After receiving a defective model and of course, it being the last one in stock, I had lost hope I could find another Frederique Constant Moonphase model in my price range. Luckily, I came across a great deal and now have a blemish free watch on my wrist. One aspect of FC that attracts me is this statement:
Each Frédérique Constant watch is hand-assembled and each watch is checked and controlled over a long period of time -by both human beings as well as special equipment to ensure optimal quality. Making no compromises in terms of quality is a strict priority for Frédérique Constant.
For a watch to be called “Swiss Made”, at least 50% of its value has to be added within Switzerland. We go further than that. All our watches are produced within our own workshops in Plan-les-Ouates in the Canton of Geneva. All include a Swiss movement, and are assembled and controlled by highly qualified craftsmen and –women as well as state-of-art equipment. We take the “Swiss Made” label very serious.
Many companies hem and haw about the “Swissness” of their watches. Either they are or they aren’t and FC seems forthright about it.
My first impressions of my new watch:
-subjectively, it has a “weight” of quality
-the dial, while lack 3D decoration, nevertheless has bright silver metallic sheen, and the hour markers and hands are gold tone.
-the leather band is the best in my humble collection. First, the band is shaped to the watch dial and it is supple.
The Company history:
Frédérique Constant was established in its current form in 1988. Aletta Bax and Peter Stas launched their first collection in 1992, comprising six models fitted with Swiss movements and assembled by a watchmaker in Geneva. Frédérique Constant is involved in all the stages of watch production, from initial design to final assembly.
Watches manufactured under its trademark are either designed by Frédérique Constant or by independent designers contracted for a specific series of models. Strong emphasis is placed on watch design to keep abreast of trends and customer preferences. Frédérique Constant uses cutting-edge computer software, principally computer aided design software, to assist in the watch design and development process.
Our mission is not to restrict the interest in Frédérique Constant watches to a limited and elitist circle of connoisseurs but rather to a broader selection of appreciative enthusiasts who want to enjoy high quality classical watches at sensible prices.
Frédérique Constant has exhibited at the World Watch, Clock and Jewellery Show in Basel since 1995. As the company flourished, Aletta Bax and Peter Stas decided to move to Geneva themselves, to develop the brand in the heart of this watchmaking capital.
In 2000, Frédérique Constant opened a new workshop in Chene-Bourg, an attractive commune within the city of Geneva, criss-crossed by narrow, busy streets and very popular with artists.
In 2006, the company moved to a brandnew building in Plan-les-Ouates. The new Frédérique Constant manufacture measures 3200 square meters, divided over four floors, offering an attractive working environment in the sectors of movement component production, calibre assembly, watch assembly, and extensive quality control. Numerically-controlled machines of the latest generation are located in a large atelier in the basement, where all component manufacturing is concentrated. Calibre and watch assembly, as well as state-of-the-art quality control is primarily organized on the first loor of the new Frédérique Constant building. The building is also the brand’s international headquarters.
During the past 23 years, Frederique Constant has grown consistently with 25-30% per year. By the end of 2011, the company aims to produce and sell over 110.000 pieces. With its slogan ‘Live your passion’, Frederique Constant will continue with the passionate development and production of exciting new collections. Current plans give the company strong confidence that sustained growth will continue in the future.
Here are the specs on the FC-330V6B6 Moonphase and Date watch.
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