First Look: The New Frederique Constant Highlife Moonphase Date Manufacture (Incl. Video) - Monochrome Watches
Housed in a more compact 39mm case (compared to 41mm for most Highlife models), the case has a thickness of 12.79mm and comes with the same integrated Jubilee-style steel bracelet. Moon phase and date combinations have been in Frederique Constant’s portfolio since the beginning. Instead, it will be available in two colours: an attractive rosé champagne dial or a more classic blue dial, both with a sunray finish radiating from the moon phase counter at 6 o’clock.
Founded in 1988, Frederique Constant can now boast an impressive lineup of 35 in-house calibres powering the brand’s top-tier Manufacture pieces. Redesigned and relaunched in 2020, the Highlife collection is Frederique Constant’s vision of a versatile luxury sports watch with a barrel-shaped case, an interchangeable integrated bracelet and a textured dial. Last year, the brand teamed up with Time+Tide for the Highlife Moonphase Manufacture with a sleek black onyx dial, a teaser of the two new standard production models released during Geneva Watch Days. The new Highlife models are presented in compact 39mm cases with attractive blue or rosé champagne dials and retail for under EUR 5,000.
Following the other complications in the Highlife family fitted with in-house movements – worldtimer and perpetual calendar with or without tourbillon – Frederique Constant turns its gaze to a dual-complication combination featuring a moon phase and date.
In true Highlife style, the tonneau-shaped stainless steel case has scalloped or half-moon facets at either end with sporty satin-brushed finishes and polished accents on the bezel, crown and case flanks. Water-resistant to 100 metres, the case has a domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides over the dial and a see-through caseback.
However, there are a couple of features that set it apart, first seen on the collaboration watch. Housed in a more compact 39mm case (compared to 41mm for most Highlife models), the case has a thickness of 12.79mm and comes with the same integrated Jubilee-style steel bracelet. Adding versatility to the equation, the watch features the brand’s tool-free quick-release system, integrated under the lugs, and comes with two interchangeable options. For a sportier, more dynamic look, you can attach the five-link steel bracelet; for a more elegant, dressier vibe, pair the watch with the blue Saffiano calfskin leather strap.
Moon phase and date combinations have been in Frederique Constant’s portfolio since the beginning. Evolving mechanically from outsourced to in-house movements, the combination has appeared in different formats and different families over the years, including the Slimline and the Classic – refreshed in 2024 with this model. Sharing the same movement and display as the Classic, the Highlife unites the two complications in a single sub-dial at 6 o’clock. The date is indicated by a small hand pointing to a scale of 1-31, and the phases of the moon appear inside the crescent-shaped counter, with a realistic moon and a dark blue, star-studded sky.
In yet another departure from other Highlife models, the dial does not feature the laser-engraved globe motif. Instead, it will be available in two colours: an attractive rosé champagne dial or a more classic blue dial, both with a sunray finish radiating from the moon phase counter at 6 o’clock. The golden, coppery tones of the rosé champagne dial create a pleasant contrast with the dark blue background of the moon phase aperture. The blue dial adopts a more monochromatic look with its blue-on-blue colour scheme. The applied baton indices are mirror-polished and filled with Super-LumiNova, matching the hour and minute hands. The date function is arranged on the snailed periphery of the moon phase aperture with white numerals and a red ‘31’.
The new Highlife watches are powered by the in-house calibre FC-716, a relatively new automatic movement with a larger barrel for an increased power reserve of 3 days (72 hours). To accommodate the larger barrel, the redesigned bridges are decorated with fan-shaped Côtes de Genève, visible through the openworked rotor.
True to its philosophy of delivering high-quality watches at an affordable price, the Highlife Moonphase Date Manufacture retails for CHF 4,495. More information at frederiqueconstant.com.