We spent an afternoon on the shore of the Hudson River, NYC exploring the new Frédérique Constant and Alpina collections, as well as took a trip on a Destino runabout. Read all about it!
In the watchmaking world, Frédérique Constant is a young brand. Rounding out a resurgence in the 80’s of historical watchmakers, Frédérique Constant has been crafting and innovating timepieces in a way older houses can’t claim: born in modernity. Rather than relying on ancient and fallible technique, Alpina and Frederique focus on technologic groundbreaking while maintaining designs that are elegant and tasteful. It’s a unique position that enables the brands to cater to a crowd that seeks classic style with up to date mechanics. At a private viewing opportunity at Brookfield Place in Manhattan, we had a some time to seriously examine the collections, up close and personal. These Swiss made time pieces often thoroughly consider their heritage in design, particularly striking was a modern take on a 1950’s timepiece with enlarged numerals and dials, but a classic raised window and simple bezel. It’s this cautious approach that has earned Alpina and Frédérique Constant a good deal of critical acclaim.
The most incredible addition to the line up is stunningly mindful of the current taste: smart watches. However, these smart watches conceived by Alpina and Frédérique Constant are unlike any other produced yet as the project was approached from the ground up, completely reimagining the concept of smart watch, from both a visual standpoint and a technological one.
Next to an Apple Watch or Fitbit, the Alpina smart watch, rather “Horological Smartwatch” looks classic Alpina. No LED screens, no intense band, no touching. It looks like a masterpiece of classic watchmaking design. However, under the hood, the complication is powered by a Quartz movement, granting it battery power. Unlike Fitbit or Apple Watch, one doesn’t need to charge the watch nightly. This positions the Alpina and Frédérique Constant variations in an exciting and innovative lead. The innovation does not stop there. Developed intimately mindful of both the timepiece and the lifestyle of the wearer, iOS apps have been customer designed for use with the timepiece. Frédérique Constant has developed an entire entity around the watch tech, unleashing great potential across then entire sector.
In addition to exploring the Frédérique Constant and Alpina selections, we had the pleasure of touring the Hudson river and the New York harbor on a brand new, hand constructed Destino runabout, a tidy little 20-footer of clear-coated mahogany. A simple bench seat and two swivel seats of Danish design took the space of the cabin, an open-air aerie designed to at speed pleasant and fun. The mid engine construction allows the small boat to stabilized well and maintain its own while cutting through even the most choppiest of waves. The low center of gravity and the engine’s low, confident growl (from a Volvo Penta) make for an absolutely cherished ride. Starting at $200,000 with bespoke fittings. www.destinoyachts.com
