Represented by Doğuş Group, one of the leading names in the luxury watch industry in our country, Frederique Constant presented its new models to the leading figures of the society and art world with a special launch held recently. In addition to the new models that we had the opportunity to see within this beautiful event, we also had the chance to have a pleasant interview with the General Manager of the brand, Niels Eggerding. Here are the notes from the interview where we talked about the success and future plans of the brand with the successful manager…
BB: First of all, we are very happy to be taking part in such physical events after a long break due to the pandemic. How was that two-year period we left behind for Frederique Constant? What changes has it brought?
NE: I think we learned a lot. It has been a painful process for many of us, and I must say that Frederique Constant has been impacted considerably. The year 2020 was mainly affected in terms of sales because of the various lockdowns, therefore impacting the stocks directly and the profitability. The second year experienced a small recovery, but then we faced issues regarding the supply chain. In 2022, the orders have strongly increased, but now the main challenge concerns the deliveries. Because of the pandemic, we face a shortage in certain components and longer delivery times, therefore impacting the assembly of final products. Meaning that now, need to foresee at an even earlier stage which product might be successful or not. So, the whole process needs to be redefined. However, I do take this as a great opportunity.
BB: If we look at the Swiss Watch Industry standards, Frederique Constant is a very young brand. What effect did this have on the brand?
NE: Indeed, Frederique Constant is a young brand, founded in 1988, which established itself as a major player within the industry through unprecedented technical achievements. The Brand had everything to prove, and being able to provide high-quality and innovative watches at an accessible price represented a great challenge within the existing watchmaking industry. Thanks to a cutting-edge and innovative spirit, the Brand has developed 30 in-house calibers up to this date, the latest being the FC-810 Monolithic Manufacture movement beating at 40 Hz and equipped with a revolutionary mechanism.
BB: I believe the most significant breaking point in the success of the brand in the world of watches was the production of the first in-house movement in 2004. What do you think about this in-house VS outsourced debate regarding movements?
NE: Well, we do work with both kinds of movements. We have started with supplied automatic movements and by now (starting in 2004) we have been able to produce 30 in-house movements. We have developed them with our internal technical and R&D team, and we assemble them within our workshops our Manufacture in Plan-les-Ouates. Being able to develop our own movements testifies to our watchmaking expertise. But I must say that the high selling volumes of automatic movements allowed us to develop these movements and allocate the budget to buy the needed equipment.
BB: In almost every model of Frederique Constant, especially in their price segments, the "accessibility" factor is always at the forefront. How can you provide this?
NE: At Frederique Constant, we are being careful and aren’t spending too much, this is the Dutch mentality. We control our budget very closely, and we rather invest in innovation and finishes, for which consumers get a fair price. Plus, we always reinvest our benefits back into the company. This is the key to survival and to continue to build a strong and efficient strategy as long as selling volume is meeting our expectations. Finally, we take reasonable margins. It’s hard work and it requires a lot of dedication from our employees, but the moment you have it, you can really build your brand in a very accessible and fair way.
BB: The Highlife Collection attracts attention in our country, like the rest of the world. It is a large product group not only in material or color but also in terms of features. What would you like to say about the importance of this model family and your plans for its future?
NE: The Highlife collection that we revived in 2020 has had a huge success since its launch. It has become one of our flagship collections with its elegant, sporty chic, and modern lines. Plus, this collection is very special and dear to me, as I really designed it myself, alongside my team. The Highlife collection really marked the beginning of my appointment as Managing Director of Frederique Constant. The Highlife collection has a wide range of products, from a COSC-certified movement to complex mechanisms such as a perpetual calendar or world-timer calibers. It also comprises models featuring the iconic Heart Beat aperture on the dial, the signature of Frederique Constant, as well as a feminine and diamond-set timepieces. We will continue to extend this collection with impressive innovations, which will be presented in 2023.
