Frederique Constant

Who are Frederique Constant?

Frederique Constant is a Swiss watch company based in Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, founded in 1988 by the Dutch couple Aletta and Peter Stas (Frederique Constant; Wikipedia). Since 2016 it has been owned by the Japanese watchmaker Citizen. This page covers its history, how its watches are made, the collections and who owns it, then what to check when buying a pre-owned Frederique Constant in the UK.

The company sells quartz and mechanical watches, and since 2004 has made some of its own movements, which it groups as “Manufacture” models (Frederique Constant). Alpina and Ateliers deMonaco belong to the same group (JCK). The brand writes its name without accents; Wikipedia and some press use “Frédérique Constant”.

The history of Frederique Constant

Frederique Constant’s history runs from a couple designing watches in 1988 to a Geneva manufacture owned by Citizen. The key dates are the founding (1988), the Heart Beat (1994), the first in-house calibre (2004), the Plan-les-Ouates building (2006) and the sale to Citizen (2016).

The founders and the name. Aletta and Peter Stas began designing their own watch collection in 1988 (Frederique Constant). The name joins those of Peter Stas’s great-grandparents, Frédérique Schreiner and Constant Stas; Constant Stas founded a watch-dial company in 1904 (Wikipedia).

Early collections. In 1992 the brand launched an 18th Century Collection, with Swiss movements assembled by a Geneva watchmaker. The first Heart Beat watch followed in 1994, with an opening in the dial at 12 o’clock showing the balance wheel. In 1997 the founders moved to Carouge, in Geneva, and the brand exhibited at Baselworld for the first time (Frederique Constant). The Highlife collection, with a strap built into the case, followed in 1999 (Europa Star).

Alpina and the first movement. In 2001 the watchmaker Pim Koeslag joined the development team, and in 2002 the company acquired Alpina, a Swiss watchmaker founded in 1883 (Frederique Constant; Wikipedia). In 2004 it launched the FC-910, its first calibre developed and assembled in-house, with the Heart Beat opening at 6 o’clock (Frederique Constant).

A Geneva manufacture. In 2006 the company moved into a 3,200 m² manufacture building in Plan-les-Ouates, and in 2019 extended it to 6,200 m² (Frederique Constant). In 2008 it launched its first in-house tourbillon and created Ateliers deMonaco within the group (Frederique Constant); Wikipedia gives both 2008 and 2009 for Ateliers deMonaco’s founding. In 2015 it released what it calls “the first Swiss Made smartwatch featuring connected functions”, and in 2018 the Classic Hybrid Manufacture, which combines a mechanical movement with connected functions (Frederique Constant; Wikipedia).

Citizen. On 26 May 2016 Citizen Watch Co. agreed to acquire the Frederique Constant group, including Alpina and Ateliers deMonaco (JCK). Citizen records Frederique Constant becoming a consolidated subsidiary in July 2016 (Citizen Watch Co.). The founders said they wanted to secure the company’s future beyond themselves (JCK).

Since the sale. In February 2018 Niels Eggerding became managing director, and WorldTempus reported that Peter Stas would stay on as transitional chief executive until the end of 2020. In 2021 the FC-810 monolithic movement became the brand’s 30th in-house calibre, and in 2023, its 35th year, the brand showed at Watches and Wonders for the first time and released its 31st (Frederique Constant).

What is Frederique Constant known for?

Frederique Constant is known for the Heart Beat dial opening, for developing its own movements, and for combining mechanical watches with connected functions. It describes its aim as making Swiss luxury watches “accessible to watch lovers and connoisseurs alike” (Frederique Constant).

The Heart Beat. The Heart Beat is an opening in the dial over the balance wheel, so the wearer can see the movement working. It first appeared in 1994 and was carried over to the first in-house calibre in 2004 (Frederique Constant).

Where the watches are made. Frederique Constant says that since 2004 its Manufacture calibres have been “in-house developed, in-house produced, in-house assembled”, and that each of its watches “is individually assembled by hand” (Frederique Constant, guarantee and instructions booklet). That applies to the Manufacture range; many other models in the Classics, Slimline and Highlife collections use quartz or outside automatic movements, such as the Heart Beat automatic (Frederique Constant, Slimline collection). Our guide to in-house and outsourced movements explains why the difference matters to buyers.

How many movements. The brand’s figures change over time and between pages: its history page counts the FC-810 of 2021 as its 30th in-house movement and a 2023 calibre as its 31st, while Wikipedia gives a total of 33.

Silicon and smart watches. Wikipedia reports that the company began producing silicon escape wheels in February 2007. In 2015 Frederique Constant and Alpina introduced a “Horological Smartwatch”, and in 2018 the Hybrid Manufacture added connected functions to a mechanical watch (Wikipedia).

Which Frederique Constant collections are there?

Frederique Constant’s range is organised into Classics, Slimline, Highlife, Manufacture and Runabout, with men’s and women’s lines in several of them (Wikipedia; Frederique Constant). Several collections mix quartz, automatic and in-house watches.

The collections table on this page gives a line on each family. A few points help when you read listings:

• “Manufacture” in the name. Models with “Manufacture” in the name use the brand’s own calibres, for example the Classic Worldtimer Manufacture with the FC-718 or the Flyback Chronograph Manufacture with the FC-760 (Frederique Constant). Other models with similar names may have outside movements.
• Heart Beat versions. “Heart Beat” describes the dial opening, not a single movement; it appears on both automatic and Manufacture watches (Frederique Constant). Check the calibre number on the listing.
• Highlife generations. The original Highlife of 1999 had a strap built into the case without lugs; the 2020 relaunch, in a 41 mm case, has a strap or bracelet that is removed by pressing two push-pins, without tools (Europa Star). Check which generation a listing is.
• Quartz and smart models. The range includes quartz and connected watches. Our mechanical versus quartz guide explains the difference.
• Runabout limited editions. Many Runabout watches have been limited editions (Frederique Constant). Check the edition number against the papers.

Who owns Frederique Constant?

Frederique Constant is owned by Citizen Watch Co., Ltd., the Japanese watchmaker. Citizen agreed to buy the group on 26 May 2016 (JCK), and its corporate history records Frederique Constant becoming a consolidated subsidiary in July 2016 (Citizen Watch Co.). Citizen lists Frederique Constant Holding S.A., in Plan-les-Ouates, among its European group companies (Citizen Watch Co.).

The group bought from the Stas family included Frederique Constant, Alpina and Ateliers deMonaco (JCK). Citizen’s chief executive at the time, Toshio Tokura, said the deal would let Citizen expand Frederique Constant’s sales through its existing channels, particularly in Japan and the US (JCK). In 2018 WorldTempus reported that the Stas children would not take over the company.

Niels Eggerding has run the company since 2018, first as managing director (WorldTempus); Wikipedia lists him as chief executive. Citizen also owns other watch businesses, including Bulova and Prothor Holding, according to its corporate history; our page on Citizen covers the parent company.

Buying a pre-owned Frederique Constant in the UK: what to check

Check that the watch comes with its warranty card or the certificate stamped by the retailer, find out whether the two-year warranty was activated and how much is left, ask for the service history, and run a stolen-watch check. For a Manufacture or Heart Beat model, confirm the calibre matches the listing.

1. Papers and the full set. Frederique Constant’s warranty takes effect only once activated through the QR code on the eWarranty card or on the certificate of authenticity signed and stamped by the authorised retailer. Purchase invoices alone are not accepted, though the company may make exceptions (Frederique Constant). Ask the seller for the card or certificate. Our guide to what “full set” means explains what each item proves.

2. Warranty. The standard warranty runs for two years from purchase and is honoured by authorised retailers and service centres in any country. It excludes accidental damage, normal wear, and repairs by anyone outside an authorised Frederique Constant service centre (Frederique Constant). The warranty page does not say whether the cover passes to a later owner, or set out any extension for registering the watch. See watch warranties explained.

3. The movement. Listings often make a point of whether a watch has an in-house calibre. Check the calibre number (for example FC-718 or FC-810) against the listing, the caseback and the papers. A watchmaker can confirm it when checking authenticity; our guide on how to spot a fake watch covers what they look at.

4. Servicing. Frederique Constant’s warranty page says service conditions vary by product and refers to its general terms (Frederique Constant). Ask when the watch was last serviced, whether by an authorised service centre, and for the paperwork.

5. Stolen-watch check. Check the serial number against a stolen-watch register before you pay. Our stolen-watch check guide lists the UK registers.

6. Who you buy from. An authorised retailer, an independent dealer and a private seller offer different protections, and a dealer’s own warranty is a promise from the dealer, not from Frederique Constant. Our guide to buying from a private seller or a dealer sets out the differences.

For the full process from setting a budget to collecting the watch, see the guide to buying a luxury watch.

Frequently asked questions

Who owns Frederique Constant?

Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. of Japan. It agreed to buy the group in May 2016, and Frederique Constant became a consolidated Citizen subsidiary in July 2016 (JCK; Citizen Watch Co.).

Is Frederique Constant a Swiss brand?

Yes. It is based in Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, and its watches are assembled there (Frederique Constant). Its founders are Dutch and its owner is Japanese.

Who founded Frederique Constant?

Aletta and Peter Stas, in 1988 (Frederique Constant; Wikipedia).

Where does the name Frederique Constant come from?

From Peter Stas’s great-grandparents, Frédérique Schreiner and Constant Stas (Wikipedia).

Does Frederique Constant make its own movements?

For its Manufacture models, yes: it has developed and made its own calibres since the FC-910 of 2004 (Frederique Constant). Many other models use quartz or outside automatic movements.

What is a Frederique Constant Heart Beat?

A watch with an opening in the dial over the balance wheel, so you can see the movement working. It first appeared in 1994 (Frederique Constant).

How long is the Frederique Constant warranty?

Two years from purchase, once the warranty has been activated through the eWarranty card or the retailer’s stamped certificate (Frederique Constant).

What is the link between Frederique Constant and Alpina?

Frederique Constant acquired Alpina in 2002, and both are part of the group Citizen bought in 2016 (Frederique Constant; JCK).

Is Frederique Constant the same company as Citizen?

No. It is a separate Swiss company owned by Citizen Watch Co. (Citizen Watch Co.).

This page is general information. Watch60 is independent and has no commercial relationship with Frederique Constant or Citizen.

We check the facts on this page against the sources listed, and it is correct to the best of our knowledge as of October 2026. Brands change their warranty, servicing and sales terms, so confirm them with the brand or the seller before you buy.