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Min. ReadFrederique Constant, a shining star among the entry and mid-level brands, introduced a new series that combines perpetual calendar and Tourbillon features to its successful Highlife model family in the sport-chic segment.
Frederique Constant, which has made a name for itself by being acquired by Citizen, one of the leading manufacturers of the Far East, as well as its models that impress with their price/performance ratio, continues to expand its product range with new models. The brand that managed to design and produce 30 different in-house movements so far, brings together its game-changer Caliber FC-975 movement equipped with perpetual calendar and tourbillon functions under the same roof in the Highlife Collection.
The movement, debuted at the 2018 Baselworld fair, was on the agenda with its in-house architecture as well as the price of the model it was powering that broke the ground in the industry. The young brand brought the same movement together with the Highlife Collection.
There are two different versions in the new model family. The first one comes with a stainless steel case, while the other version is available with an 18K rose gold case. The steel model, which is limited to 88 pieces, is accompanied by integrated metal bracelet, dark blue crocodile leather strap, and dark blue rubber strap options. The 18K rose gold model comes with a dark blue alligator strap. The metal bracelet and the straps can be easily removed and reassembled with the quick-change system.
The case, which is available in stainless steel and 18K rose gold options, is produced with a diameter of 41mm and a height of 12.65mm. The sporty case, combining matte and glossy surfaces, is equipped with scratch-resistant sapphire crystals on both sides. Water-resistant to 30 meters only, the case sports three recessed buttons on the right side and an FC signed winding crown on the left side.
Both models host dials with dark blue sub-dials on a perforated background. The dials host Super-LumiNOVA applied hour markers and hands finished according to the case material and display information for the hours, minutes, small seconds (on the tourbillon), day, date, month, and leap year information.
Let me add a small editor's note about the dial design; Although Highlife uses a design language suitable for the sports luxury watch segment of recent times, I don't find the perforated dial design matching with the general theme of the model. Yes, Highlife is a sporty model and, maybe a cream-colored Guilloché dial would have been too classic for this model. However, the largely perforated dial design might be too sporty for a pair of "old school" complications such as perpetual calendar and tourbillon. Especially if you don't have a movement that will impress with its craftsmanship and decoration.
Speaking of the movement; The new model family comes to life with the Caliber FC-975, introduced in 2018. The caliber hosts hours, minutes, small seconds, day, date, month, and leap year functions along with the tourbillon escapement and offers 38 hours of power reserve when fully wound. The self-winding movement, decorated per the price range rather than the functions it's equipped with, is visible through the perforated parts in the dial and the case back with a sapphire crystal display.
Among the versions in the model family, the stainless steel version is EUR 22,995, and the 18K pink gold version is available at EUR 39,995.
It is not an easy task to offer grand complications like tourbillon and perpetual calendar in the same movement. If you can do this despite the challenging limits of the in-house concept, it means that you have achieved a truly admirable position in traditional watchmaking and Frederique Constant Highlife Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar Manufacture is a perfect example of this. It also makes us watch lovers happy to see that these two complications, which are more like dreams even separately for most watch enthusiasts, can be offered at such a competitive price range.
