If there is one thing the Hybrid Manufacture watch does well is answer the question of “what do I do if my smartwatch battery dies?” In this instance the answer is “just wear your dressy mechanical watch” as you otherwise might if it were a traditional watch. In that sense, the Hybrid Manufacture is a better choice for traditional watch lovers who are interested in how modern technology can enhance their experience with a traditional watch. I would suggest that Frederique Constant’s new Hybrid Manufacture products are intended for people who are primarily interested in new technology watches, but that want something which “appears” traditional-looking.
It is impressive that Frederique Constant is both the designer and manufacturer of these movements – which occurs in Switzerland. I do not believe the brand would have been able to manage releasing this product if a third-party company was given the task of designing and building the “smart” part of the FC-750 automatic movement system. The mechanical part is straightforward with a 4Hz (28,800bph) operation and 42 hours of power reserve. The smart system has a claimed battery life of “more than” seven days. So figure the Hybrid Manufacture electronic system to last a week between charges.
Frederique Constant’s activity tracking tool.
And what of the debut Frederique Constant Hybrid Manufacture watches themselves? Here, Frederique Constant is perhaps playing it safe. It clearly appreciates that this type of technology has both niche-appeal, and an unclear market. No one compared to Frederique Constant has more internal data on the purchases of traditional-looking smartwatches thanks to what they have been selling for a few years. The result of that data seems to suggest that it feels buyers of the Hybrid Manufacture system are most interested in traditional looks with something interesting on the inside. Hence, the four debut models are only modest design changes on existing Frederique Constant Manufacture watches in terms of both case and dial design.
The watches all have steel cases which are 42mm wide. The FC-750MC4H4 model has a rose gold-plated steel case. The watches all come on alligator straps with conservative yet decorative textured dials that each resemble the brand’s current models. Dial options include two light-colored ones, and two dark-colored ones. The sportiest model in the Hybrid Manufacture watch collection is also a limited edition of 888 pieces with the reference FC-750DG4H6. This model has a black, textured dial, sportier lume-coated hands, and some attractive blue color accents.
The watches all have sapphire crystals (on both sides) and a view to the automatic manufacture movement. In most respects these appear to be traditional mechanical watches. Consumers will have to ask themselves how they feel about this. On the one side there will be those who love the idea of being able to “sample” smartwatch functionality with the ability to monitor the performance of the mechanical movement on their wrist, and others will be turned off by how little the external design of the watch communicates the novelty of its movement. There is no single answer to how to make consumers of products like this happy, and we consider this first batch of Frederique Constant Hybrid Manufacture timepieces to be worthy experimentation that the brand needs to engage in. Kudos to Frederique Constant for taking risks and trying things other brands would certainly not attempt.
As someone who wears many watches per week, the functionality promises of the Frederique Constant Hybrid Manufacture aren’t targeted for me. I’d not wear the watch enough for the activity tracking to mean much, and I also let automatic watches wind down too frequently to be interested in how accurate they are. Though the information about the health of the movement is interesting to say the least. These watches seem to offer more to those who have smaller watch collections or that still wear one “nice” watch at a time. Having said that, the novelty of this system should clearly make it a future collector’s item. If only as an interesting example of how the smartwatch and traditional watch worlds can play together in relative harmony. For what it’s worth, Frederique Constant likes to playfully call the Hybrid Manufacture a version “3.0 watch” (and the world’s first on top of that).
How much will Hybrid Manufacture wristwatch technology cost you? Price is much lower than many of Frederique Constant’s “hybrid watch” competitors, but still at a level that will make potential consumers think over a purchase. The Frederique Constant reference FC-750MCN4H6 (mostly blue and silver dial) and FC-750MC4H6 (mostly silver dial) start the Hybrid Manufacture collection retail prices at $3,495 USD. The limited edition of 888 pieces reference FC-750DG4H6 is actually my favorite model and has a price of $3,595 USD. The Frederique Constant Hybrid Manufacture collection for 2018 tops out with the reference FC-750MC4H4 plated in rose gold that has a retail price of $3,795 USD. frederiqueconstant.com
