New Model: Frederique Constant Highlife Perpetual Calendar

Do we really need another stainless steel non-round sports watch with a blue dial and integrated bracelet? Frederique Constant seems to think so. Even though there are literally more of these than memes on social media. Is creativity a dying talent in the watch industry, or are the watch buying public to blame? Because the market gets what the market wants, right? 

It is also becoming increasingly difficult to differentiate one blue dial steel sports watch from another, as there are really only so many ways this can be done. One way is to add complications, ideally one that isn't widespread and price it reasonably to "disrupt" the market, to borrow an overused marketing term. Disruption is something Frederique Constant does really well, offering in-house movements and aesthetically pleasing watches for less than what some bigger brands were charging for outsourced movements and plagiarised styling. And yet, they struggle to gain traction, especially with the "collector" and "aficionado" lot. Because although they might think themselves experts, all they really are, for the want of a better term, are hypebeasts. 

Frederique Constant released their in-house perpetual calendar previously in a classic dress watch style back in 2016, and given the specs, was extremely reasonable at less than US$9000. No, you won't find high watchmaking style decorations, and with 38 hours of power reserve, it is now a little lacking. However if you plan on wearing your watch, it's not an issue. This is the movement (FC-755) found in the latest steel sports watch offering - the Highlife. There are 3 different models on offer to start with; the 3-hander with date and the open heart, both powered by Sellita and finally, the Perpetual Calendar, which is the focus of this post.

What is really amazing is that FC manages to cram all these complications in to a relatively snug packaging, measuring a relatively svelte 41mm in diametre and just 12.65mm thick. And this is achieved with a full rotor, albeit you'll have to go without a running seconds hand. These come with a quick change bracelet/strap system, and a spare strap is delivered with each watch. The overall layout is reminiscent of the Vacheron Overseas Perpetual Calendar but that's only in gold for the moment and it's 10 times the price! The case reminds me of the Omega Constellation, and the bracelet? take your pick. It's not an original design by any stretch. (the first Highlife was more original) but given this sort of style is very much in vogue right now, elegantly styled and likely won't date too quickly, this is a value-for-money proposition that shouldn't be ignored. 

The blue dial on bracelet is available in Australia for RRP$13,917