E-Strap – the smart alternative from Frederique Constant

E-Strap – the smart alternative from Frederique Constant

News
Till a short while ago you had to decide if you wanted a classical watch, whether mechanical or quartz, or a smart watch, relatively bulk and heavy with a touchscreen and a short battery life. A short time ago, the Horological Smartwatches from Frederique Constant, Alpina and Salvatore Ferragamo were released, all based on a platform developed by MMT Swiss Connect, offering a smart function in a classical looking watch and with more than one year battery life. But you still have to put away these smartwatches, when you want to wear your favourite classical watch. The next step was achieved by the release, at the end of February, of a watch strap with a built-in smart module, which has the same smart function as the Horological Smartwatches. At last,…
Read More
The rise of the machines – Alpina Seastrong Horological Smartwatch

The rise of the machines – Alpina Seastrong Horological Smartwatch

News
Smartwatches have now a few years of history - from the first connected watches, the Seiko RC Series in 1984 till the well-known Apple watch, the smart watches are considered by some the future of watchmaking, but this remains to be seen... Personally, I prefer to have a classic watch at my wrist, it doesn’t matter if it’s quartz or pure mechanical. I am tight to the telling time hands, I like to see them move and even if I have a smartwatch, I end up by wearing a watch at one wrist and a fitness band at the other’s wrist. I was very happy to hear, in 2015, about the appearance of the first series of Swiss Horological Smartwatches: Frederique Constant, Mondaine and Alpina using the new Horological Smartwatch…
Read More
Frederique Constant Renewing Its Manufacture Heartbeat

Frederique Constant Renewing Its Manufacture Heartbeat

News
One of the most remarkable stories in the wold of watch is that of the Frederique Constant Heartbeat! In 1994 the then very young brand, introduced the signature heartbeat dial to show off the mechanical movement in a more dramatic way on the front of the watch. It was an instant hit, that has been often imitated, yet never quite with the same refinement as Frederique Constant did it. Even when the story would have stopped just there, it would have been quite extraordinary, but it doesn't. While Frederique Constant actually started out making classical watches with third-party movements, in 2004 they introduced their very first manufacture movement! Of course what was more fitting then to put it into a heartbeat model? We are now a generous decade later, and…
Read More
Moonphase And Manufacture: Frederique Constant’s Latest

Moonphase And Manufacture: Frederique Constant’s Latest

News
Yes, the only new thing on the Frederique Constant Slimline Moonphase Manufacture is the dial. So why do we still feature it on Wathisthis?! Because it is the perfect example of how important such details are, and the impact that they have on the overall look. Yes it can even change the experience you have with a watch! Now, the Frederique Constant Moonphase Manufacture is already not a shabby watch to begin with. The word manufacture in its name already says it all. The automatic caliber that powers the watch, FC-705, is made completely in-house by Frederique Constant. At this price point, quite unique, especially since they didn't stop there. The FC-705 is cleverly designed and features for example a full bridge over the balance wheel for the best stability.…
Read More
Citizen acquires Frederique Constant; Some Insights

Citizen acquires Frederique Constant; Some Insights

News
The watch world was shaking, as yesterday Citizen announced that they where taking over Frederique Constant. It is always a touchy subject when a Swiss company is being taken over by a "foreign entity", especially when its coming from Japan. It might help that Peter and Aletta Stas, the founders of Frederique Constant, are not Swiss by birth but Dutch, and spend a long time in Asia. Their road to success been an interesting watch, where they worked themselves up from a quartz-only brand to a full blown Manufacture, earning the respect of the Swiss brands, but more importantly, that of the consumer. [caption id="attachment_855" align="aligncenter" width="632"] Peter & Aletta Stas[/caption] Frederique Constant has shown a stable grow in the last couple of years, mainly by keep pushing the envelope.…
Read More

Proudly presenting Watchisthis?! Magazine

Magazine
Sometimes you need to follow your dreams, chase them out of your head and into the real world. That is what we have been doing the last couple of months. We had a dream of a high-end magazine about more affordable watches. A magazine that talks about both men's as well as ladies watches, but also not neglects vintage watches. That magazine has become a reality because we are proud to present you with the premiere edition of Watchisthis?! Magazine! In our first edition we talk with watch designer Eric Giroud, have a Cartier-expert examine the Apple Watch, interviewed the CEO's of Edox, Nomos, Defakto, Junghans, 88 Rue du Rhone and Frederique Constant, and discover a very unique vintage watch by Louis Vuitton. And that is only the tip of…
Read More
Smart-Watch War; Frederique Constant vs Movado (with video’s)

Smart-Watch War; Frederique Constant vs Movado (with video’s)

News
Frederique Constant surprised the world with a different approach to smart watches. Not a digital display, but classic hands and a link to your smart phone. A clever concept that also made its way to the sisterbrand Alpina. Yet surprisingly this week Movado announced that they would launch smart watches as well. In true Movado fashion, they will be available for sale very soon, and two of the collections rely on the same technology as the Frederique Constant. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3Vrf4gx5g0 Until now, most smart watches were based on different technology. The Pebble is different from the Apple watch, while Samsung has an approach of its own. Frederique Constant and Alpina have the same owners, so they can market their models in such a way that they won't bite each other. Movado…
Read More
New Classics Index Automatic GMT by Frederique Constant

New Classics Index Automatic GMT by Frederique Constant

News
In a time when the world is a global village people travel for many reasons all over the globe. Frederique Constant has just released a watch to accompany you on your travels. The Classics Index Automatic GMT is the type of watch that Frederique Constant always does so well; not a crazy design breakthrough, but a solid, well made watch with a classical touch and an affordable price tag. As straight forward as the design of the New Classics Index Automatic GMT may be, it is far from boring. The dial features silver-colored (of rose gold for the rose gold-plated version) Roman numerals that are sandwiched between printed minute dashes and the 24 hour scale for the second time zone. Stunning leaf-shaped hands give the watch a slightly more classic…
Read More
Frederique Constant; A New Classic Delight

Frederique Constant; A New Classic Delight

News
Frederique Constant recently introduced their latest ladies watch; the new Classics Delight collection. Designing ladies watches is not the easiest thing to do. While men can enjoy a classic dress watch or a robust sports watch, women are haunted by something called fashion, which can out date even the most sophisticated design. Frederique Contant did rise to the challenge with their latest collection for ladies. With a diameter of 28mm the Classic Delight has found a balance between elegantly small, and practically readable. This size is also a sort of safe haven between the waves of fashion; not too big, yet also not too small. Not only the size is contemporary, also the looks. Stainless steel can be combined with a diamond set dial, and/or a diamond set bezel, while…
Read More