Rated 4.9 on Chrono24
Frederique Constant
Highlife Chronograph
€2,249
Frederique Constant watches
Frederique Constant was founded in Geneva in 1988 by the Dutch couple Aletta Bax and Peter Stas, with the aim of offering well-designed Swiss watches at accessible prices. The brand is known for its Heart Beat dial opening, its in-house Manufacture calibres and the Highlife collection, a sports watch with an integrated bracelet.
- Founded
- 1988, Geneva
- Based in
- Geneva, Switzerland
- In the collection
- 1 watch
1 watch
Showing 1 of 1
A Geneva brand with Dutch founders
Aletta Bax and Peter Stas founded Frederique Constant in Geneva in 1988 and named it after two of their great-grandparents, Frédérique Schreiner and Constant Stas. Their ambition was to bring carefully finished Swiss watches within reach of a wider audience, and the first watches were presented in 1992.
In 1994 the Heart Beat models introduced an opening in the dial that reveals the beating balance wheel, a feature that became a signature of the brand. In 2004 Frederique Constant presented its first in-house calibre, and since 2016 the company has been part of Citizen Watch Co.
Highlife, Manufacture and Classics
The Highlife is a sports watch with an integrated steel bracelet and a globe-patterned dial, and many versions use a quick-change system for swapping between bracelet and strap. The Highlife Chronograph adds an automatic chronograph to the same design.
The Manufacture collection gathers watches with Frederique Constant's own movements, including complications such as perpetual calendars and tourbillons. The Classics and Slimline lines offer dress watches in a more traditional style, often with a Heart Beat opening or a moonphase display, while the Runabout collection takes its cue from classic wooden motorboats.
What to check on Frederique Constant watches
A pre-owned Frederique Constant gives access to Swiss mechanical watchmaking at a sensible price. Use the reference, which begins with FC, to confirm the movement and configuration, particularly whether a model has an in-house Manufacture calibre. On the Highlife, inspect the integrated bracelet and the quick-change mechanism, and ask about service history for chronographs and complications. On dress models, check whether the original strap and buckle are present, as leather straps are often replaced over the years.
Bare Watches strictly inspects every watch before sale and describes its condition, box and papers. If you would like to buy a Frederique Constant, we can take your current watch in part exchange, and every purchase carries a 12-month warranty on manufacturing defects.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Frederique Constant is based in Geneva and its watches are Swiss made. It was founded by a Dutch couple, which gives the brand a particular connection with the Netherlands. Since 2016 it has belonged to the Japanese Citizen group, while continuing to design and produce its watches in Switzerland.
A Heart Beat dial has an opening through which you can watch the balance wheel of the mechanical movement oscillating back and forth, the beating heart of the watch. Frederique Constant introduced the idea in 1994, and it has remained one of the most recognisable features of the brand's classic models.
A full set means the watch comes with its original box and papers, usually the warranty card issued at the time of sale, and often the booklet as well. For a Highlife, any extra strap supplied with the quick-change system also counts towards completeness. Each Bare Watches listing states exactly what is included with the watch.
Bare Watches is an independent dealer and is not affiliated with, or an authorised dealer of, Frederique Constant. Brand names, model names and logos are trademarks of their respective owners.
