On May 16, 2017, Swiss watchmaker Frederique Constant announced the beginning of construction of an expansion to its facility, one that will nearly double its existing space. Slated to open within 18 months, CEO Peter Stas estimates that the total cost will be somewhere around 10 million Swiss francs. All three of the brands Stas founded and oversees – Frederique Constant, Alpina and Atelier de Monaco – will benefit from increased space.

“We have to look into the future, as we will need this capacity quite soon,” Stas details. “We are at about 150,000 pieces right now, and if we grow to 170,000 watches, we will hit some constraints with our current building. In the new building, we will have production capacity, better office space, space for the cafeteria and some goodies, like a small museum and a store.”

For this event, Stas had some Alpina ambassadors on hand for the festivities, including Alpine ski racer Victor Muffat-Jeandet and Ice Cross skater Tristan Dugerdil.

Stas gave a refreshingly short speech, emphasizing the key points of the construction and noting that the group’s recent acquisition of Citizen has benefitted all the brands, given Citizen’s impressive infrastructure around the world.

In today’s ever-shifting economic situation, Frederique Constant is one brand that is committed to continuing to grow its business and its capabilities.