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Frédérique Constant

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Frédérique Constant SA
TypeSubsidiary
IndustryWatch manufacturing
Founded1988; 38 years ago (1988)
Founders
  • Aletta Stas
  • Peter Stas
Headquarters
Geneva
,
Switzerland
Key peopleNiels Eggerding (Chief executive officer)
ProductsWrist watches
Production output
120,000 pieces (2024)
RevenueIncrease CHF 125 million (2023)[1]
ParentCitizen Watch
Websitefrederiqueconstant.com Edit this at Wikidata

Frédérique Constant SA is a Swiss manufacture of luxury wristwatches based in Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland. Originally established in 1988 by Dutch married couple Peter Stas and Aletta Stas-Bax, it was acquired in 2016 by Citizen Watch of Tokyo, Japan.

Frédérique Constant's first watch movement, the Heart Beat Manufacture, began development in 2001 in collaboration with three other brands. The following year, the brand acquired Alpina Watches, a Swiss sports watch manufacturer that was established in 1883, and watchmaker Pim Koeslag joined the brand. Frédérique Constant has 33 manufacture (in-house) movements, as well as a mainstream line of Sellita-powered watches, including the high-end handwinding FC-910 caliber, which was introduced in 2004.

History

[edit]

The company was founded in 1988 by Dutch couple Aletta Francoise Frédérique Stas-Bax and Peter Constant Stas.[2][3][4] The name originates from its founders' great-grandparents, Frédérique Schreiner (1881–1969) and Constant Stas (1880–1967), the latter of whom founded a company producing watch dials in 1904,[5][6][7] and the brand's logo represents the Stas family crest.[8] In 2000, the brand manufacture was in Chêne-Bourg. Watchmaker Pim Koeslag joined the brand in 2002, the same year the company acquired Alpina Watches, a manufacturer of Swiss sports watches founded in 1883,[9] and went on to coordinate technical developments for the next two decades.[10] In 2009, Stas, Koeslag, and Robert van Pappelendam established Ateliers deMonaco, a new brand within the Frédérique Constant group.[11] Since 2004, Frédérique Constant has sponsored several classic car rallies worldwide, and it develops limited-edition watches for each of these sponsorships. The sponsorships have included Healey Challenges,[12][13] Peking to Paris,[14] and the Carrera Panamericana.[15] Prior to the sale to Citizen, Union Horlogère Holding B.V. owned Ateliers deMonaco SA, a watch manufacture founded in 2008 (the same year as Frédérique Constant SA) by Peter Stas with two other partners.[11] Frédérique Constant SA, Alpina Watches International SA, and Ateliers deMonaco SA are based in Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland. These companies have together been referred to as the Frédérique Constant Group.[16]

In 2016, Peter and Aletta Stas secured the Frédérique Constant group's long-term future by accepting an leveraged buyout proposal from Japanese watchmaker Citizen Watch.[3][17][18] The same year, the Frédérique Constant Group acquired its main distributors, including its largest market, Macher SA in Switzerland, founded in 2002 by Alexis Gouten. Subsequently, Niels Eggerding, who joined Frédérique Constant in 2012, was appointed chief executive officer of the Frédérique Constant Group in 2018.[19] Frédérique Constant currently operates a manufacture in Geneva in a four floor 3200m2 building,[20] which was expanded to 6200m2 in 2018.[21][22]

Products and product features

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Heart Beat movement

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In 2001, Frédérique Constant began the development of its first watch movement in cooperation with the École d'Horlogerie de Genève, École d'Ingenieurs de Genève and the Horloge Vakschool Zadkine. The Heart Beat Manufacture has a characteristic bridge for the balance wheel on the front side of the movement. Having the bridge for the balance wheel on the front side made it possible to have the spiral and fine regulation on the front side as well, creating the company's "Heart Beat" design. The company patented this construction as an innovation in watch design technology.[23] The company's "Heart Beat Manufacture" won the "Watch of the Year" Award of Horloges Magazine in the category of up to €3000 in 2005.[24]

As of 2014, the company has brought 15 distinct movements to the market, starting with the introduction of its original Heart Beat in 2004.[25]

Silicon escapement wheel and tourbillon

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Frédérique Constant escapement wheel made of silicon
Frédérique Constant escapement made of silicon; anker, wheel and plateau

In February 2007, Frédérique Constant began production of the silicon escapement wheel,[26] which was first introduced by Patek Philippe.[27] Frédérique Constant created a tourbillon with a silicon escape-wheel in April 2008, and, for the first time, an amplitude of over 300 degrees between its vertical and horizontal positions. Coupled with rapid oscillation, this gives the watch an unusually high level of precision.[28]

Manufacture

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Frédérique Constant offers 33 manufacture (in-house) movements in addition to their mainstream line of Sellita-powered watches. The high-end handwinding FC-910 caliber, introduced in 2004, was joined by Tourbillon in 2008 and a mainstream FC-700 caliber range in 2009. The addition of the second-generation manufacture movements (FC-900) makes the company unusual in offering a complete in-house watch for under €2,000 MSRP. Watches with in-house movements are identified with the word, "Manufacture" in their model name, or can be identified by looking for the tourbillon, FC-9xx, FC-7xx or FC-810 movement in their specifications.[29]

Worldtimer

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Frédérique Constant introduced a Worldtimer watch in 2012 with a unique mechanism, adjusted solely via the crown. The Worldtimer function is used by selecting the desired city and placing it at the 12 o'clock position on the dial. Internal discs automatically synchronise, and after that, it is possible to see what time it is in any of the 24 cities on the dial. In addition, thin discs also indicate at a glance whether it is day (white disc) or night (black disc).[30]

Frédérique Constant Runabout

Runabout product line

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The Runabout range is a main collection of Frédérique Constant and is designed to pay tribute to the runabout gentlemen's sports boats of the Roaring Twenties. The company has sponsored the Hélice Classique Genève and Lake Tahoe Concours d'Elegance boating events, which have showcased vintage wood boats.[31][32][33] In the same spirit, Frédérique Constant supports the conservation and preservation work of the Riva Historical Society, a Milan-based association dedicated to preserving classic Riva boats.[34]

Horological Smartwatch

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In 2015, the Frédérique Constant and Alpina brands introduced the "Horological Smartwatch", a smartwatch product with motion and sleep tracking functions that uses a secondary analog dial rather than a screen for its display – giving the timepiece a more classic look than other such devices.[35][36] The lack of a display screen also provides significant power saving – enabling a battery life of two years or more, in contrast to other smartwatches that must be charged daily.[37] This product line uses "MotionX" core technology, licensed from the California-based company Fullpower Technologies and was developed in a joint venture known as Manufacture Modules Technologies.[38]

Hybrid Manufacture Smartwatch

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In 2018, Frédérique Constant revealed the world's first mechanical smartwatch, the Hybrid Manufacture that fuses smartwatch technology with a mechanical movement.[39][40]

Collections

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Frédérique Constant offers three distinct collections:

  • Classics – Watches that follow the traditional Swiss watchmaking designs.[41]
  • Highlife – A sport-chic take on watchmaking.[42]
  • Manufacture – In-house calibres with complications and luxury finishing.[43]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ "CORDER'S COLUMN: Frédérique Constant's Stealthy Success". WatchPro. 11 August 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
  2. ↑ "Factsheet" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 September 2013. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
  3. 1 2 "Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. to Acquire Frédérique Constant Group (press release)" (PDF). Citizen Watch. 26 May 2016. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  4. ↑ "Swiss Watch News 2006". Archived from the original on 26 September 2007. Retrieved 19 March 2007.
  5. ↑ "Frédérique Constant: Confirmed Growth". Federation of the Swiss watch industry FH. 23 November 2001. Retrieved 19 July 2014.
  6. ↑ José Daniel Barquero (2004). Enciclopedia del Reloj de Bolsillo [Pocket Watch Encyclopedia]. Editorial AMAT. p. 179. ISBN 8497351894. ... el año 1904 con la unión de Frédérique Schreniner y Constant Stas, imprimiendo esferas para relojes, y en el año 1988 lanzó su primera colección de seis modelos.
  7. ↑ Orologi 2011 - Le Collezioni [Horology 2011 - The Collections] (in Italian). Script edizioni. June 2012. p. 284. ISBN 978-8866147268. 1904 - Frédérique Schreiner (1881-1969) e Constant Stas (1880-1967), si incontrano dando inizio a una collaborazione lunga e fruttuosa che prende il via con la fabbricazione di quadranti.
  8. ↑ "The Rich History of Frederique Constant Watches". The Watch Store. 17 May 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
  9. ↑ Bernardo, Mark (11 November 2021). "Borrowed Time: Reviewing the Alpina Alpiner Regulator Automatic". Watch Time.
  10. ↑ Chia, Cheryl (29 December 2023). "In Conversation with Pim Koeslag, the New Owner and CEO of Christiaan van der Klaauw". Revolution Watch. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
  11. 1 2 "Ateliers de Monaco : quand la principauté se met à l'horlogerie Montres". Le Point (in French). 22 May 2015. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
  12. ↑ Adams, Ariel (21 February 2011). "Frédérique Constant Healey Chrono Watch Review". A Blog to Watch. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
  13. ↑ Disher, Mike (10 June 2010). "Frédérique Constant Healey Chrono – Automatic and Stoptimer Set". WatchTime. Archived from the original on 4 May 2012. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
  14. ↑ Buettner, Blake (6 March 2011). "PREVIEW: Frederique Constant Embraces Heritage With Vintage Racing Collection". Hodinkee. Retrieved 15 September 2026.
  15. ↑ "Frederique Constant Vintage Rally Collection: The Carrera Panamericana". PRWeb. 3 February 2012. Archived from the original on 21 December 2013. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
  16. ↑ "Frederique Constant à l'heure des célébrations". Entreprise Romande (in French). Retrieved 26 March 2025.
  17. ↑ "Q&A: Frederique Constant CEO Peter Stas on selling up to Citizen and pursuing his smartwatch goal". QP. 2 February 2017. Archived from the original on 7 February 2017. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  18. ↑ Corder, Rob (12 April 2018). "Frederique Constant Doubles Distribution in Six Months Since Citizen Took Control". WatchPro. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  19. ↑ "Frédérique Constant - Dix minutes avec Niels Eggerding : découvrez l'homme derrière Frédérique Constant - CEOs de marques de montres - WorldTempus". fr.worldtempus.com (in French). Archived from the original on 19 August 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
  20. ↑ "Industrial News". Archived from the original on 28 January 2007. Retrieved 19 March 2007.
  21. ↑ "Frédérique Constant s'apprête à inaugurer l'extension de sa manufacture". Archived from the original on 8 June 2019. Retrieved 14 September 2026.
  22. ↑ "Frederique Constant extends Geneva manufacturing facility". Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  23. ↑ "Frederique Constant's Response to Swatch's Plan to Reduce Movements' Supply". Business Wire. 19 December 2011. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 14 September 2026.
  24. ↑ "Horloges Awards 2005" (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 16 December 2006. Retrieved 19 March 2007.
  25. ↑ Modig, Anders. "A Celebration of Accessible Luxury". Tourneau. Archived from the original on 9 June 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  26. ↑ "The Silicon revolution". Europa Star. August–September 2008. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  27. ↑ Maillard, Pierre. "Patek Philippe: pioneers of silicon". www.europastar.com. Retrieved 23 March 2025.
  28. ↑ "Frederique Constant – Tourbillon Manufacture Silicium". Swisstime. Archived from the original on 6 March 2008. Retrieved 14 September 2026.
  29. ↑ Jasper, Kelly (March 2014). "The Value Proposition: The Frederique Constant Classics Manufacture". Hodinkee. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  30. ↑ Stults, Kyle (18 October 2012). "Frederique Constant Worldtimer Collection". Perpétuelle. Archived from the original on 10 December 2012. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
  31. ↑ Prisca, Adrian (11 July 2011). "Frederique Constant Runabout Moonphase timepiece". Luxatic. Retrieved 15 September 2026.
  32. ↑ Stults, Kyle (22 May 2012). "Frederique Constant Venice Runabout". Perpétuelle. Archived from the original on 14 November 2012. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
  33. ↑ "Frederique Constant and Runabout". Montre24 watch portal. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
  34. ↑ "Esprit Riva et dolce vita pour Frédérique Constant". Le Figaro (in French). 19 July 2024. Retrieved 23 March 2025.
  35. ↑ "Frédérique Constant The horological smartwatch is here!". Worldtempus. 27 February 2015. Archived from the original on 5 March 2015. Retrieved 14 September 2026.
  36. ↑ Pulvirent, Stephen (27 February 2015). "The Swiss Have Finally Started Making Luxury Smartwatches". Bloomberg. Archived from the original on 1 March 2015. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  37. ↑ Mitroff, Sarah (26 February 2015). "Swiss watches are getting smart without sacrificing style". CNET. Archived from the original on 27 February 2015. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
  38. ↑ Ferenczi, Balazs (24 August 2015). "Hands-On Frederique Constant Horological Smartwatch Review". Fratello Watches.
  39. ↑ "The world's first mechanical smartwatch". Retrieved 11 March 2018.
  40. ↑ "Frederique Constant reveals the world's first mechanical smartwatch". 22 February 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
  41. ↑ "Frederique Constant | Frederique Constant Introduces Three New Variations of Its Classics Carrée Ladies Watch | Worldtempus". en.worldtempus.com. Archived from the original on 29 August 2023. Retrieved 23 March 2025.
  42. ↑ "Frédérique Constant Introduces the "Highlife" collection". Professional Watches. 22 September 2020. Retrieved 23 March 2025.
  43. ↑ Austin, Tom (31 January 2026). "Frederique Constant lands at the Time+Tide Watch Discovery Studio". Time and Tide Watches.
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