Frederique Constant is celebrating the 70th anniversary of its long-standing automotive partner Austin-Healey with two exclusive limited editions.
For the occasion, its new mechanical chronograph, the Vintage Rally Healey Chronograph Automatic, has adopted the “British racing green” colour of the legendary vintage car with the NOJ393 number plate.
With a bicompax dial and two racing red hands, this timepiece is produced in two versions: the first, limited to 10 watches with the 70 number visible at midday, and the second, with a run of just 700 watches, with the “12” in its normal place.
Three letters, three numbers: NOJ393. This is the number plate of the famous Austin-Healey 100S, bought in 1969 by a fan of the legendary car. It was the outcome of the collaboration between the Austin Motor Company and that of the driver, Donald Healey, also a creator and designer.
A responsive and distinguished racing car, the only one of its kind, of which one of the last original cars was this famous NOJ393 purchased at that time for £155. It fetched 1 million Euros when it was sold in December 2011.
2022 marks the 70th anniversary of the creation of this legend, of which Frederique Constant has been the key partner since 2007. The occasion to offer vintage car fans a collector’s piece to wear on the wrist: the Vintage Rally Healey Chronograph Automatic.
The new Vintage Rally Healey Chronograph Automatic is offered in two versions sharing a 42 mm steel case as well as a common look. Except for one small detail, which makes all the difference: only 10 timepieces will be produced of the first model (reference FC-397HADGR5B6), and instead of the “12” index at midday, Frederique Constant has placed the “70” which celebrates the creation of the Austin-Healey company.
The second model (reference FC-397HDGR5B6), limited to 700 timepieces, prefers the watchmaking tradition in which the number12 is in its normal place and the “70th Anniversary” wording is at 6 o’clock.
The mechanical FC-397 automatic winding calibre has an oscillating rate of 28,800 beats per hour. Its offers 48 hour power reserve.
The watch boasts a British racing green dial. On the left, the seconds counter for the timing part; on the right, the chronograph’s minutes counter. The index and timer are in pure white for perfect legibility on the matt-finish dial, indispensable for a watch dedicated to motor racing. The racing spirit of the piece is emphasised by the two hands of the chronograph which stand out in a bright red hue: the central hand for the seconds and the 30 minutes countdown hand at the three o’clock position.
The hours and minutes hands, as well as the indexes are silver-tone and luminescent. Along the 12 o’clock – 6 o’clock axis the two brand logos mirror each other, a symbol of their long and faithful union: “Frederique Constant – Geneva” at midday, “Healey” at six o’clock, in its legendary original font.
The timepiece is features an open case back onto the movement, etched with a “Limited Edition XX/10” or “Limited Edition XX/700” number. The watch is worn on an asphalt black strap finished with two lines of topstitching, like two white lines marking the edges of the track.
Inspired by motor racing, the new Vintage Rally Healey Chronograph Automatic comes in its dedicated gift box alongside a miniature replica of the famous NOJ393.
