20 years ago Frederique Constant introduced its Highlife collection. Now, the Geneva-based manufacturer is presenting three new models that build on the collection’s heritage. In addition to the Highlife Automatic COSC and the Highlife Heart Beat, the manufacture is also presenting the Highlife Perpetual Calendar Manufacture. The latter offers not only a perpetual calendar with moonphase, but also the same strap-change system as the other models in the collection.
The new Frederique Constant Highlife Perpetual Calendar Manufacture is available in three versions. In addition to a bicolour version, the company is introducing a model with a blue dial and stainless-steel bracelet, plus a version with a white dial and black leather strap. All watches have the same 41 mm polished stainless steel case. The bicolour version is also distinguished by the combination of steel with rose-gold coating on the bezel, bracelet and crown.
The guilloché globe is engraved onto the dial and is the hallmark of the revived Highlife collection. It represents the company’s values such as environmental protection and a desire for a sustainable, responsible life. The dial is protected by sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides, so that the time can always be easily read. To this end, the applied indices and the hour and minute hands have luminous material that allows the watch to be worn at night.
The perpetual calendar – one of the most prestigious complications in watchmaking – is displayed by Frederique Constant with the help of three subdials. With the day of the week at 9 o’clock, the month and leap years at 12 o’clock, and the date at 3 o’clock, these displays dominate the dial. In addition, there is a moonphase display at 6 o’clock.
All models of the new Highlife collection offer a system for quick changing between the bracelets and straps. This allows the wearer to change them swiftly and easily without tools. All that is required is to press the two pushers at the end of the bracelet and slide the bracelet out of the case. This allows the wearer to switch between leather, steel and rubber options within a matter of seconds.
The Frederique Constant Highlife Perpetual Calendar Manufacture is powered by the FC- 775 self-winding movement. This offers a power reserve of 38 hours and beats at a frequency of 4 Hz. What makes it stand out is that the Geneva-based manufacture has developed and produced this watch in-house. This is also where the name “Manufacture” comes from. The movement is decorated with perlage as well as Geneva stripes, and can be viewed through the sapphire glass back.
The Frederique Constant Highlife Perpetual Calendar Manufacture is water-resistant to 50 m. An additional rubber strap is included in the delivery. In addition, a set consisting of a brown, a blue and a black bracelet made of Crococalf suede can be purchased. The price for the blue version with stainless-steel bracelet is 8,595 euros. The model with white dial and black leather strap costs 8,495 euros and the bi-colour model costs 8,795 euros.
FEATURES
| BRAND: | Frederique Constant |
| MODEL: | Highlife Perpetual Calendar Manufacture |
| REFERENCE: | Steel bracelet, blue dial: FC-775N4NH6B Black leather strap, white dial: FC-775S4NH6 Bicolor: FC-775V4NH2B |
| CASE MATERIAL: | Polished stainless steel or Polished steel with rose-gold plating |
| DIMENSIONS: | Diameter: 41 mm |
| WATER RESISTANCE: | 5 bar (~ 50 m) |
| DIAL: | Navy blue, silver or black |
| STRAP/BRACELET: | Steel or leather, plus rubber strap included |
| MOVEMENT: | FC-775 |
| MOVEMENT TYPE: | Automatic |
| POWER RESERVE: | 38 hours |
| FREQUENCY: | 28,800 vph (4 Hz) |
| FUNCTIONS: | Hours, minutes, perpetual calendar (date, day, month, leap year), moonphase |
| PRICE: | Steel bracelet, blue dial: EUR 8,595 Black leather, white dial: EUR 8,495 Bicolor: EUR 8,795 |