Frédérique Constant CEO Niels Eggerding on Innovation, in-house Movements, and Making Swiss Watchmaking Accessible

Niels Eggerding, CEO of Frédérique Constant, continues to steer the Swiss luxury watchmaker toward innovation, in-house movement development, and accessible fine watchmaking. Under the Citizen Group umbrella, the brand champions one philosophy: “Let more people enjoy luxury.” With complications such as perpetual calendars and tourbillons offered at attainable prices—and with the concept high-frequency 40Hz Monolithic Manufacture advancing the brand’s technical ambitions—Frédérique Constant is creating a unique space in Swiss horology. Robb Report India spoke with Eggerding during Dubai Watch Week.

Robb Report India (RRI): How has Dubai Watch Week been for you this year?

Niels Eggerding: This year has been unbelievable. Ahmed Seddiqi is celebrating its 75th anniversary and has brought together 90 brands and nearly 50,000 visitors. When you think about it, the scale now rivals—and in some ways surpasses—Watches & Wonders [of Geneva]. What stands out is how the world of watchmaking gathers here in an informal, accessible environment to talk about watches. We’re very happy to be part of it.

RRI: How do you define Frédérique Constant for your customers?

NE: For us, Frédérique Constant represents the young, innovative watchmaker from Geneva. We are deeply committed to pure watchmaking, operating from a 6,000-square-metre manufacturing space in Geneva. We offer, what I believe, is the best value proposition in the market. Our range of complications is remarkably broad—tourbillons, perpetual calendars, world timers. And yet, we maintain accessibility. Our core price segment is between EUR 1,000 and EUR 3,000, and that is where we build trust.

Although our manufacture movements represent only about seven per cent of our volume, they account for 20–25 per cent of our value. More importantly, they tell our story. They give us credibility as a Swiss manufacture despite being a comparatively young brand. People often think we produce a huge variety of movements, but in reality, we manufacture around six key movements that are fully industrialised. This allows us to keep prices fair.

RRI: How do you balance aesthetics and technicality?

NE: When Frédérique Constant started, we had to differentiate ourselves from the larger brands. The dial is the largest surface of the watch. It’s where you immediately gain or lose customer interest. So, since the beginning, refinement and visual detail have been essential to our identity. We strive for a high-end look and feel—on the dial, case, hands, and finishing—combined with an in-house movement and an attractive price. That trio makes our watches compelling.

RRI: What have been some of your key launches this year?

NE: We have many new models. The first is a pure quartz model, priced around EUR 1,200. It is called Moneta, from the Italian word for “coin.” The dial ring features a distinctive coined finish that brings character and depth. The model shown here has a matte black dial and yellow-gold-plated case. It’s clean, classic, and entirely in line with the Frédérique Constant DNA. At a glance, you wouldn’t even realise it’s a quartz watch!

We've also launched something very special: the Bamford collaboration. The Highlife Chronograph Automatic is a limited edition of 100 pieces, featuring a titanium case with DLC coating and a frosted finish never before used by the brand. Inside is a La Joux-Perret chronograph movement with a 62-hour power reserve. We’ve even used Bamford’s typography for the Frédérique Constant logo on the dial—another first.

The watch with George Bamford comes with three straps, delivered directly in the box, and is incredibly comfortable to wear. It’s 41 mm and priced at EUR 4,495. Collaborations like this allow us to step outside our comfort zone and bring excitement to the brand. They attract both our established customers and Bamford’s following, while also reaching a completely new audience.

RRI: How do geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty affect your global strategy?

NE: The challenges are real, and they affect the entire industry. Yet for us, there is still room to grow. We should always be able to grow, regardless of the climate. China remains complicated, as does much of Asia. India, however, is growing strongly—while it’s not comparable to China in size, it is one of our top five high-growth markets, and we’ve been present there for 20 years. Europe—Italy, the UK, France—is also strong. The U.S. is performing exceptionally well; it’s almost like a machine. Mexico and Canada are also expanding.

RRI: How many calibres does Frédérique Constant have today?

NE: I’ve stopped counting! But it’s around 33. More importantly, our manufacture work is built on three core conceptions:

• 700 Series: the foundation for most of our movements, including the Worldtimer, Moonphase, and Calendar.

• 800 Series: the high-frequency 40Hz Monolithic.

• 900 Series: the tourbillon.

These form the basis of our six key industrialised movements, from which various complications and references are developed.

RRI: Has the Monolithic movement been fully industrialised, or will it remain limited?

NE: It will always remain limited. While we have continued developing it, the next major launch will be in 2027, but in small quantities. It will occupy the highest price segment of our collection. The Monolithic is a showcase of innovation; we will always keep exclusive.