The Highlife Worldtimer Manufacture celebrates Frederique Constant’s thirty-fifth 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 splendor of this ongoing saga, the Manufacture is unveiling today two Highlife Worldtimer Manufacture watches, one in 18-carat rose gold limited edition of 35 (style not available in the US), the other in an unlimited edition in steel sporting a chocolate-colored 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 while remaining firmly attached to its Geneva roots.
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 (this style is not available in the US).
The unlimited ‘chocolate-colored’ variation
The second, unlimited reference being unveiled today comes with a stainless steel case, suitable for more contemporary, urban wear. Secondly, the prevailing color here is chocolate brown for the strap and worldtimer, coupled with a slightly lighter shade for the dial center.
For this edition, Frederique Constant has chosen a dial in chocolate brown, revealing 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, silver-colored 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.
Last but not least, this variation comes with three straps: chocolate brown alligator leather with a nubuck finish, a rubber strap of the same hue, and a polished, brushed steel 3-link strap.
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 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.
