Frederique Constant And Alpina Introduce A Variety Of Models During Geneva Watch Days

Both Frederique Constant and Alpina grace us with multiple releases during Geneva Watch Days 2024. Alpina adds a skeletonized version of its Alpiner Extreme to the lineup and surprises us with classic silhouettes joining the Heritage collection. Frederique Constant focuses on the Classics line with a tourbillon and a moonphase model, both with spectacular dials. Additionally, the brand adds three different versions of the Classics Carrée Small Seconds for fans of rectangular watches.

It’s always fun to see what new introductions Frederique Constant and Alpina come up with. In recent years, the latter brand, which FC acquired in 2002, has focused quite a bit on sporty tool watches through additions to the Alpiner and Seastrong lines. In that light, the new skeletonized version of the Alpiner Extreme shouldn’t come as a big shock. More surprising, though, are two Heritage Automatic models that will surely win people over with their retro styling.

Alpina Heritage Automatic models

Alpina’s two Heritage Automatic models take inspiration from classic watches from the 1920s to the 1940s. The retro styling suits these two models incredibly well. Both feature a straight-lugged 38mm stainless steel case, measure 10.15mm thick, and come fitted with box-type sapphire crystal. The cases of both models have a 30m water resistance rating. Hidden behind both watches’ stainless steel case backs, you will find the brand’s AL-520 caliber based on the Sellita SW200-1. The automatic movement operates at 28,800vph and offers 38 hours of power reserve.

If we zoom in on the different dials, we’ll find two distinct styles. The first model features a beige dial with printed black Arabic numerals at the hours encircled by a printed black track with small numerals for every five seconds/minutes. It’s a nice dial design that has quite a bit of character. What immediately stands out are the large hour numerals that are a bit reminiscent of the oversized numerals on classic railroad watches. The blue PVD-treated handset contrasts the beige dial and black markings, creating a nice overall presence. Finally, a black calfskin strap with tone-on-tone stitching and a steel pin buckle rounds out the stylish look. 

An Art Deco-inspired Heritage Automatic model

The second release in this line has a slightly more colorful dial. While matte beige in the center, it also features a silver-colored outer ring with a sunray finish that holds the printed bronze Arabic numerals and indexes. You will find the printed black minutes/seconds track on the sloping edge of the dial. Like the first model, this watch includes a set of blue PVD-coated hands. The watch also has a black calfskin strap, tone-on-tone stitching, and a stainless steel pin buckle. Overall, the design of this model is outspoken and adds a touch of color. Both watches are a stylish addition to the Alpina Heritage lineup and will be available for €1,695.

Alpina Alpiner Extreme Skeleton Automatic

Two more novelties are the Alpine Extreme Skeleton Automatic models. The first comes with a gray open-worked dial and a stainless steel bracelet. The second model has a blue open-worked dial and a blue rubber strap. Both watches feature a brushed and polished stainless steel case that measures 39mm wide and 11.5mm thick with a 200m depth rating and a screw-down crown. Visible through the sapphire display of the screw-fastened case back is the AL-520 Skeleton caliber. This open-worked version of the movent that also powers the regular Alpiner Extreme Automatic operates at 28,800vph and offers 38 hours of power reserve. 

Let’s zoom in on the two different versions, starting with the all-steel one. It features a gray open-worked dial with a matte finish. The applied pearl-black hour markers are filled with white Super-LumiNova for great visibility in the dark. On the rehaut, you will see the minute track, and hovering above the dial is a set of hand-polished pearl-black hour and minute hands filled with white Super-LumiNova. The slim pearl-black seconds hand is also manually polished and features a red triangle, referring to the brand’s logo, as the counterweight. This watch is fitted with a stainless steel H-link bracelet with a folding clasp and will be available for €2,695.

The Alpiner Extreme Skeleton Automatic in blue

The second model features a blue open-worked dial with a matte finish. This one, too, has applied pearl-black indices filled with white Super-LumiNova. The dial’s outer ring is also navy blue and features a white printed minute track. The blue execution of the dial adds a hint of color that contrasts nicely with the case and visible parts of the movement. Like in the first model, the hand-polished handset consists of pearl-black hour and minute hands with white Super-LumiNova and a slim seconds hand with a red triangular counterweight. This model comes fitted with a blue rubber strap with a folding buckle and will be available for €2,395.

The Frederique Constant Classics Carrée Small Seconds

Now it’s on to the Frederique Constant novelties. To start, the brand introduces three quartz-powered Classics Carrée Small Seconds models. All of them feature a rectangular case that measures 25.2mm wide, 36mm long, and just 5.85mm thick. The polished case offers a 30m water resistance rating and has a screw-fastened back. Hidden behind that case back is the brand’s FC-235 quartz caliber, which offers 25 months of battery life. 

Examining the different models, we see that two of them feature regular stainless steel cases. They both house a matte silver-colored dial with black Roman numerals and black hands. Located at 6 o’clock is a sub-seconds register, also with a black hand. The two watches offer the Cartier Tank-like style that many people love, so I think these models will be popular. The first comes on a black calf leather strap with an embossed crocodile-scale pattern and tone-on-tone stitching. The watch will be available for €895.

The second model comes on a stainless steel seven-row bracelet with a folding clasp. I like the look of the watch on the bracelet a lot, but with watches like this, it’s fun to change things up depending on the occasion or your outfit. The bracelet version will be available for €995. A fun detail is that Frederique Constant does not target these watches specifically at ladies. The case size is slightly bigger than the current Classics Carrée Ladies models and slightly smaller than the Carrée models for gentlemen. And I can see that these Small Seconds models will look good on women’s wrists and smaller men’s wrists as well.

A diamond-set Frederique Constant Classics Carrée Small Seconds

The third and last model features a case set with 158 diamonds totaling 1.185 carats. Although, as stated above, Frederique Constant does not specifically target women with these watches, it’s easy to understand that this third model will be more popular with ladies. The watch features the same matte silver-colored dial with small seconds at 6 o’clock and black hands for the hours, minutes, and small seconds. Like the regular model, it comes on a black calf leather strap featuring an embossed crocodile-scale pattern and tone-on-tone stitching. This special diamond-set version will be available for €3,895.

The Frederique Constant Classic Tourbillon Manufacture

The most impressive Frederique Constant release this time is the latest Classic Tourbillon Manufacture. While the model is not new, this spectacular execution presents the watch in an 18K white gold case housing a spectacular blue aventurine dial. Combining the two with the visible tourbillon mechanism creates a stylish and technically impressive watch. The polished white gold case measures 39mm in diameter and 10.99mm thick. It’s water resistant to 30 meters and comes fitted with an AR-coated convex sapphire crystal.

The big showstopper is the beautiful blue aventurine dial paired with applied silver-colored indices. These match the hand-polished hour and minute hands perfectly. Located at 6 o’clock, you will find the 60-second tourbillon and a small silver-colored seconds hand. Visible through the sapphire display of the white gold case back is the brand’s in-house FC-980-4 caliber.

This automatic movement comprises 188 parts and features a silicon escapement wheel and anchor. The caliber operates at 28,800vph, has 33 jewels, and provides 38 hours of power reserve. The watchmakers at Frederique Constant finished the movement beautifully with a mix of chamfering, Geneva stripes, perlage, and mirror polishing. Lastly, the open-worked gold rotor ensures a clear view of the movement at all times.

Each watch in this 36-piece limited series will feature an individual LE number engraved on the movement and case back. The new Frederique Constant Classic Tourbillon Manufacture comes fitted with a matching blue alligator strap with a white gold pin buckle and will be available for €39,995.

The Frederique Constant Classic Moonphase Date Manufacture

The last Frederique Constant novelty is the Classic Moonphase Date Manufacture. It’s another model we know from the brand, but this time, it is executed with a white gold case and a stunning green malachite dial. The three-part polished white gold case measures 40mm in diameter and 12.4mm thick. Like the Classic Tourbillon model, the watch has a convex sapphire crystal and is water resistant to 30 meters.

The white gold case is paired with a green malachite dial with a moonphase indicator and pointer date at 6 o’clock. The circle and numerals of the date indication are all printed in white, except the “31” numeral, which is printed in bright red. As you can see, it adds a nice splash of contrasting color to this wonderful dial. Just like the tourbillon model, the dial of this Moonphase Date features silver-colored applied indices and manually polished silver-colored hands. 

The FC-716 movement

Powering the Classic Moonphase Date Manufacture is the brand’s manufacture FC-716 caliber. It’s an automatic movement that operates at 28,800vph, has 26 jewels, and offers 72 hours of power reserve. Although the movement does not feature the elaborate finishing of the tourbillon model, the combination of perlage and fan-shaped Côtes de Genève decorations still makes for a pretty picture through the sapphire window of the case back.

The watch has a dark green alligator leather strap, tone-on-tone stitching, and a white gold buckle. Like the tourbillon model, the new Classic Moonphase Date Manufacture will have a production run of just 36 pieces. Each will be individually numbered and priced at €29,995. 

Final thoughts on the new Alpina and Frederique Constant novelties for Geneva Watch Days

Overall, it’s great to see the variety of Alpina and Frederique Constant releases. The ones that stand out for me particularly are the two Alpina Heritage Automatic models. They both look promising, and I can’t wait to take them for a spin. Regarding Frederique Constant, seeing the two special dial variants of the Manufacture models is impressive. But the Classics Carrée Small Seconds stand out because of their style and great value for money. These watches show the great variety both brands can offer, and that’s worth a compliment. 

For more information on the new Alpina novelties, visit the brand’s official website. Of course, you can learn more about the other new releases on Frederique Constant’s website as well. Let us know in the comments section which of these new introductions is your favorite.