The Swiss manufacturer Frederique Constant, which made one of the most successful breakthroughs of recent years, dazzles with its Highlife Perpetual Calendar equipped with a fully manufacture movement.
When we look at the Frederique Constant timepieces introduced in the last few years, one of the most significant elements we notice is the brand's evolution. Design language, technical details, engineering solutions, and what you feel when you wear the watches on your wrist. It is not possible to be indifferent to the developments felt in all these elements.
The Perpetual Calendar model we have here, from the brand's Highlife Collection, is one of the best examples of that new-generation watchmaking concept. The model comes in a 41mm diameter case made of stainless steel. The retro-inspired case, which consists of three parts (bezel, middle body, and case-back), is extremely successful in conveying the feeling of "integrity" to its user thanks to its design integrated with the strap. Protected by a convex sapphire crystal, the watch has a water resistance value of 50 meters.
The dial, located behind the sapphire crystal, hosts the most noticeable details of the model. The time and perpetual calendar functions, which are adjusted via the crown and recessed pushers positioned on the sides of the case, open the doors of a functional and visual feast. The dial displays the month and leap year at 12 o'clock, the date at 3 o'clock, the moon phase at 6 o'clock, and the day at 9 o'clock. At the center of the dial is the world motif we are familiar with from other members of the same model family. The night-time legibility of the watch is also optimized thanks to the Super-LumiNOVA applied hands and indices.
When we flip the watch, fully manufacture Caliber FC-775 welcomes us. The 26-jewels automatic Perpetual Calendar movement beats at a frequency of 4Hz (28800vph) and offers 38 hours of power reserve when fully wound. Caliber FC-775 does not have "high-watchmaking" details in decorative terms, but then Frederique Constant does not make such a claim. Instead, they aim to keep the level of accessibility high with maximum functionality and optimum craftmanship. Well, the target seems well achieved.
The watch comes with a black leather strap and a buckle made of stainless steel. There is also a black rubber strap in the boxset. Thanks to the system that allows easy strap replacement, it is easy to transform the watch into a different character. Frederique Constant Highlife Perpetual Calendar Manufacture, available with an MSRP of 8.950 CHF, takes its place as a powerful alternative for those who want to experience the Perpetual Calendar complication at a relatively accessible price.
