Frederique Constant Vintage Rally Healey Automatic New Limited Edition Models

Frederique Constant welcomes two new models into its Vintage Rally Healey Automatic watch collection.

Introduced in 2004, the Vintage Rally “Healey” limited editions celebrate the partnership between the Frederique Constant Manufacture and the Austin-Healey car brand. The previous edition of the Vintage Rally Healey Automatic dates back to 2018. Now it’s back in the spotlight, thanks to two new three-hand models with date.

Putting its tradition of sporty chronographs on hold, Frederique Constant has given the Vintage Rally Healey Automatic a more urban design. Designed for the gentlemen drivers who also appreciate a getaway from the paddocks, this timepiece allows to casually enjoy a new design imbued with retro charm.

Stylish and timeless, the first model features a 40 mm rose gold-plated case that coordinates with the index hour markers and hands. For optimum legibility, they are all enhanced by a luminous treatment, ensuring the time can be made out even at night.

The flange counts down the minutes against a chocolate coloured background that matches the calfskin strap. The perforated strap recalls those of the legendary rally watches in the first half of the 20th century, and underscoring the neo-vintage quality of the piece.

The second version’s entire dial is adorned with the legendary deep, bold green colour of the Healey company. A study in contrast and a return to the roots of one of the most iconic rally car colours, “British racing green” has long been associated with the vintage Austin Healeys that are especially desirable among collectors now.

This rendering by Frederique Constant is sleek and stylish. While the last time this “British racing green” was used was on a chronograph model from 2018, the revival of this shade on a three-hand model enables the wearer to subtly show off their love of vintage cars without compromising the timeless elegance of a more urban timepiece, complete with legendary perforated brown calfskin strap.

Each of the models features an automatic FC-303 calibre with a date window at 3 o’clock and a power reserve of 38 hours.

The backgrounds of these two new models have been engraved with a Healey being driven at full throttle; the famous Healey 100S NOJ393 was purchased by a collector for £155 in 1969 and sold for nearly €1 million in December 2011.

Underneath is the individual serial number for each piece, strictly limited to 2,888 units, which comes in a collector’s gift set complete with miniature replica of the NOJ393.

Technical details

Model: Vintage Rally Healey Automatic, Reference: FC-303HVBR5B4

Functions
Hours, minutes, seconds, date

Movement
FC-303 caliber, automatic
26 jewels, 38-hour power reserve, 28’800 alt/h

Case
Rose gold plated polished stainless steel 2-parts case
Diameter of 40 mm
Convex sapphire crystal
Water-resistant up to 5 ATM

Dial
Silver color dial with brown ring
Applied rose gold plated indexes with white luminous
Date window at 3 o’clock
Hand-polished rose gold plated hours and minutes hands with luminous and pearl black seconds hand

Strap
Dark brown calf leather strap

Edition
Limited to 2’888 pieces

Retail price
1’750€

Model: Vintage Rally Healey Automatic, Reference FC-303HGRS5B6

Functions
Hours, minutes, seconds, date

Movement
FC-303 caliber, automatic
26 jewels, 38-hour power reserve, 28’800 alt/h

Case
Polished stainless steel 2-parts case
Diameter of 40 mm
Convex sapphire crystal
Water-resistant up to 5 ATM

Dial
Green dial with silver color ring
Applied silver color indexes with white luminous
Date window at 3 o’clock
Hand-polished silver color hours and minutes hands with luminous and silver color seconds hand

Strap
Light brown calf leather strap

Edition
Limited to 2’888 pieces

Retail price
1’450€