Frederique Constant has kick-started its thirty-fifth anniversary celebrations by unveiling two Highlife Worldtimer Manufacture watches, one in 18-carat rose gold in a limited edition of 35, the other in an unlimited edition in steel sporting a chocolate-coloured dial.
Both variations feature a diameter of 41mm and will come with either one or two additional, interchangeable straps.
18 Rose Gold Version
The first of these Frederique Constant Highlife Worldtimer Manufacture variations is an anniversary edition par excellence, comprising just 35 watches made with 18-carat rose gold.
The piece’s highly contemporary, multifaceted case in rose gold boasts a brushed finish, beautifully offsetting the gleaming polished surfaces of the bezel and crown.
The petroleum blue dial elegantly reveals the shades engraved on its surface: the Earth symbol, complete with lines of latitude and longitude, and a sunray finish at 6 o’clock on the date disc. The dial features luminous, gold-coloured appliqué hour markers matching the three central hands indicating hours, minutes and seconds.
The hands are carefully proportioned to give pride of place to the Worldtimer’s double disc; the external disc is marked with 24 cities denoting 24 time bands, while the second, internal disc displays the time in each reference city. Blue and white backgrounds allow the wearer to distinguish effortlessly between night and day.
To round off the monochrome effect, the limited edition Highlife Worldtimer Manufacture watch (reference FC-718BL4NH9) comes on an interchangeable, integrated strap in blue alligator leather with a nubuck finish, as well as being supplied with a blue rubber strap.
Stainless Steel Version
The second, unlimited model (reference FC-718C4NH6) sports the same features, with just three main exceptions. Firstly, the case is steel, suitable for more contemporary, urban wear.
Secondly, the prevailing colour here is chocolate brown for the strap and worldtimer, coupled with a slightly lighter shade for the dial centre.
Lastly, this variation comes with three straps rather than two: chocolate brown alligator leather with a nubuck finish, a rubber strap of the same hue, and a polished, brushed steel 3-link strap.
Movement
The Manufacture FC-718 automatic caliber beating inside the Frederique Constant Highlife Worldtimer watch provides a power reserve of 38 hours.
All indications are set using the crown, thanks to an ingenious three-notch system. The first notch is for winding the watch. The second sets the date (going upwards) and the reference city (going downwards). The third sets the time on the central display.
Technical details
Model: Frederique Constant Highlife Worldtimer Manufacture 18K Rose Gold Limited Edition, Reference FC-718BL4NH9
Movement
FC-718 Manufacture caliber, automatic with all functions adjustable by the crown
Perlage & circular Côtes de Genève decorations
38-hour power reserve, 28’800 alt/h, 26 jewels
Functions
Hours, minutes, seconds, date by hand, worldtimer
Case
Brushed and polished 18K rose gold 3-part case
Diameter: 41 mm
Height: 12.90 mm
Scratch-resistant and anti-reflective convex sapphire crystal
See-through case back
Water-resistant up to 3ATM/30m/100feet
Dial
Blue dial with sunray finishing and globe pattern embossed in the center
Rose gold plated applied indexes with white luminous treatment
24H disc with day (white) & night (blue) indication
Blue city disc with 24 cities
Hand-polished rose gold plated hour and minute hands filled with white luminous treatment
Hand-polished rose gold plated second hand
Date counter at 6 o’clock with hand-polished rose gold plated hand
Strap
Blue alligator leather strap with nubuck finishing
Including an additional blue rubber strap
Edition
Limited to 35 pieces
Recommended retail price
25’995€
Model: Frederique Constant Highlife Worldtimer Manufacture in Stainless Steel, Reference FC-718C4NH6
Movement
FC-718 Manufacture caliber, automatic with all functions adjustable by the crown
Perlage & circular Côtes de Genève decorations
38-hour power reserve, 28’800 alt/h, 26 jewels
Functions
Hours, minutes, seconds, date by hand, worldtimer
Case
Brushed and polished stainless steel 3-part case
Diameter: 41 mm
Height: 12.90 mm
Scratch-resistant and anti-reflective convex sapphire crystal
See-through case back
Water-resistant up to 10ATM/100m/330feet
Dial
Brown dial with matt finishing and globe pattern embossed in the center
Silver color applied indexes with white luminous treatment
24H disc with day (light brown) & night (dark brown) indication
Brown city disc with 24 cities
Hand-polished silver color hour and minute hands filled with white luminous treatment
Hand-polished silver color second hand
Date counter at 6 o’clock with hand-polished silver color hand
Strap
Brown alligator leather strap with nubuck finishing
Including an additional brushed and polished stainless steel 3-link bracelet
Including an additional brown rubber strap
Recommended retail price
4’295€
