Frederique Constant and Alpina will delight us with multiple new launches at Geneva Watch Days 2024. Alpina will surprise us with a skeletonized version of the Alpiner Extreme in its lineup, adding a classic silhouette to its Heritage collection. Frederique Constant will focus on its Classic line with stunning dials in both its tourbillon and moon phase models. In addition, the brand has added three different versions of the Classic Calée Small Second for fans of rectangular watches.
It’s always fun to see what new products Frederique Constant and Alpina bring to the table. Alpina, which FC acquired in 2002, has been focusing quite a lot on sporty tool watches in recent years with new additions to its Alpiner and Seastrong lines. In that light, a new skeletonized version of the Alpiner Extreme shouldn’t come as a big shock. What’s more surprising, however, are the two Heritage Automatic models that are sure to grab people’s attention with their retro style.
Alpina Heritage Automatic Model
Alpina’s two Heritage Automatic models take inspiration from classic watches from the 1920s to 1940s. The retro style suits these two models very well. Both have a 38mm stainless steel case with straight lugs, are 10.15mm thick and fitted with a box-shaped sapphire crystal. Both cases are water resistant to 30m. The stainless steel case back of both watches hides the brand’s AL-520 caliber, which is based on the Sellita SW200-1. The automatic movement runs at 28,800vph and has a power reserve of 38 hours.
Zooming in on the different dials, we find two different styles. The first model has a beige dial with aThe hours are marked with black Arabic numerals.A printed black track with small numerals every 5 seconds/minutes. A nice dial design with quite a bit of personality. What immediately stands out are the large hour numerals that are a bit reminiscent of the oversized numerals of classic railroad watches. The blue PVD-finished hands contrast with the beige dial and black scales, creating a nice overall presence. Finally, a black calfskin strap with tone-on-tone stitching and a steel pin buckle completes the stylish look..
Heritage Automatic Model with Art Deco Style
The second instalment in the series has a slightly more colorful dial: the center is matte beige, while the sunburst silver-colored outer ring features bronze Arabic numerals and indices printed on it. A black minute/second track is printed on the beveled edge of the dial.Like the first model, this watch includes a set of bLou PVD Coating The needles are also black. Calfskin strap with tone-on-tone stitching. Stainless steel Pin buckle. Overall, the design of this model is straightforward and features a touch of color. Both watches are stylish additions to the Alpina Heritage range and are priced at 1,695 euros.
Alpina Alpiner Extreme Skeleton Automatic
The other two new releases are the Alpine Extreme Skeleton Automatic models. The first has a grey openwork dial and a stainless steel bracelet. The second has a blue openwork dial and a blue rubber strap. Both watches areHastily polished stainless steel Measurement Case Width 39mm It’s 11.5mm thick, water resistant to 200m, and has a screw-down crown. A sapphire display in the screw-down caseback reveals the AL-520 skeleton caliber. This open-worked version of the movement, which is also found in the regular Alpiner Extreme Automatic, operates at 28,800vph and has a power reserve of 38 hours.
Let’s take a closer look at the two different versions. We’ll start with the all-steel version, which features a grey openwork dial with a matte finish. The applied pearlescent black hour markers are filled with white Super-LumiNova for excellent visibility in the dark. There is a minute track on the reverse and floating above the dial are hand-polished pearlescent black hour and minute hands filled with white Super-LumiNova. The slender pearl black seconds hand is also hand polished and features the brand’s iconic red triangle as a counterweight.The watch comes on a stainless steel H-link bracelet with a folding clasp and is priced at 2,695 euros.
Alpiner Extreme Skeleton Automatic Blue
The second model features a matte blue openwork dial, also with pearlescent black indexes filled with white Super-LumiNova.The outer ring of the dial is also navy blue and features a white printed minute track. The dial’s blue finish lends a beautiful contrasting hue to the visible parts of the case and movement. As with the first model, the hand-polished hands consist of pearl black hour and minute hands filled with white Super-LumiNova, as well as a thin seconds hand with a red triangular counterweight. This model is presented on a blue rubber strap with a folding buckle and will be priced at 2,395 euros.
Frederique Constant Classic Cale Small Second
Now, on to the new products from Frederique Constant. First, the brand has announced three quartz Classic Cale Small Second models. All of them have rectangular cases. 25.2mm width, Length 36mm, It’s just 5.85mm thick. The polished case is water resistant to 30m and has a screw-down case back. Hidden behind the case back is the brand’s FC-235 quartz caliber, with a battery life of 25 months.
If we examine the different models, we can see that two of them feature the usual stainless steel case, while both feature a matte case.Silver The dial has black Roman numerals and black hands. There is a sub-seconds register at 6 o’clock, which also has a black hand. These two watches offer a Cartier Tank-like style that many people love, so I think these models will be popular. The first watch isNot Enough Calf leather strap with embossed crocodile scale pattern Tone on Tonee Stitch. The watch will retail for 895 euros.
The second model is on a stainless steel seven-row bracelet with a folding clasp. I really like the look of watches on a bracelet, and watches like this are fun to change depending on the occasion and outfit. The bracelet version will sell for 995 euros. What’s interesting is that Frederique Constant is not targeting these watches specifically at women. The case size is slightly larger than the current Classic Carré ladies’ models and slightly smaller than the gentleman’s Carré models. I also think these small seconds models look good on both women’s wrists and petite men’s wrists.
Frederique Constant set with diamonds Classic Cale Small Second
The third and final model is 158 Diamond Total 1.185 The 1960s models are especially popular with women. As mentioned above, Frederique Constant does not specifically target these watches at women, but it is easy to see why this third model is so popular with women. This watch features the same matte silver color dial with small seconds at 6 o’clock and black hands for the hours, minutes, and small seconds. Like the regular model, it comes with a black calf leather strap embossed with crocodile scales. Pattern and Tone on Tonee Stitch. This special diamond-set version will retail for 3,895 euros.
Frederique Constant Classic Tourbillon Manufacture
The most impressive Frederique Constant release this time around is their latest Classic Tourbillon Manufacture. While this model isn’t new, this stunning piece features a beautiful blue aventurine dial housed in an 18K white gold case. Combining the two with a visible tourbillon mechanism creates a watch that is both stylish and technically impressive. The polished white gold case is 39mm in diameter and 10.99mm thick. It is water resistant to 30 meters and has an AR coating. Convex sapphire crystal.
The biggest highlight is the combination of a beautiful blue aventurine dial and silver-colored indexes.The hour and minute hands are polished to perfection. At 6 o’clock, there is a 60-second tourbillon and a small silvered seconds hand. The brand’s in-house FC-980-4 caliber is visible through a sapphire display on the white gold case back.
This automatic movement is made up of 188 components and features a silicon escapement and lever. The caliber operates at 28,800 vph, has 33 jewels and offers a 38-hour power reserve. Frederique Constant watchmakers have beautifully finished the movement with an expert combination of bevelling and finishing.Geneva stripes, circular grainmirror polishingFinally, the open-worked gold rotor ensures a clear view of the movement at all times.
Each watch in this limited series of 36 pieces has an individual LE number engraved on the movement and caseback. The Frederique Constant Classic Tourbillon Manufacture comes on a blue alligator strap with a white gold pin buckle and is priced at €39,995.
Frederick Constant Classic Moon Phase date Manufacturing
Frederique Constant’s last new release Classic Moon Phase date Manufacture. A familiar model from the brand, this time finished with a white gold case and a beautiful green malachite dial. The three-part polished white gold case is 40 mm in diameter and 12.4 mm thick. Like the Classic Tourbillon model, this watch has a convex sapphire crystal and is water resistant to 30 meters.
The white gold case is paired with a green malachite dial that features a moon phase indicator and pointer date at 6 o’clock. The date circle and numbers are all printed in white, except for the number “31” which is printed in bright red. As you can see, it adds a nice accent of contrast color to this stunning dial. Like the tourbillon model, this moon phase date dial features silver-colored applied indexes and manual winding indexes. Polished silver-Colored hand.
of FC-716 Movement
Power Supply Classic Moon Phase date Manufacturing is manufacturing the brand FC-Caliber 716. An automatic movement running at 28,800 vph, it is fitted with 26 jewels and has a power reserve of 72 hours. This movement is not as finely finished as the tourbillon models, but the combination of pElrage and fan-Shape Côte de Geneve When viewed through the sapphire window on the case back, the decoration paints a beautiful picture.
The watch is presented on a dark green alligator leather strap with tone-on-tone stitching and a white gold buckle. Like the Tourbillon model, the new Classic Moonphase Date Manufacture will be produced in just 36 pieces, each individually numbered and priced at 29,995 euros.
Final Thoughts on the Alpina and Frederique Constant New Releases from Geneva Watch Days
Overall, the variety of Alpina and Frederique Constant releases is impressive. Two in particular that have my eye on are the two Alpina Heritage Automatic models. Both look promising and I can’t wait to try them out. As for Frederique Constant, it’s impressive to see two special dial variations for their manufacture models. However, The Classics Carrée Small Seconds stand out for their style and excellent value for money. These watches are a testament to the wide variety that both brands can offer and are well worth celebrating.
For more information on the new Alpina releases, check out the brand’s official website. And of course, you can find out more about the other releases on the Frederique Constant website. Let us know in the comments which of these releases is your favorite!
