Where silence is broken only by the rush of wind and the hiss of skis carving fresh lines in untouched snow — that’s where Alpina was born…
On May 21, the Geneva EMBA students from the University of Geneva had the rare opportunity to feel like adventurers themselves. The spirit of alpine freedom called to us — and during our visit to the Frédérique Constant manufacture and museum, we got a glimpse of what fuels it.
They dove into the world of two remarkable Swiss watch brands: Frédérique Constant, with its mission to make luxury accessible, and Alpina, founded in 1883, known for equipping explorers with robust, reliable, sport-ready timepieces. Once two separate stories — now united under one vision, when Alpina became part of the Frédérique Constant Group and continued its journey as a bold, independent brand.
In many ways, Alpina speaks to all of us. To those whose skis do slice through alpine snow — and to those who’s only dreaming about mountains while climbing career summits. It’s a brand for people who seek adventure — in the mountains, in business, and in life.
The visit took them through the museum, into the workshops, and deeper — into the philosophy and strategy behind the brand. They had the privilege of a private session organized specially for our group by Erika and Oliver. Oliver spoke about the company’s vision, the global watch market, sales channels, brand positioning, and the challenges and opportunities ahead. They learned about sell-in vs. sell-out at Frédérique Constant, expansion strategies, and how timeless craftsmanship can meet the modern world with confidence.
This experience left them inspired — not just by the beauty of the watches, but by the clarity of the strategy and the passion behind every detail.
