Hands on Frederique Constant's Latest Addition to the Highlife Chronograph Collection

The Highlife collection, Frederique Constant’s most celebrated lines, debuted in 1999 as an affordable luxury sports watch. Relaunched in 2020, the collection gained fresh momentum, and by 2022, the brand introduced the Highlife Chronograph to its portfolio.

This year, Frederique Constant commemorates the 25th anniversary of the Highlife collection with a stunning addition to the 41mm Chronograph Automatic lineup. The latest release is a limited edition of 1,888 pieces, featuring a stainless steel case, an off white opaline dial, and striking green subdials. This model joins its predecessors versions with blue and black subdials housed in steel cases, and a more recent iteration with a blue dial and a gold-plated case.

The first thing to notice is the stainless steel case of the Highlife Chronograph Automatic is its designe with an integrated bracelet system, eliminating traditional lugs for a sleek and seamless aesthetic. The case measures 41mm in diameter and 14.22mm in height, with a lug-to-lug distance of 45.5mm. 

The finishing is meticulously executed: the top and case back feature a brushed texture, while the sides are polished. Rectangular pushers positioned at 2 and 4 o’clock control the chronograph’s start, stop, and reset functions. The watch is equipped with a convex sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating for enhanced legibility and a see-through caseback that reveals the intricate movement within. Additionally, the watch boasts a water resistance rating of 100 meters.

The opaline dial stands out with its tri-compax layout, featuring dark green subdials with a snailed finish. A date window is positioned discreetly between 4 and 5 o’clock, while the chronograph functions are displayed via a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, a 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock, and a small seconds subdial at 9 o’clock. 

Adding depth and character, the central dial is adorned with a globe-pattern embossing, surrounded by applied hour markers and hands filled with white Super-LumiNova for excellent legibility in low light. A green minutes track encircles the dial, perfectly complementing the green subdials for a cohesive and sophisticated look.

At the heart of this timepiece lies the calibre FC-391, a column-wheel chronograph movement based on the renowned Valjoux 7750. Operating at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz), it offers an impressive 60-hour power reserve. The movement is decorated with exquisite Côtes de Genève motifs on the bridges and features a gold rotor. It delivers a precision range of -5 to +10 seconds per day.

On the wrist, the Highlife Chronograph Automatic excels in comfort and style, thanks to its integrated case design. The rectangular pushers and decorated crown ensure ease of operation while enhancing the overall aesthetic. 

This limited edition comes with a dark green calf leather strap featuring a crocodile pattern and a pin buckle. Also included are a dark green rubber strap and a stainless steel bracelet. While all three options offer comfort, the stainless steel bracelet stands out for its excellent fit and ease of adjustment.

The Frederique Constant Highlife Chronograph Automatic 25th Anniversary Edition is limited to 1,888 pieces and is priced at EUR 3,495, equivalent to AED 13,720.  The watch is available at their official retailer in Dubai, Ahmed Seddiqui & Sons.

For more information please visit the official website of Frederique Constant.