Behind the Scenes with the First Hand-Finished Frederique Constant Timepiece Ever
In fine watchmaking, there are some tales that not only captivate the imagination but also exemplify the essence of passion and dedication. And the story of Romain Valette and Roland Pel, two young watchmakers at Frederique Constant, unveils a chapter of horological history that left us utterly awestruck.
A few weeks ago, my colleague Rhonda Riche introduced you to the platinum Classic Tourbillon Meteorite Manufacture as the very first Frederique Constant model, where each of the 35 watches in this limited edition is finished by hand.
I couldn’t help but wonder how Romain Valette and Roland Pel, the two watchmakers responsible for completing this hand-finishing, could muster the professional and personal courage to propose and undertake such an intense project, even from within a prominent watchmaking group with ample resources.
I had many questions about the work: What sacrifices did such a time-intensive undertaking demand of this duo? What obstacles did they encounter? How did their approach change from the first watch to the last? But I was also keen to learn how Niels Eggerding, the CEO of Frederique Constant, reacted to their initial pitch.
That is why, today, Watchonista is proud to present you with a video about this remarkable tale featuring interviews with Romain, Roland, and Niels as they reveal the secrets behind this extraordinary accomplishment. Through candid conversations and exclusive insights, we unravel the intricacies of their creative process and the challenges they overcame.
(Video by Johan Corminboeuf)