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Timekeepers Club / February 9, 2023

Frederique Constant Highlife Worldtimer Manufacture 35th Anniversary

2023 is a very special year: it’s Frederique Constant’s thirty-fifth anniversary. After initially emerging into a familiar universe full of historic firms, this relative latecomer embarked on a trajectory that’s displayed a rare degree of constancy, winning over all kinds of people from all over the world. In a tribute to the splendour of this ongoing saga, the Manufacture is today 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.
One anniversary, two watches

Exactly 35 years ago, two bold young entrepreneurs took their first steps in watchmaking with a single aim in mind: making the fine workmanship of Swiss Made watchmakers available to the general public at a fair price. Thus was born Frederique Constant. The original Geneva-based firm has since embarked on an impressive journey, becoming a fully-fledged manufacture that’s now international whilst remaining firmly attached to its Geneva roots.

Frederique Constant Highlife Worldtimer Manufacture Ref. FC-718BL4NH9
Frederique Constant Highlife Worldtimer Manufacture Ref. FC-718C4NH6
To celebrate this outstanding odyssey, Frederique Constant is unveiling two new variations of its Highlife Worldtimer Manufacture. In just three years, the Highlife collection has earned a name for itself as Frederique Constant’s flagship collection, embodying the rise of the manufacture that first brought it into being.
A highly exclusive limited edition

The first of these Highlife Worldtimer Manufacture variations is an anniversary edition par excellence, comprising just 35 watches made with 18-carat rose gold – sure to delight collectors who now eagerly expect exceptional commemorative creations to appear from time to time in highly limited editions.

Frederique Constant Highlife Worldtimer Manufacture Ref. FC-718BL4NH9
The piece’s highly contemporary, multifaceted case shows off the shimmering gleam of precious metal to the full; the Manufacture has further enhanced the resulting interplay of light by offsetting the brushed case with a polished bezel and crown.
For this edition, Frederique Constant has chosen a dial in petroleum blue, a hue soft enough to reveal 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.
Frederique Constant Highlife Worldtimer Manufacture Ref. FC-718BL4NH9
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 watch comes on an interchangeable, integrated strap in blue alligator leather with a nubuck finish, as well as being supplied with a blue rubber strap.
The unlimited ‘chocolate-coloured’ variation

The second, unlimited reference being unveiled today 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.

Frederique Constant Highlife Worldtimer Manufacture Ref. FC-718C4NH6
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.
Frederique Constant Highlife Worldtimer Manufacture Ref. FC-718C4NH6
Circle the globe, Manufacture style

The ballet of gears of the Manufacture FC-718 automatic caliber powers this model, backed by a 38-hour power reserve. With thoroughly tried and tested reliability, it’s the epitome of simplicity to use: all indications are set using the crown, thanks to an ingenious three-notch system. The first notch isfor 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.

Frederique Constant Highlife Worldtimer Manufacture Ref. FC-718BL4NH9

Technical specifications

Frederique Constant Highlife Worldtimer Manufacture

Reference: FC-718BL4NH9

Limited edition of 35 pieces

Case

  • Material: Brushed and polished 18K rose gold 3-part case
  • Diameter: 41 mm
  • Height: 12.90 mm
  • Glass: Scratch-resistant and anti-reflective convex sapphire crystal
  • See-through case back
  • Water-resistant up to 3ATM/30m/100feet

Dial and hands

  • 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

Movement

  • FC-718 Manufacture caliber, automatic with all functions adjustable by the crown
  • Frequency: 28’800 vph (4 Hz)
  • Number of jewels: 26
  • Power reserve of 38 hours
  • Perlage & circular Côtes de Genève decorations

Functions/Indications

  • Hours, minutes, seconds, date by hand, worldtimer

Strap and buckle

  • Blue alligator leather strap with nubuck finishing
  • Including an additional blue rubber strap

MSRP: EUR 25'995

Frederique Constant Highlife Worldtimer Manufacture Ref. FC-718C4NH6

Technical specifications

Frederique Constant Highlife Worldtimer Manufacture

Reference: FC-718C4NH6

Case

  • Material: Brushed and polished stainless steel 3-part case
  • Diameter: 41 mm
  • Height: 12.90 mm
  • Glass: Scratch-resistant and anti-reflective convex sapphire crystal
  • See-through case back
  • Water-resistant up to 3ATM/30m/100feet

Dial and hands

  • 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

Movement

  • FC-718 Manufacture caliber, automatic with all functions adjustable by the crown
  • Frequency: 28’800 vph (4 Hz)
  • Number of jewels: 26
  • Power reserve of 38 hours
  • Perlage & circular Côtes de Genève decorations

Functions/Indications

  • Hours, minutes, seconds, date by hand, worldtimer

Strap and buckle

  • Brown alligator leather strap with nubuck finishing
  • Including an additional brushed and polished stainless steel 3-link bracelet

MSRP: EUR 4'295

For more information, please visit frederiqueconstant.com

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