Frederique Constant has come a long way since its inception in 1988. To think, that merely three decades ago, a brand that started from scratch, today represents not only the past but also the future of Swiss watchmaking!
For the longest time the brand was one of the very few independent family run organisations, which is one of the reasons why I could personally always relate to it.
From assisting them with their first brand ambassador in India, Nicole Faria – Miss India & Miss earth 2010, I have been associated with Frederique Constant for almost a decade now.
I feel that we are in the midst of an era where everyone just seems to be obsessing over the term luxury. Well luxury is a very relative term. A Swiss brand that designs, develops and assembles all its watches in-house under strict quality control also qualifies as luxurious right? Frederique Constant for me is brand that stands true to its vision – which is high-quality Swiss watches at accessible prices.
Even through the brand has always stayed loyal to classic Swiss watchmaking like the vintage rally collection, the runabout watches, the manufacture, the slimline, Frederique Constant also has a very futuristic approach. It was also the first Swiss watch brand to introduce the “horological smart watch” in 2015. But it doesn’t end there. Last month I had the privilege to witness the brands new 3000 sq ft manufacture unit, a brand new addition to their already existing manufacture space in Geneva. That itself speaks volumes of the future and credibility of this brand.
Over this weekend Frederique Constant, launched the new Slimline Power Reserve Manufacture watches at a private event at the St. Regis in Mumbai. The evening was graced by the presence of Williams Besse, International Sales Director, Frederique Constant, Arun D’Silva, India Director, Frederique Constant, media delegates and various friends of the brand (including yours truly) who also shared their experiences with the Frederique Constant family. The brand also announced our very own, digital sensation and luxury blogger Riaan George as their newest friend of the brand and member of the Frederique Constant family in India by presenting him with a watch.
As the brand added its 28th in-house caliber within its Manufacture with an extraordinary 50-hour power reserve function in-house movement, it was absolute honour for me to address the crowd to share my experiences and association with Frederique Constant. This new Slimline Power Reserve Manufacture collection has been designed with the renowned FC-703 base, where the Power Reserve module has been added to create the new FC-723 Manufacture automatic caliber.
The Slimline Power Reserve Manufacture watches are available in four models and boasts of a 40mm case either in stainless steel or in rose gold-plated stainless steel with different dial colors (silver, dark grey or navy blue). Each dial has a sunray decoration to complement the classic design of the elongated feuille hands and printed Roman numerals.. The easy-to-read power reserve indicator is displayed at 10 o’clock on the dial with a red sector indicating.
True to its roots and values created by its founders, Peter and Aletta Stas, Frederique Constants, always strives to introduce innovative and finest timepieces. Slimline Power Reserve watches is one such collection that is made with technical and mechanical boundaries and see-through case back. This is the first watch to come with a power reserve indicator on its dial, it makes perfect collection to add a power reserve to the brand’s fleet of value-driven timepieces.
The collection has been very carefully designed to give classic look and a touch of asymmetry provided by the power reserve indicator, and has the best quality power reserve function . Of the entire collection, the navy blue dial stood out and was a clear winner for me.