For over 15 years, Frederique Constant has been associated with the world of vintage sports cars and historic rallies. The limited edition Vintage Rally collection pays tribute to one of the most iconic British sports cars - the Austin-Healey. Since 2004, Frederique Constant and the automotive brand Austin-Healey have been partners, leading to one of the most enduring associations in the industry. A new year means a new collection, and in 2021 Frederique Constant releases the Vintage Rally Healey series. Following last year's models with central seconds hands, new Vintage Rally Healey Automatic Small Seconds models are introduced.
HEALEY 100S NOJ 393
Like last year's models, the new 2021 series pays homage to one of the most important Healey cars. Ten years ago, the NOJ 393 ex-Works 1953-55 Austin-Healey Special Test Car/100S set a world record. Not a speed record, but an auction price record for an Austin-Healey, when Bonhams sold it for £843,000 (almost $1 million USD). Untouched since the 1960s, according to Bonhams' press release, the car was in a "barn find" condition. Classic car enthusiasts will be familiar with the story of NOJ 393. As one of the Austin-Healey test cars, NOJ 393 participated in the 1953 "24 Hours of Le Mans" and then became a prototype 100S that raced at Sebring, the Carrera Panamericana, and Nassau.
After this race, the 100S NOJ 393 was restored at the factory and participated in several races in 1956. Over the next 42 years, it disappeared, only to be fully restored and sold by Bonhams.
Vintage Rally Healey Automatic Small Seconds
Last year's Vintage Rally Healey models featured centrally located seconds. In the new collection, Frederique Constant updated the indication and now offers three models with a new small seconds indication combined with a date at the "3 o'clock" position.
The case is identical to previous models. With a diameter of 40 mm at a reasonable height of 11.5 mm (including glass), these Vintage Rally Healey Automatic Small Seconds have a simple and elegant form. A watch dedicated to a vintage British car is unlikely to have a bold, ultra-sporty appearance. The two-part case is made of stainless steel and fully polished. Of the three available versions, two have a classic steel case, and one is rose gold-plated, as is often the case with Frederique Constant - to add a touch of luxury without the price of solid gold. The screw-down case back hides the movement, but this is a positive aspect because it is engraved with the retro car Healey NOJ 393.
The dial, or rather, the display, has become the main element of evolution in the Frederique Constant Vintage Rally Healey 2021 watches. Replacing the central seconds hand with a small seconds indication located at the "9 o'clock" position makes these watches more lively. This imparts a certain retro charm that perfectly matches the overall theme. Otherwise, the watches are identical in terms of the shape of the hands, the presence of a white seconds track on the periphery, and the beautiful set of applied markers combining pointed batons and Arabic numerals at 12 and 6 o'clock.
The Frederique Constant Vintage Rally Healey Automatic Small Seconds watches will be available in three different editions. The first is classic, more British, with a green dial; the second is modern, more restrained, with neutral colors; the third is more luxurious.
- FC-345HGRS5B6 - stainless steel case, dark green matte dial, silver-colored hands and applied indices, brown leather strap
- FC-345HGS5B6 - stainless steel case, medium gray matte dial, silver-colored hands and applied indices, gray leather strap
- FC-345HNS5B4 - stainless steel case with rose gold plating, dark blue matte dial, gold-plated hands and applied indices, blue leather strap
All models in the Vintage Rally Healey Automatic Small Seconds collection are equipped with the same movement, the FC-345 caliber. Behind this name hides a modified Sellita SW 200-1, where the central seconds hand is replaced by a small seconds hand. The caliber, operating at a frequency of 4 Hz and providing a 38-hour power reserve, is a reliable, easy-to-maintain, and affordable choice.
As for the straps, Frederique Constant opts for beautifully crafted and adequately styled perforated "rally" calf leather straps. All feature contrasting white stitching and close with a steel pin buckle.
Availability and Price
Each model of the Frederique Constant Vintage Rally Healey Automatic Small Seconds 2021 collection will be released in a limited edition of 888 pieces. They are now available for purchase in the FC online boutique or through authorized retailers. The steel models retail at 1,595 euros. The rose gold-plated model retails at 1,895 euros.
For more information and to order, visit frederiqueconstant.com.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS – FREDERIQUE CONSTANT VINTAGE RALLY HEALEY AUTOMATIC SMALL SECONDS
Case: 40 mm diameter x 11.5 mm height – two-part stainless steel case – polished or polished rose gold – convex sapphire crystal – screw-down case back with engraving of vintage Healey NOJ 393 car – water resistance 50 m
Dial: matte dial with white inner seconds ring – applied indices and hands with luminescent paint, all with rose gold or silver color. Dial can be dark blue (rose gold coating), gray, or British racing green (steel)
Movement: caliber FC-345 (base Sellita SW-200, modified with small seconds) – automatic – 31 jewels – 25.60 mm – 28,800 vibrations/hour – 38-hour power reserve – hours, minutes, small seconds, date
Strap: perforated "rally" calf leather strap with white stitching – available in blue, gray, or brown – closes with a steel pin buckle
Reference: FC-345HGRS5B6 – steel green dial, FC-345HGS5B6 – steel gray dial, FC-345HNS5B4 – blue dial with gold plating
Availability: each version limited to 888 pieces and presented in a collectible gift set, complemented by a miniature copy of the NOJ393 car
Price: 1,595 euros steel, 1,895 euros with gold plating
