Frederique Constant expands its luxury sports watch collection Highlife by introducing the new Highlife Ladies Automatic collection. Available in stainless steel or gold-plated cases, with or without diamonds on the bezel, the 34-millimeter Highlife Ladies models feature an integrated bracelet and a proprietary interchangeable bracelet system for added versatility. The new Highlife Ladies models represent Frederique Constant's modern and sporty approach to the genre of luxury sports watches with a touch of glamour, accompanying you from day to night.
Background
While most of us associate Frederique Constant with classic, somewhat conservative watches at accessible prices, this brand is full of surprises. Who would have expected the innovative launch of the Slimline Monolithic Manufacture model with a revolutionary flexible oscillator operating at 40 Hz, released in March 2021? With steel watches priced at 4,495 euros, Frederique Constant intends to adhere to its policy of affordable luxury, even when it comes to technical breakthroughs like the Slimline Monolithic.
Another sector Frederique Constant aimed to conquer was the luxury sports watch genre. In September 2020, the Geneva-based brand presented its own take on luxury sports watches by launching the Highlife collection for men. Once the domain of such high-level brands as Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, or Vacheron Constantin, there are now far fewer players in the affordable luxury sports watch sector, and Frederique Constant aims to capture both men's and women's wrists with its attractive Highlife models.
The Highlife collection is not new to the brand's portfolio, having first appeared in 1999. Although it's hard to find much resemblance between the two models, the men's Highlife 2020 collection represents a conservative approach to luxury sports watches, with a barrel-shaped case and an integrated interchangeable strap/bracelet. The collection includes three models: an automatic COSC with 3 hands and date, a perpetual calendar (retail price under 10,000 euros!), and a Highlife Heart Beat model with an aperture on the dial below 12 o'clock showing the balance wheel. All models share a common diameter of 41 mm and are adorned with an engraved globe pattern outlined by longitude and latitude lines in the center of the dial.
Highlife Ladies Automatic Watches
The new Highlife Ladies Automatic three-hand and date models are available in stainless steel or rose gold-plated cases. They have a common diameter of 34 mm, height of 9.80 mm, water resistance of 50 m, and a transparent case back revealing the automatic caliber FC-303 with a power reserve of 38 hours. The cushion-shaped part of the case is matte and features crescent facets at both ends with a round polished bevel. The integrated bracelet with H-shaped links has matte outer links and a polished central link and is interchangeable. All Highlife Ladies models are complemented by a rubber strap.
Currently, there are four models available in this category. The simplest model (ref. FC-303LG2NH6B) is a 34-millimeter model in matte and polished steel with a sunray-finished gray dial, applied indexes, and hands with luminescent material. As with all Highlife Automatic models, the central part of the dial is adorned with a globe, and there is a date window at the “3 o'clock” position. The integrated three-link bracelet can be easily replaced with a light blue rubber strap included with the watch.
The second model (ref. FC-303BD2NH6B) has a black dial but combines applied baton-style markers at the “6, 9, and 12 o'clock” positions with eight diamond indexes and comes with an additional khaki rubber strap. The third model, known as the Highlife Ladies Automatic Sparkling (ref. FC-303NSD2NHD6B), enhances the glamour factor with a sparkling dark blue dial, eight diamond indexes, and a bezel set with 60 diamonds. The watch is a limited edition of 888 pieces, and the integrated steel bracelet can easily be replaced with a white rubber strap included in the package.
The most luxurious version is the Highlife Ladies Automatic (ref. FC-303VD2NHD4B) with a matte and polished rose gold case and bracelet. Like the Sparkling model, the bezel is decorated with 60 diamonds, and the white dial features eight diamond indexes. This model comes with an additional light pink rubber strap.
Quick Facts: Diameter 34 mm x Height 9.80 mm - Stainless steel or rose gold-plated steel, polished and matte - Water resistance 50 m - Convex sapphire crystal over the dial, transparent case back - Integrated interchangeable bracelet - Available diamond indexes and diamond-set bezel on some models - Applied luminescent indexes - Luminous hands - Date window at “3 o'clock” - Automatic caliber FC-303 - 28,800 vibrations per hour - Power reserve 38 hours - Additional rubber strap included - 1,495 euros for gray dial - 1,695 euros for black dial and diamond indexes - 3,295 euros for sparkling dial, diamond markers, and diamond bezel - 3,995 euros for rose gold-plated with diamonds on bezel and dial
Highlife Ladies Heart Beat Automatic Watches
Like the men's Highlife Heart Beat model, the women's versions also feature a round aperture at “12 o'clock” revealing the balance wheel. The model is available in a solid stainless steel case or a two-tone steel and rose gold-plated case. The diameter is 34 mm, height is 9.80 mm, water resistance is 50 m.
The steel model (ref. FC-310SD2NH6B) has a silver dial with a globe decoration and applied indexes with white luminescent coating at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock, combined with eight diamond markers. The integrated steel bracelet can be easily replaced with a light blue rubber strap included in the package.
The two-tone model (ref. FC-310VD2NH2B) combines a steel case with a bezel, crown, and central bracelet links plated in rose gold. The dial is silver with rose gold applied indexes with luminescent treatment at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock and eight diamond markers. The hands are also rose gold-plated, luminous, and polished, with an additional light pink rubber strap included.
Both Highlife Ladies Automatic Heart Beat models display hours, minutes, and seconds and are equipped with the caliber FC-310, an automatic movement with a 38-hour power reserve, visible through the transparent case back.
Quick Facts: Diameter 34 mm x Height 9.80 mm - Stainless steel or two-tone steel with rose gold plating, polished and brushed - Water resistance 50 m - Convex sapphire crystal over the dial, transparent case back - Integrated interchangeable bracelet - Applied luminous hour markers and eight diamond indexes - Luminous hour and minute hands - Caliber FC-310 - Automatic - 28,800 vibrations per hour - Power reserve 38 hours - Additional rubber strap included - 1,795 euros for the steel model - 1,995 euros for the two-tone steel model with rose gold plating