Frederique Constant Watches

Frédérique Constant was established in 1988 by Dutch entrepreneurs, and husband and wife team, Peter and Aletta Stas. They started the company with the goal to produce technically sound watches with mechanical movements at affordable prices. 

Frederique Constant released its first watches in 1992, a collection of six prototype watches using Swiss movements supplied by ETA. Peter displayed the prototype collection at a watch and jewelry show in Hong Kong, which led to the brand receiving its first order of 300 watches.

Exactly two years later, in 1994, the brand launched its Heart Beat model, which featured Sellita movements. The Heart Beat became the brand’s signature model, with the balance wheel visible through the dial, a look that many watch companies use today. 

Aletta and her husband diversified their business and bought Swiss sports watch manufacturer Alpina Watches in 2002 and later, started Ateliers deMonaco SA in 2008.

Together with the École d’Horlogerie de Genève, Frederique Constant developed its first watch movement called the Heart Beat Manufacture caliber in 2004. One of the characteristics of Heart Beat is that the bridge is attached to the front of the balance wheel. In October 2007, The company introduced the Heart Beat Calibre FC 935 Silicium with silicon escapement wheel.

From its original Heart Beat in 2004, Frederique Constant has grown into one of Switzerland’s largest watch manufacturers with a total of 15 different in-house movements. Frederique Constant positions itself in the accessible luxury segment, with most of its watches selling for between CHF 1,000 and 5,000.