Elegance vs Sport: A Spotlight on 2 Panda Chronographs
I am unsure of how often people visit boutiques in malls just to try watches on and see them in person, for fun. If it is just me, then someone has to tell me to stop looking like an idiot 🤣🤣
Last weekend I fancied checking out the Frederique Constant boutique just to see if they had anything new. Lo and behold I happened to come across 2 beautiful panda-style chronographs.
Frederique Constant Highlife Chronograph
Measured at 40mm, and with a (debatable) in-house column wheel chronograph movement, and sitting at just around 14mm, this is an elegant timepiece. Seeing it in person, I could just say that this was stunningly beautiful. Everything from the aggressive taper of the bracelet to the simple but clear dial design is enough to tell me that this watch is the real deal. A true GADA watch, this can be brought anywhere, from a beach outing to a formal event. Honestly, this was the only watch that caught my eye in the boutique until I spotted this next one out the corner or my eye.
Alpina Alpiner Extreme Chronograph
Despite the big bulky look, this watch is actually listed at 41mm. Based on my experience though, it wears more like a 43mm due to the way the case is shaped. This works both as an advantage and a disadvantage since the watch is able to achieve such a big, burly, masculine look while still appearing premium, especially for the price.
Disregarding brand recognisition and price, which one would you choose?
I'd choose the Alpina. Even though the FC is more elegant, more beautiful, more conventional even, the Alpina feels like more of a reflection of myself. It resonates with me.
A lot of words lol who am i kidding I like big watches.
To be honest, as a watch collector, does anything else really matter besides that? This hobby is unreasonable to begin with 🤣, and that's what makes it so fun.
Thanks for stopping by :)
Watch sizes fluctuate over time, and we happen to be heading into a smaller watch period. This is a result of people getting tired of the big watches that were popular up until a few years ago. And sometime in the future people will decide small watches are out again.
In this cycle you’ll find yourself instep with fashion, then back out again. It just happens to be that you’re out of step for now, but give it time. The good news is that there are still bigger watches around.
The Alpina is a great looking watch and in my humble opinion and under appreciated brand. The FC is a little less interesting a side by side but that’s just my take. Both would be good honest daily’s I am sure.
Thats a lot of text, just to tell us that you like big watches.
While I like Alpina, there are always other brands with a little more interesting offerings than them. In this case, I would have chosen the FC.
I like the Alpina’s design better. I also think it looks better on your wrist. I always think you should listen to your ❤
I like the Alpina’s design better. I also think it looks better on your wrist. I always think you should listen to your ❤
Hahaha thanks for this. I am not going to buy though just windowshopping.
The FC chronograph movement is a rebadged LaJoux Perret which is a nice movement. FC, Alpina and LJP are all owned by Citizen. Is the dial silver or white? I want the blue panda LE chronograph because the rubber strap with fit my Highlife Perpetual Calendar.