ReviewChronograph: The Most Recent Complication In Frederique Constant’s Highlife Series

Luxury watchmaker Frederique Constant is internationally recognised for manufacturing high-end watches with interesting complications at a reasonable price. From the initial design to finalising the inside mechanism, this Swiss brand is deeply involved in every step of production concerning their timepieces. It launched various collections over the years, the most iconic offering is the Highlife series—an effortlessly luxurious collection that makes a mark within the ambit of lifestyle-sport watches. In the spirit of carrying forward the Frederique Constant tradition of great timekeeping, the series has announced its latest complication in the form of the automatic chronograph titled Highlife Chronograph Automatic.

By introducing the Highlife Chronograph Automatic, Frederique Constant’s Highlife collection makes a striking statement by unveiling models that are urban, stylish and sporty. With this launch, the Swiss brand introduced not just one, but three Highlife Chronograph Automatic wristwatches with interchangeable straps and bracelets.

The Highlife Collection: Timeline

The Highlife collection was launched in 1999, and reintroduced in 2020, with new, integrated streamlined case designs, contemporary upgrades, and dependable movements revitalise the collection. This involved the launch of three models—Highlife Automatic COSC, Highlife Heart Beat, and Highlife Perpetual Calendar Manufacture—to enhance the concept of these high-end sport watches. These models left a major impact on the Frederique Constant watchmaking legacy. Now, the collection has added a new dimension to its oeuvre by launching the prominent watchmaking complication of automatic chronograph, titled the Highlife Chronograph.

This ground-breaking Highlife collection includes the chronograph, a prominent watchmaking complication

Frederique Constant Highlife

₹3,41,500

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Highlife Chronograph Tradition

The chronograph was first developed for industries such as horse racing and aviation that demand extreme precision. It’s capability as a time recorder began to emerge with time, and it came to be used in Olympic sports, motor-racing, and naval navigation. Following this development, the watch industry started to construct a variety of chronographs, including waterproof models for deep-sea diving and water sports. With that, the purpose of a chronograph in a sports watch became clear. Now with the incorporation of a chronograph, the Highlife series has all the components necessary for an ideal athletic watch.

The highlight of the timepiece, like the rest of Frederique Constant’s offerings, is the movement within. The three new Chronograph Automatics incorporate the L100 from La-Joux Perret—one of the most cost-effective integrated automatic chronograph movements currently in the market. The push buttons visible at two and four o’clock are in charge of the chronograph’s start, stop and zero reset.

A Blend of Simple And Complex

All three new models sport identical 41mm stainless steel cases with integrated bracelets. One of the collection’s highlights is the convertible bracelet system that enables the wearer to switch between the rubber strap and metal bracelet. Each watch comes with an additional steel or rubber strap that complements the sophisticated dial. Each dial is engraved with longitude and latitude lines forming a globe—a design element that has come to be associated with the Highlife collection. There are three sub dials arranged in the following order: small seconds at nine; a 30-minute counter at three o’clock; and a 12-hour counter at six. The date window is in the same colour as the dial, and nestled between the markers at four and five o’clock.

Each dial is engraved with longitude and latitude lines forming a globe—a design element that has come to be associated with the Highlife collection.

The case has a sapphire crystal back, which exhibits the FC-391 automatic movement and its chronograph module, particularly its column wheel

Additionally, Frederique Constant has created an oscillating weight for all three models that are adorned with côtes de Genève pink gold gilt. Beating at a frequency of 28,800vph, the movement assures a 60-hour power reserve. The case has a sapphire crystal back, which exhibits the FC-391 automatic movement, and its chronograph module, particularly its column wheel that watch aficionados will easily identify. Engraved around the exhibition case back are the words ‘Highlife Chronograph’ and its water resistance capabilities upto 100m.

Three Chronograph Versions

The Highlife Chronograph Automatic is available in three different variants. The first model features a panda-style dial in white and blue, and comes in a steel case. Limited to 1,888 pieces, it is equipped with two additional straps, and allows the wearer to switch between a navy-blue rubber strap, a navy-blue calf-skin strap or a three-link steel bracelet.

The second model is a two-tone variant with a dial in steel and rose gold-plated elements. The pink gold accents on the silver dial is teamed with a brown rubber strap for a subtle, yet sporty feel.

All the Highlife Chronograph Automatic models offer a distinctive appeal. The model featured here uses contrasts to its advantage—a black dial paired with contrasting steel case, steel hands and indexes

The third model uses contrasts to its advantage—a black dial paired with contrasting steel case, steel hands and indexes, attached to a black rubber strap. All three models have a distinctive character, making the watch’s appeal more versatile.

Inspired By The Avener

With the launch of the Highlife Chronograph Automatic collection, Frederique Constant also announced its collaboration with French music producer ‘The Avener’ as their new brand ambassador.

With the launch of the Highlife Chronograph Automatic collection, Frederique Constant also announced its collaboration with French music producer ‘The Avener’ as their new brand ambassador

The French DJ produces music that is characterised by innovation, creativity and modernity—the very qualities Frederique Constant is committed to.

The French DJ produces music that is characterised by innovation, creativity and modernity—the very qualities Frederique Constant is committed to. These shared ideals form the basis for their collaboration, which was marked with the release of these new chronograph models.