Three Growing Luxury Watch Brands - Montblanc , Tudor and Frederique Constant - VALUE PROPOSITION 

I believe the Swiss watch industry got little carried away with the price hikes trying to cash in on the China boom and in chasing lucrative gains on the short term the long term sustainability was affected. Not to long ago you could walk into an Omega AD and buy a brand new seamaster for under 2k. The watch industry went and lost their damn mind with the latest prices thinking that 4K is "low end" value! Now they are hurting and can't lower prices too much for fear of diluting brand image and eroding confidence. 5k to get into the decent range of watches these days is just silly. People would splash out more on a decent watch if price points weren't such a joke.

true story, Frederico! I am one who started buying Rolex, Omega & Panerai, but with current socio-economic reasons we can no longer ignore the brands that pose a great "value proposition" and in turn I currently have a Tudor Black Bay and a Frederique Constant added to my collection. Not bad I got 2 out of 3 👍

Frederique Constant is my favorite watch brand , specially the GMTs .

Fed, I love your videos! Each time I watch them, I learn something new. Keep it up.

I'm so glad you started this channel, Fed! I've learned so much from your videos, and you are just one of those types of guys who are a real pleasure to listen to. Keep up the great work and safe travels back home!

Thanks for your insights on the watch industry and especially MB... Glad someone is keeping their thumb on the pulse of the industry and sharing it with the rest of us.

Very informative video Federico. Whilst I can understand someone who works/has worked in the industry feeling sad about the recent change of emphasis, as a consumer I'm all for bang-for-buck value propositions.

Excellent video Frederico and very informative. Thanks!

just watched you on the grobnoab show... the way you carry yourself is Brilliant. I like the way you nudged archie onto the show, you are a true gentleman who is a diplomatic master.

keep the videos coming Federico. Great content, regardless of the focus problem

Fascinating info. I love the insight into the horologie industry's strategies.

Even though the image problems, really great analysis!! New subscriber

great vid Fed..loving the Tudor BB..wish it were a little smaller but still a great piece

Great episode. Thanks for the info.

thank you very helpful. love your knowledge

Great video Federico! I completely agree with your choices!

Hi Frederico,loved the video and I found it very useful..! Cheers, Rich Lennie from the Grobnob show..!

You make always such a fantastic video! Continua così!

Great information brotha! Your a well of information!

Hey Federico, love your vids man, very interesting and great opinions. Can you let me know more about Armand Nicolet as a brand and are they up there with Longines etc?

I absolutely LOVE my FC WorldTimer!

Very good video, been watching you for a while but after this video just subscribed Sir..

You have great knowledge of fine watches and the industry Federico. Thanks for the very informative videos, please keep them coming. What do you think are the best value watches in the industry?

Wonderful video. Top dollar information behind these companies and why they make interesting watches.

Great video!

I get what you're saying at the end with the whole value proposition versus ultra luxury. I think economically though, it won't hurt innovation as much as spur on innovation. I think about the Scotch whiskey industry or the cell phone industry in the same terms. You gotta have some good horses to pull you through to do the more limited exclusive products because you need the funding. Plus, you'll get a younger potential clientele pulled in. All the experimenting now with value will likely translate up towards new innovations with materials, complications, etc. I definitely think you're spot on with the Tudor and Montblanc collections... but I do also think Nomos is an intriguingly priced watch for value. I've never really though of Frederique Constant in the same breath, but I get what you're saying.

Great video, I hadn't seen this one for some reason. 😃👍

I inherited a Minerva pocket watch from my great grandfather and am considering buying a Montblanc. This video was really helpful!

such great content Federico. its so interesting hearing yr insights into a world that few of us would have access to. dont worry about the focus. say u did it on purpose and it will be classed as a film noir. anyway keep up the amazing videos and look forward to your return to NYC. from my very naive observations of the world i see more people are being careful with spending money on luxury items. while people may save for the rolex sub when it comes time to buy they may just be happy with the tudor black bay and keep the difference for a rainy day. i dont think we have forgotten the scary days of 2007. the watch market maybe be in some trouble for sometime.

Great video as always! But i have to ask, what is the name of the intro song?

i like your channel. You're a knowledgeable guy. Kudos

Hi Federico, Three very good examples. Especially Tudor. But I also like what Frederique Constant is doing. Thanks for explaining what is going on at Montblanc. Because for me Montblanc is THE best manufacturer of pens. But their watches were like a me too product. They used their well known brand to sell also watches. The latest developments are an interesting move. Nomos should be mentioned as well. It's already the largest German watch company when it comes to mechanical watches. And with the new Swing System they have the opportunity to determine their growing by themselves. Best regards, Claus

Really great vid Federico. I'm enjoying some of these discussions (if not the videography!). I've had a few of the popular Tudors you mentioned and they are really great watches, not only due to the value proposition, but they are just really sweet designs. Mont Blanc keeps turning my head on some pieces so I'm getting more and more curious. I didn't know the JLC connection, explains a lot! FC I don't really have time for. Some time ago I bought a Raymond Weil Maestro (not a watch I really fell in love with in the end) and I saw an almost exact copy badged as an FC. Both of them trying to look a bit Breguet. So I've always seen FC as a lower tier brand because of this. Maybe I should take a closer look. I think Nomos could probably squeeze onto your list but maybe they don't have enough mainstream recognition yet. Still quite boutique but offering a tremendous value proposition.

...and FC have just been bought by Citizen. Be interesting to hear your take on this sale Federico.

Great video Federico. I think Montblanc is often very underrated and not given the respect it deserves. Especially for women I think the Montblanc makes the perfect watch :-) Thanks!

frederique make amazing pieces, i do agree with you re the gold plating, but thankfully they usually make each piece available in both stainless steel and gold plated, the stainless steel variants are little bit cheaper also, great bang for buck.

What do you think about the Tudor Black Bay Heritage Chrono? I’m seriously thinking about buying it. Thanks so much for your videos... I love them!

Great episode.

You are right on. I remember when Montblanc almost had a fashion watch look. Not anymore. Tudor is the working man's Rolex. FC not so sure. Good stuff.

Agree with FC and Tudor Have a nice journey back to NY

great show, btw what is the name of the intro music?

Good job Frederico, I love Mont Blanc

I have 2, Tudor Black Bays (GMT and S&G Chrono) and I love them both. I’m looking to pick up another. If you put the Tudor on a rubber strap they sit much lower/closer to the wrist.

Good video, very, more realistic than others.

Ciao Federico, gran bel video! In futuro potresti parlare di alcune di quelle case che si sente menzionare di meno (tipo Eberhard o Baume & Mercier)? Sarei curioso di sentire la tua opinione in merito!

Hey guys, I'm in the market for a new watch. I'm currently looking at the Perrelet first class, Frederique Constand slimline and the CW c9 5 days? Which one would you recommend?

Great video. I am not someone that collects for value. However, it is striking to believe we use the word value-proposition for a commodity item that costs as much as a car. Nearly EVERY magazine and on-line articles review watches that are more than the typical person's annual salary. My belief is that Watch Companies spend the majority of their money on Events, Marketing, Advertising, and MUCH smaller amount on R&D.

What are your thoughts on Raymond weil?

great summary of montblanc frederico... i really love their new moonphase models

Tudor should phase out their entire line with the exception of the 3 you mentioned + maybe the and the ranger... I want to see a Tudor Split Second Chronograph, a World Time a perpetual calendar and possibly a perpetual calendar split seconds chronograph. I wouldn't care if they used ETA movements either as long as they do the modified balance and decorate the movement. Nice video!

Very informative and excellent content. I feel that things are great for Tudor at present due to the fact your getting Rolex family sports watches on a budget. Not hugely surprised about the down turn. The Swiss watch industry can be too conservative and lazy with regard innovation . Keep churning out the same tired designs and hugely hike prices year after year..They have to wake up to market forces or will spiral into huge decline

lol, you sound like a nicer Archie Luxury talking Frederique Constant

Just bought a Montblanc Star Roman Chronograph UTC Automatic “Carpe Diem". I'm a happy man.

Like you said, it's one think buying a Black Bay compared to a Sub. Anyways, another great video. This is the best watch channel!

A-men! :) Excellent video.

Hey Federico, great video - very interesting. How does Citizen's recent takeover of Frederique Constant change your view on the brand? Early days I know, but I'd be interested to hear your thoughts. My concern for pre-Citizen FC owners is that Citizen ramps up production of FC's lower value pieces, tarnishing the brand and reducing secondary market value.

Fed, you could upload a video of a Barney episode with a voiceover of your insights and I’d still watch it. Great video!

nice vid - archie should take notice - there are more brands than just the ones he likes. Also consider Ball and Maurice Lacroix as growing quality brands

FC make absolutely beautiful watches. The only thing that annoys me about them is the invented French name.

What do you think of the Tudor North Flag? I've been lusting over it for a while now. I really like the integrated bracelet. The strap version does nothing for me. I wish the dial was a bit more traditional though.

Great video and like your list. I really got to take a loot at the Montblancs. Safe journeys!

Would you recommend Raymond Well Freelancer over Rado in that range...

You could have mentioned that Montblanc is at its core a German (!) brand also with a lot of heritage, the watches are produced in Switzerland, yes, but Montblanc is one of the most known German brands from around 1900. :)

Never gave much thought to Montblanc for anything other than pens. Tudor is on my list.

Totally agree on the gold plated comment

Great vid Fred. Montblanc is a brand i've been really thinking about recently as a relatively new person to this industry. What sort of MB are you thinking about going for?

So very curious on your opinion now. How does FC stack up to the higher end brands, especially now that it has been bought by Citizen? What does it do to the young company being acquired by this huge Asian conglomerate?

My dear, could you give some information about watch Feverloba

The Freddy C world timer in blue was a hit indeed -

Totally agree with your thoughts on the Frederic Constant. I don't believe they will become a desired collectible mainly because the gold plating. I believe Rolex did some kind of gold plating that did not work. The only reason Omega Vintage gold plated watches sell is because they are Omega (although I stay away from them). If you plan on being a respected watch maker you need to stay away from the gold plating the very cheap watches practice.

i cant find a frederick constant dress watch under 40mm is that right? they have some nice designs but 40mm is too big

I am liking this guy. He is a like a jolly and accessible "Watch Snob" but with more sugar.

Whqt's to expect with a gold plated watch on the long run ? Can kt stay good with great care of will it eventually looks like a mess regardless ? Been looking some FC and having a hard time chosing between steel and gold

Frederico - I cannot explain how right you are about Frederique Constant - I was handed a piece by my father a couple of years ago that he bought in 1992 (I think)... And it was gold plated and now slowly its beginning to rub off.... and its the most annoying thing ever...!!! If you don't want to make a gold watch - don't... for gods sake don't plate it...urghh

what are your thougts on Frederique Constant watches that are steel and NOT GOLD PLATED? Thanks!

Happy people those who can afford a solid gold watch. I, as many others, simply can´t. So the FC watches are very welcome as they provide us with excellent designs, classy and of very good quality movements (even the quartz ones), as was the original idea of the house founders. I think they are very true to themselves providing the correct information to buyers, something that is not usual in many other more famous brands (don´t ask me which ones please). Sometimes I feel that some people feels upset when a brand like this can offer good quality for affordable prices.

Grande Fede! Really enjoy your videos. Where in Italy is your family from amico?

Unfocused camera gave me a headache. Nevertheless great video and great knowledge.

From the three brands you mention I think Tudor is the most important and is offering watches that surpass quality, history and value compared to the other two brands. Great videos, thanks!

Very learned content!

I really like FC, I just stick with their stainless steel offerings.

Great video. It is a pity that buyers of Tudor in the most part are looking at and going for the three models you mention, as is their prerogative. In my opinion they are missing out on some excellent models. I have both the Black Bay and the Grand Tour, both great watches.

I always thought 💭 that Frederic Constant is for pretenders. However, I still had a crush 😻 on some of their pieces. And yeah, I just wished it’s written Vacheron on the dial instead 😀😀.

I think the gold plating point on Frederique Constant is fair, but that does leave the stainless steel models as a good value for the complications they can provide at their price point.

Really enjoyed the video! You know your stuff :)

what makes a watch a good travel watch?

What are your thoughts on Frederique Constant, for the price. Considering Montblanc is a more expensive brand. Do you think Frederique offers good value?

Montblanc is below Baume Mercier?

If FC made smaller watches they'd be an easy recommend for me. Montblanc hits the sweet spot.

Quartz swiss automatic watch the best wold Rolex good watch very espencer tissot good price hamilton wenger Victorino swiss armi good video

Please tell me about Hublot

Tudor Pelagos = Massive innovation. One of the best watches I've ever handled. The in-house movement is pure Rolex technology. It may be half the price of a sub, but it's 85% the quality.

Such a coincidence I was looking at this montblanc 101644... I think this a baby step to know the brand Any advices ... plz let me know

This video ages like wine

I'm really into Tudor right now. I just bought a ref 56003 Day Date in two tone for roughly half what they go for used. The Rolex Day Date is my grail. And it's fantastic to be able to get a small piece of that for under 2k. The champagne dial is beautiful, along with the instantaneous day/date change at 12, this piece is such a steal. The case and finishing are impeccable as well. Really excited to see what they do next.

Federico, I don't think it's fair to say that about FC. There were a lost of Swiss brands that used gold plate like Omega. There were also a number of companies that use non steel cases. I agree do agree, I'm not a fan of the plating, however it allow there customer to get the look on a smaller budget. It is a value brand. Sorry I'm a big fan of the brand.

My 1973 omega Geneve is starting to lose its gold plating :(

Very informative video, thanks a lot ! Why is the quality of the video so poor tho ?

Nomos should be on this list!

watching this in 2021.. woot, luxury watch market WAS in crisis in 2016.