Discovering the new Frederique Constant Collection During Geneva Watch Days

Geneva-based watchmaker Frederique Constant has had quite a year so far. We knew that the accessible luxury specialist was capable of great things with the development of multiple complications based on in-house calibres, but the highlight of this year for FC, the Monolithic Oscillator, is a true gamechanger. Last week, during the 2021 edition of the Geneva Watch Days, we visited Frederique Constant in their manufacture in Plan les Ouates, in the outskirts of Geneva. This is where you will find Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, Piaget, Harry Winston and the recently enlarged manufacture of Frederique Constant (and Alpina and Atelier de Monaco). In our video interview with the brand’s Managing Director Niels Eggerding, we will see Frederique Constant’s latest creation, the Highlife Skeleton, and we’ll also discuss the future of the Monolithic Oscillator, which is meant to become a cornerstone in the brand’s portfolio. 

Before talking about the impressive, cutting-edge Monolithic, we of course took a look at the brand’s latest watch, a rather surprising take on the luxury sports watch collection that is the Highlife. Usually a brand of classic codes, Frederique Constant has decided to inject some modernity into this collection of younger, more contemporary watches. The Highlife case sets the stage for an openworked movement designed together with partner Sellita, where the plates and bridges have been opened to reveal the movement’s intricacies, yet without compromising the model’s signature globe pattern. And while available in classic steel with a blue dial, the brand also presents something that moves out of its usual territories, with a titanium PVD coated version that is bolder than ever before.

But meeting with Niels Eggerding was also the occasion for us to have another look at a concept that properly made an impression on us, the innovative Monolithic Oscillator. And, from the words of the brand Managing Director, this is just the beginning of the story, as the Monolithic isn’t meant to remain a concept, or a movement to be fitted in limited edition watches. The brand is currently working on two aspects; one, finding the right way to have this innovative oscillator produced in large quantities; second, working on its accuracy. After the first batch of limited edition models, we’re curious to see how this movement will evolve into the brand’s collection, but Niels is giving us a little hint on what’s coming, “we will bring it back in a modern look watch”… Think about this for a few seconds and you might have in mind what’s coming in a few months…

For more details, please visit frederiqueconstant.com.