Frederique Constant x The Avener: Highlife Chronograph Automatic
Geneva-based manufacturer Frederique Constant presents music producer The Avener as its new brand ambassador. The French artist’s music is characterised by innovation, creativity and modernity. Frederique Constant is also committed to these qualities. These mutual values are the basis of the partnership that is now celebrated with the release of the Highlife Chronograph Automatic. With this watch, the house is adding a chronograph to the Highlife collection for the first time. Initially, there are three versions: Two in stainless steel and one two-tone with rose gold. All of them remain true to the design language of the line and proudly bear the engraving of the earth on the dial. One of the models is limited to 1888 pieces, the other two are available without limitation.
Case
The Highlife Chronograph Automatic comes in a 41 mm x 14.22 mm case of stainless steel. In the Two-Tone version, the bezel, pushers and crown are in rose gold. However, this is gold plating and not solid metal. The typical Highlife case shape remains, however, as does the finish with alternating satin and polished surfaces. On the back, the transparent case back allows a view into the the watch. For the limited edition, the corresponding number is also engraved here.
The Dial Retains The Engraved Globe
The three new models also differ in their dials. First, the company shows a variant with a white dial and a contrasting ring in blue. Here, the three subdials also appear in the same colour. In contrast, the two-tone model has a silver dial with counters that are also silver. The front picks up on the two-tone design with gold-plated hands and appliqués. Last but not least, there is also a Highlife Chronograph Automatic with a black dial.
All variants retain the typical globe in the centre of the dial, which emphasises the cosmopolitan character of the watch. The time is indicated by two main hands together with applied indices. All of them bear luminous material, which should improve readability. There is also a small seconds hand at 9 o’clock. The totaliser at 3 o’clock counts to 30-minutes and at 6 o’clock are the hours. There is also a framed date window between 4 and 5 o’clock.
The Movement of The Highlife Chronograph Automatic
The necessary drive is provided by the new FC-391 calibre, the result of a collaboration between Frederique Constant and the La Joux-Perret manufacture. It features a modern design and a chronograph with a column wheel. The movement also offers automatic winding and a power autonomy of 60 hours. The winding rotor is of rose gold, which is typical of the manufacture. The watchmakers also decorate the movement with Geneva Stripes.
Price & Availability of the Frederique Constant Highlife Chronograph Automatic
The three new Highlife Chronograph Automatic models all come with an integrated, interchangeable metal bracelet. In addition, the company includes a matching leather strap. The blue version also comes with a third strap made of blue rubber. The latter is also a limited edition of 1888 pieces. The price for this variant is 3,295 euros – the same as for the two-tone model. The black dial with stainless steel case, on the other hand, costs 2,995 euros.
FC-391WN4NH6 (steel, silver dial)
FC-391V4NH2B (two-tone)
FC-391B4NH6B (steel, black dial)
CASE MATERIAL
Stainless steel or stainless steel with gold-plated crown and pushers
DIMENSIONS
Diameter: 41 mm
Height: 14.22 mm
WATER RESISTANCE
10 bar (~100 m)
DIAL
White with blue accents or silver or black
STRAP/BRACELET
Steel, silver
Blue calfskin strap and additional blue rubber strap and stainless steel bracelet Two-tone
Bicolour stainless steel bracelet with rose gold plating and additional brown rubber strap Steel, black
Stainless steel bracelet and additional black rubber strap
MOVEMENT
FC-391
MOVEMENT TYPE
Automatic
POWER RESERVE
60 hours
FREQUENCY
28,800 A/h (4 Hz)
FUNCTIONS
Hours, Minutes, Small Seconds, Chronograph, Date
PRICE
Steel, silver
EUR 3,295 – Limited to 1888 pieces Two-tone
EUR 3,295 Steel, black
EUR 2,995
A manufacturer of Swiss watches, leather goods and jewellery, Chopard enjoys a reputation for its elegant products. However, a certain game-changer elevated the company to new heights of watchmaking in 2016 with the introduction of Chopard's very first minute repeater. It was the crystal-clear Full Strike, marking the 20th anniversary of the manufacture. First appearing…
The Roger Dubuis brand is undergoing a transformation, with its strategy honing in on rare, high-end watches in small quantities, building the brand around the Excalibur line. Just earlier this year, as CEO Nicola Andreatta revealed to us over lunch, “[We] are in the process of reinterpreting and reworking some of the most important complications…
Audemars Piguet is presenting the Royal Oak Offshore Automatic Music Edition consisting of five new Royal Oak Offshore models dedicated entirely to the world of music. The Tapisserie dials are emblazoned with a colourful equaliser motif, and the cases also feature a number of allusions to audio technology. In addition to two titanium variants, there…
The Glashütte manufacture is presenting a new generation of the A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk. The watch with mechanical digital display was launched in 2009 and is, 13 years later, receiving its first update. The timepiece is now available in either a red gold case with a black dial or a platinum case with a…
Earlier this month, to mark the introduction of H. Moser and Cie.'s new online sales platform, the family-run Swiss watch company has presented three new models: the H. Moser and Cie. Vantablack editions. Their colour? Completely black. Unusually, the dials are coated with Vantablack, the blackest black ever produced by artificial means. In fact, Vantablack…
On the occasion of the Rado Design Week, which took place virtually in collaboration with internationally renowned architecture and design magazine Dezeen, Rado is introducing three exceptional Rado True Square Design Specials. The timepieces are the work of several renowned design teams and demonstrate unique approaches to reinterpreting the classic wristwatch. All the models are…
As early as the end of the 18th century, Breguet had laid down clear design codes, such as the famous hand-guilloching of dials in gold or silver. Among other things, the watchmaker created the eponymously named Breguet hands with their openworked "pomme" tip. Another ever-recognisable feature has to be the eccentrically arranged dial, taking inspiration…
At this year's Watches & Wonders Shanghai, Vacheron Constantin is presenting a new variation of the Overseas Automatic in pink gold with a blue dial. This combination was previously reserved for the Overseas Perpetual Calendar Extra-Flat, which was launched in Spring 2020. This sporty and elegant model pays homage to travel, and comes with three…
At the Geneva watch fair SIHH in January of this year the Italian brand Panerai presented a new ‘Submersible‘, which is dedicated to the French free-diving world champion Guillaume Néry. After breaking several personal records in 2015, Néry retired from professional diving sports and became an ambassador of the seas. To honor his achievements, the luxury…
From Claudia Schiffer to Cartier's ambassador Rami Malek, Cartier's Tank Française has long been a staple for many a fan of the Tank. Nevertheless, after peacefully existing at the company for the past 20 years, Cartier is now adding a new spin to its Tank Française. While six of the current models are quartz, Cartier…
Breguet presents the Tradition Chronographe Indépendant 7077 in a new version with a blue dial. This watch features a completely independent chronograph mechanism, a unique design with dual balance wheels, and a patented blade spring system. Let’s take a closer look at this watch and its features. Case The case of the Tradition Chronographe Indépendant…
Audemars Piguet is introducing the Royal Oak Offshore Flying Tourbillon Flyback-Chronograph into its recently updated Offshore collection. The watch combines a flyback chronograph with a flying tourbillon. Furthermore, it is a limited edition of only 100 pieces. Revised case The case of the new model is titanium, and measures 43 mm in diameter. Interestingly, to…
To mark the occasion of the 175th anniversary of A. Lange & Söhne, the company is presenting the anniversary collection "Homage to F.A. Lange", consisting of the 1815 Rattrapante Honeygold, the Tourbograph Perpetual Honeygold and the A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Thin Honeygold. The latter is a particularly thin two-hand watch, limited to 175 pieces.…