At a special event hosted by Frederique Constant in Istanbul, we sat down with the brand’s CEO, Niels Eggerding, to talk about the world of watches.
Against the backdrop of The Peninsula Istanbul and its sweeping views of the Bosphorus, members of the Turkish press gathered for an intimate watchmaking event to discover Frederique Constant’s latest creations alongside some of the brand’s classics. The Manchette watches, wrapping around the wrist with their distinctive bracelets, were among the highlights, as were elegant, understated timepieces featuring moonphase displays. Following the presentation, we sat down with Frederique Constant CEO Niels Eggerding to discuss the brand’s identity and its perspective on the Turkish market.
How would you define Frederique Constant’s identity?
We are a young, innovative Geneva-based brand with a history of around 40 years. Despite being relatively young, we have developed a significant number of in-house movements. I would describe our DNA as elegant and classic. Frederique Constant is a brand that creates high-quality watches at accessible price points.
Could you tell us about some of your latest novelties?
The Classic Manchette watches you see here are among our latest introductions, featuring the collection’s distinctive cuff-style bracelet design. Another novelty is the Classics Moneta Handwinding, a watch we are particularly proud of, which has been nominated in the “Challenge” category at this year’s GPHG. We have also introduced new Highlife models featuring interchangeable bracelets and in-house movements.
What has been exciting you most lately?
I have been with Frederique Constant for more than 15 years, and I would say that travelling to different places and meeting new people remains one of the most exciting parts of my work. I also have a wonderful team that makes it possible for me to approach each day with enthusiasm and confidence. Seeing the brand grow in so many different ways together with them is equally exciting.
Do you have an emotional connection with watches?
We work very closely with the design team, and every watch we create passes through my hands. I am very involved in the product development side of the business. On a more personal level, I would say I have a particularly strong emotional connection with the Highlife collection. It was a collection I developed together with my designer, whom we sadly lost at a very young age last year. As a result, the collection has come to hold a very special place for me.
What do you think about the Turkish market?
Türkiye is a growing market for watchmaking. It has a large population and also serves as a crossroads for markets such as the Middle East and Russia. This is contributing to the growth of luxury consumption in the country, while the development of the sector is also creating greater opportunities within the mid-range segment.
