work!!

I love the open heart ,beautiful timepiece,thanks ❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👍

Very impressive,particularly for the price.Enjoyed your video.

I have owned my Highlife for over 2 years, the same exact watch. I love it and it's amazing for the price. It's a chronometer and I also own an overseas and a fifty-six, the Highlife is high quality 👌 Great video 📹 👍

Good price. I went for the Aquis, more my style. Have been looking at Ball tho - I'm not a dress watch type chap (grebo biker) so this FC ain't me. Nice tho! Read your comment about an upcoming Oris review you've got coming - intrigued! Thank you Bruce 👍🏻👍🏻

FC is a great option at this price range. I think you should check Mido as well, very competitive and good looking watches.

Just did a collection purge to purchase this. I normally by used sub $600 so this is a big jump.

Wonder how it compares to the Maurice Lacroix Aikon, I feel that would be a good comparison. Great video!

Hi Bruce! Just check the Christopher Ward C65 Sandhurst with the steel adjustable strap (COSC certified)

Formex essence is about 1500 too and has a ton of features for the price I’d be interested in seeing what you think of that vs the highlife

This is a gorgeous watch, and a great price for a COSC watch.. Can I be honest though, I have just one expensive watch, an Omega Seamaster. I think the feeling that a more expensive watch is different is mostly psychology rather than fact. OK, if I wear a less expensive more uncomfortable watch, then put on the Omega, I'm thinking, oh yeahh! This is why it's expensive, feels so good. But if I swap to my Orient Mako XL which happens to be extremely comfortable on my 7.9" wrist, I can question why I got the Omega, as my Mako feels a hell of lot better on my wrist!! Anyone want to buy an Omega Seamaster?? LOL. I'm kidding! I think we want a more expensive watch to feel better than other watches but in all honesty, there are affordable watches for a lot less that look and feel as good. I'm realistic enough to admit that I have sub $500 watches that look and feel as good, if not better than my Seamaster. I don't try to convince myself of something that's not really quantifiable. Fantastic and honest review by the way!

Thanks for the video - was not aware of the quite hefty lug-2-lug on the bracelet. Rumours have it that FC might issue a Highlife version next year with their 40Hz monolithic manufacture movement. That would make the watch even more desirable, right?

You can get some Maurice Lacroix Aikons for similar or less. Yes it does have similarities to an AP but it does have the screw-down crown and 200M WR you were looking for

Gorgeous watch. I was in a hunt for a sub $2000 non diver sports watch a while ago, and this FC came on top along with the Maurice Lacroix Aikon and the Formex Essence.

The only brand I've seen that comes close to the quality of FC for the money would be Alpina. But then FC own Alpina now so not that surprising. But put FC and Alpina next to Longines or Oris etc and the former are streaks ahead. I would say Alpina and FC are up at Tudor level of quality. P.s. I appreciate that the outro begins at the exact moment the seconds hand hit the top 😀

Beauty! I wonder how this compares to the Baume et Mercier Riviera.

Before watching the whole video I have to say that this watch looks amazing. FC is an underrated brand for sure. I think a good contender is the Tudor 1926

Hello, please tell me your opinion, would you take a Rolex Op or a breitling avenger Chrono 43? What do you think is a better choice?

Great review. Great watch. Maybe you should do a review on a Monta Noble to compare

Wow! Now this sure is pleasant to the eye!

Totally agree with all honestly highlighted pros and cons, it has the most clear contrasted dial in my whole collection, and personally the most comfortable one but they need to improve the crown movement, it is the only issue to me.

Got it! Love it! Found this exact one in İstanbul

I own the white dial on the leather strap. Love it.

Hi Bruce! I'm a big fan of FC and live this watch, but I have small 6,2 wrist (15,5cm) and all of my watches are 38-39 mm. How do this, would this watch be too big for me?

Under the macro, the watch surely looks impressive. Without touching it or seeing the FC Highlife, the only thing that I actually do not like is the dial. It looks a bit cheap in my opinion.

Very very nice I love the case shape sure wish it had a screw down crown and better wr they would prob get my money . Contenders perhaps tissot Prx auto , Maurice lacroix aikon , and the Longines spirit .

Amazing watch that make you feel the quality in your wrist like a luxury brand

Looks lovely! I like this brand a lot. 👍👍👍

Something on what movement it is and what the accuracy was during your time with the watch.

I’ve been looking for a Frédérique Constant highlife 45 mm automatic watch in vain . Could someone please let me know where can I find one ?

Nice watch and you've stoked my Ball fire.

One that comes to mind is a watch you've reviewed, the Formex Essence, the updated version. Maybe the Christopher Ward dartmouth, I don't know know many watches from this brand but anything from Nomos? FC really has a nice one here.

Hey Bruce what’s that second watch in your outro look very nice

38mm no date in white with a screw down crown would have me sold.

do you prefer it over the Formex Essence?

I think you mean solidity rather than solidarity when it comes to the bracelet, but we get your point.

I think the Baume and Mercier Riviera is very comparable. Love it if you reviewed it on your channel

Nice but I’d go for the 18k Tissot gentleman the silicon hair sting is so accurate.

looks like the tissot PRX!!! 😎👍

Compared to the Bell and Ross with the integrated bracelet?

This is a strong contender. I would be with the formex reef which is cronometer as well for a very similar price.

what about all your Seikos, do you still have them in your collection?

Looks very nice! Great video.

Not a bad piece, Bruce! First thing I thought when I saw it was : a cool sports watch! Is it a 3 hz? And whats the power reserve?

Would look at Longines Spirit 40mm although it’s got a similar Lug to lug to the FC highlife . Spirit has 100m water resistance with a screw down and has a IWC vibe with very nice finish, and a high quality moment based on the highly regarded ETA 2892 with an improved silicone hairspring and COSC movement. Add to that a new 5 year warranty.

What's the case thickness? Ty

Why the basketball etching on the face? UPDATE: I have 7 Ball watches and I popped into Mimos today and bought this watch. You are correct in saying it feels as good as my Ball watches--got the blue one🤗

@Bruce This or the Formex Essence 39mm? I asked that before I realized this is really a 2K watch available for us for $1500.

FC is really great bang per buck! I do like this one as well as the "Aikon" from MC. But for my taste they are a little too close to some of those typical contenders. Here I can clearly see heavy influences from the GP Laureato (bracelet, hands) as well as PP Aquanaut (dial). I do think it's a very attractive mix but if you know all the originals it's a bit sad that they basically always just take the best of existing models instead of creating something really unique. Nevertheless this is very tastefully done! And I think the quality is definitely there for this price.

Can you compare with Longines Spirit 40 mm?

What about the titoni seascoper 600m?

I have same watch but open heart model with blue dial,, 😎 Open heart looks more luxury,.

Hey Bruce love the review! I would really love to see a Baume & Mercier Clifton on the channel. Preferably the COSC blue dial or the white dial moon phase. Both are gorgeous in my opinion and highly underrated! Thanks

New ones are 10 atm wr and its engraved on the caseback

Nice watch. Looks like it's designed to go head-to-head with the Tissot

the odd man out is a good way of putting it! Because that was my worry!

Did the price went up ? I just paid for mine 1895 pounds

Wow 🤩 beautiful watch

Rather this or a used omega 300m?

Will you do a K. Grün & Sohne review?

I do like this watch but feel the proportions are a bit off. I think a slightly fatter bezel (and, as a result, smaller dial) would do the trick.

Love that nautilus style bracelet!

I own this watch and I absolutely love it ! 👌🔥

yes I think this is the best in its price point, but still don't forget ML AIKON which is amazing in its price/ quality offering, and also quick-strap-change...wish I had both of them!

Looks great but those negatives are a downer at this price

I always think the Tudor black bay 41 , with the blue dial is the most comparable

Gorgeous watch. I prefer the silver dial, wish it had a bracelet... that being said, it"s a shame about the lug to lug on the bracelet. Too large for my wrist.

I think adding the center link of the end links to the lug-to-lug distance is dumb. Unless they stick straight out and are not angled down they don't stand out at all. It has none of the visual punch of the actual case. Go to 1:28 and tell me if the center links of the end links add to the visual footprint of the watch. They do not.

This watch vs sinn 556i?

It's seems like a great package but the case shape and protruding links seem like a weird choice. It's like it's got everything it should have for the money but it doesn't do anything for me.

Cracking looking bracelet, good looking overall. Unfortunately 50mm lug to lug is my max. It could have been a contender ☹

My vote goes to Tudor 1926 with black, silver or white dial, non-diamond.

Thanks for small wrist warning ⛔️! Great looking watch …but not for a 5.9 wrist

Incredible watch at the price point

That's a little unexpected - FC often put the screw-down crown in their 500$ watches and provide them with 100m WR. Maybe it depends on a size of case?

Hey Bruce, how does this FC compares itself with the Maurice Lacroix Aikon, in terms of finishing and accuracy? Thank you!

I'd personally still get the Tissot PRX mechanical instead imho

Nice watch - Tissot PRX kinda looking like it a tad

On the frederique constant website they state these watches are water resistant to 10 ATM (100m). Where they not always 10 ATM?

Weight?

how will you pick between this and the prx

Beautiful, little similar to VC Overseas.

Good contender, the only better watches would be 2 quartz; one above price at 2200 (grand seiko sbgx263 with 9f movement +-10s/year) and one below with less finish at 1000 (longines conquest vhp “very high precision” also +-10s/year and perpetual calendar up to 2499) They are a the right price spot, and more accurate; but no one is mechanical and I don’t know any cosc or better accuracy mechanical watch at this price and with a very good finish

Monta is the contender with the Triumph

not an integrated bracelet but the best conteder i would see is a formex essence ! cosc awesome etched blue dial and moderne original design all that for under 1,5k. Maybe those seiko sharp edge as a third choice? and the big daddy aquaterra to see if the price difference afford you something else.

So quick question, Bruce: when you're rotating your rolexes, cartiers (still think they're a jeweller first hahahaha) and your Omegas, would, like this FC, a Ball 'hold its own' in this good company? Oh, and by the way, the chronometer Christopher Wards easily stack up and offer better value (especially with the new Sealander' cross purpose'.). Ball do too, albeit marginally more expensive. But their in house Chronometer Marvelight knocks this out the ball park (pun left in). Love the channel, love the Tudor S and G vid.

I like the blue dial Oris Big Crown Pro Pilot better. Voted with my wallet.

Wow, I like a non complicated FC watch, who’d’ve guessed THAT!

The same issue with Longines Spirit as well. All the specs are great, except lug to lug distance. Why don’t they make at least 2 size version of it like one you had here and one with something like 38x47 mm. A little bit smaller would be great for the wrists between 6-6.75 inch 🤷🏻

Any details on the movement? Is it ETA?

It appears similar in quality to my Hamilton GMT. I bought that one for $700 grey market. It will be interesting to see where the market settles on this one. Hate to spend $1500 to see it on Joma 3 months later for $700.

FC and Glasshute Original are the most underrated watch brands.

Not snobbery at all, no corners cut costs.