Frederique Constant makes classic Swiss watches at prices well below most brands that build their own movements. The range has three parts that buyers often mix up: the Classics, the Highlife and the Manufacture models. This guide separates them.
Accessible luxury from Geneva
Frederique Constant was founded in Geneva in 1988 by Peter and Aletta Stas. Its aim was accessible luxury: classic Swiss watches, including in-house movements, at prices well below most manufactures.
The brand is known for its Heart Beat models, with an opening on the dial that shows the balance wheel, and for in-house complications such as moon phases.
The three parts of the range
| Classics | Highlife | Manufacture | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Traditional dress watches | Integrated-bracelet sports watch | Watches with the brand's own movements |
| Movement in our stock | Quartz, automatic and some solar | Mostly automatic | Automatic |
| Sizes in our stock | From 30 mm to about 42 mm | 31, 39 and 41 mm | 39 to 42 mm |
| Water resistance in our stock | 30 or 50 m | 100 m on most | 50 m on most |
Figures are those of the watches listed with us; always confirm them on the listing.
What "Manufacture" means on the dial
On a Frederique Constant, the word Manufacture on the dial means the movement was developed and made in-house. It explains much of the price difference between two watches that look alike.
Quartz or automatic
The Classics line includes both quartz and automatic watches, and they can look almost identical. A quartz watch runs on a battery and needs no winding; an automatic winds itself on the wrist. The Movement row in the specifications tells you which one you are looking at.
Which one should you buy?
- Classics if you want a traditional dress watch and are open to quartz.
- Highlife if you want one watch on a bracelet for every day, with more water resistance.
- Manufacture if the in-house movement matters to you.
If you are unsure about size, read our guide to choosing your watch size.
Every watch we sell is checked by our specialist before it ships. We are an independent retailer, not an authorized dealer of the brand; the listing says what comes with each watch.
Shop the Classics, the Highlife, the Manufacture models, or all Frederique Constant watches.
Frequently asked questions
What does Manufacture mean on a Frederique Constant?
It means the watch has an in-house movement, developed and made by the brand.
What is a Heart Beat watch?
A Frederique Constant with an opening in the dial that shows the balance wheel moving.
Are Frederique Constant watches automatic or quartz?
Both exist, sometimes in very similar designs. The Movement row in the specifications of each listing says which.
Is the Highlife a sports watch?
Yes. It is the brand's integrated-bracelet sports watch, and most versions listed with us are water resistant to 100 meters.
