Frésard - History, Models and Owners' Reviews

A watch from the 70s, in its original condition, never polished, never serviced because I have not yet found the watchmaker who wants to risk doing it... But it still runs perfectly well and drifts by only a few seconds per day. I have not looked much but despite everything there is very little information on the net concerning the Frésard brand. But in this specific case, I do not care, the story that takes precedence is that of the transmission coming from my father. It is my only watch that could be described as vintage, original case between barrel and square, with its small horns, its large crown, its sober gray dial with khaki reflections depending on the light, its large added studs and its simple white hands. Slightly domed plexiglass, it brings together all the codes of this beautiful era. It comes to me from my father, therefore, who wore it on his steel bracelet type "Gainsbourg" with its extensible ZRC clasp that has resisted time. I don't know if only the buckle is ZRC or if the entire strap comes from this historic supplier. In any case, due to its contained diameter, its low thickness, its lightness and this 70's look, I really enjoy wearing it, especially on the khaki leather with its thread in a color reminiscent of the hands. I really care about this watch because my father left us when I was young and I have memories of him with this watch on his wrist. Wearing it always brings back emotions to my memories of times gone by when I was just a child and watches didn't interest me that much at the time. I have to take care of it because it is not waterproof and I have already had fog under the glass after watering the garden while I was wearing it. This is important because if there were only one left, it would be this one, its sentimental value is such that nothing could replace it.

I bought this new watch from stock on Interenchères during a sale based in Chantilly. I was immediately seduced by its very busy look with this Worldtime bezel and its two crowns reminiscent of a Super Compressor case diver. No more than €150 excluding fees. Beautiful sunray dial of an improbable green and beautiful proportions that do not go unnoticed. An original but disappointing watch because it was neither a naked diver nor a worldtime. Paradoxically, it is of demonic precision measured with the chrono-comparator at 8 seconds per day! I think it is a France Ebauches movement, which shows that the French industry of that time knew how to make calibers... 🇫🇷 A nice collector's watch that nevertheless spends more time in the drawer than on the wrist!