Frederique Constant CEO Niels Eggerding
Niels, to get to know you a little more, let’s start with some quick-fire questions. Your favourite holiday destination? The south of France or at the chalet, spending time with my family and a glass of red wine. Your favourite music bands or singers? Lenny Kravitz, The XX, James Vincent McMorrow, Charlie Cunningham. Your favourite cuisine? Italian. Automatic or manual-winding watch? Definitely automatic. Which Frederique Constant watch do you wear most of the time? I would say now: the Frederique Constant Highlife Chronograph.
You’ve been in the watchmaking business for two decades. Outside of watches, what are some of your interests or hobbies? I love boating and hiking, as I have a chalet in the mountains. I also like doing a lot of maintenance on my house and garden, being outside and getting some fresh air. So it’s either sport on the water with a boat, hiking in the mountains, or working around the house. In 10 words, how would you best describe Frederique Constant? A classical yet sport-chic brand, mid-range, luxury finishes, manufacture calibres and extremely innovative. That’s more than 10 words. [Laughs]
The Frederique Constant Highlife Worldtimer Manufacture celebrates Frederique Constant’s thirty-fifth anniversary
You took over the reins of Frederique Constant in February 2018. What were some goals you set for the brand and how is the progress so far?
I work on three-year plans. Once they’re all setup, I look at the next. When I started in 2018, my goal was to bring a watch into the collection that would gain a new audience. Frederique Constant was very classical but didn’t have a sport-chic model with an integrated bracelet. Introducing the Highlife collection featuring and intergrated and interchangeable bracelet was part of the three-year plan to potentially gain 25% to 30% and, in 5 years, 40%. Last year, we managed to reach 40% of the business with it, so I’m very satisfied. The plan is for this collection to maintain, but it should not exceed 45% to 50% of the business. You’ll see a new classic manufacture design coming out next year; to strengthen our second flagship collection.
How does Frederique Constant set itself apart from the other watchmakers as a relatively young brand?
Innovation. We do things differently and we truly innovate. We have done smartwatches, in-house calibres, perpetual calendar calibres, flyback chronographs and tourbillons with accessible pricing. We also have serious conception done in-house. We have a monolithic oscillator too, don’t forget about that. We differentiate ourselves by being in the volume price segment between 1000 to 4000 euros.
While conducting my research, I came across the terms “accessible prices” and “sensible prices” on the website. Do you feel consumers might see this as a negative connotation to Frederique Constant?
We have been building the brand for the past 35 years with thisaccessible luxury segment — this approach. In the upcoming years, it will be reinforced as we’ll add even more luxourious finishes on the watches than is has ever been, even 10 years ago. Today, the supply chain doesn’t allow us to push volumes; it’s under pressure for the years to come. So our aim is to stay in the price segment we currently are, and add value not only through details but also by developing new calibres, to position the brand slightly higher.
Frederique Constant will be retailed exclusively in Watches of Switzerland Singapore. Was this a difficult decision to make?
No, my first trip 11 years ago, when I started with Frederique Constant, was to Singapore and The Hour Glass. We already had coverage that was of very high level and quality. The Hour Glass is the perfect platform, a retailer that knows what manufacture means and how to communicate and sell it. The collaboration stopped at some point, but now we are back. I have to say we are with the right partner and it wasn’t a difficult decision.
What synergies do you identify between Frederique Constant and Watches of Switzerland Singapore and The Hour Glass?
People with a true passion for watches. We are very passionate and driven, and they are very much aligned with our values. This helps bring the message of the brand across.
How do you think this partnership will help expand Frederique Constant’s presence in Singapore and Southeast Asia?
I see Singapore as a fine watchmaking country that is comparable to Switzerland. Singapore is a strong educational country, towards the world even, with leading watch connoisseurs, platforms and medias. The Hour Glass is one of the most luxurious retailers in the world. So this partnership will definitely help us, even on a global scale.
Lastly, which Frederique Constant collection do you think is a good entry point for someone entirely new to watches?
I would go for the Highlife. It’s a very nice watch with an integrated and interchangeable bracelet. In Southeast Asia, bracelet watches are still important. The watch is always present on the wrist and comes with an extra rubber or suede strap. It’s one watch with two or three looks, and it starts around USD 1600. I’d suggest the Frederique Constant Classics Worldtimer Manufacture “Globetrotter” for the collector. It’s a beautiful, exclusive timepiece with an in-house manufacture movement. We launched it 10 years ago, and it’s fully adjustable through the crown without extra pushers to set the city disc, date and time. This is the brand’s first timepiece featuring a titanium sandblasted case. It is unique as we had never developped a case with this black and anthracite colour combination before. Another particularity of this watch, the city disc shows the airport codes instead of the city names. This model is limited to 300 pieces, so I would definitely recommend it.
Click here to catch up with our March 2023 issue after you’re done with this interview with Frederique Constant CEO Niels Eggerding.
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