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News: Frederique Constant Highlife Perpetual Calendar 18K Gold

For over 30 years, Frederique Constant has developed luxury Swiss Made timepieces accessible to as many people as possible. Today, the brand presents the new Highlife Perpetual Calendar Manufacture in 18K rose gold. This very special timepiece is one for discerning collectors and will be limited to just 30 pieces. Created in 1999, the Highlife collection is making its comeback in 2020, having been entirely overhauled. Its distinctive redesigned case houses a dial decorated with a globe motif. Symbolizing the Earth, the perfection of the circle, it is also the icon of a new generation that shares the same ideal for saving the planet, sustainable and sensible living. Now available with a diameter of 41 mm, the watch also features an integrated strap. The lack of horns allows for greater flexibility and helps it sit naturally on the wrist. The design necessitates perfect continuity between the lines of the case and the strap, a smooth transition, and natural —almost imperceptible— fluidity. Additionally, a special system allows for its straps to be changed in a flash, without the need for tools.

In this utterly unique 18K rose gold rendition, the Highlife's exquisitely decorated dial is shown off to its very best advantage. Optimum legibility is ensured by the sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides. Every finishing touch is enhanced by amazing reflections, like the case, with its alternating polished and satin-finished surfaces. Every counter —month and leap year, day and date— is snailed. Index hour markers are rose gold-plated and luminescent. In keeping with the sleekness of the case design, all of the perpetual calendar’s correctors have been integrated, lending emphasis to the lone rose gold crown at 3 o’clock.

As a perpetual calendar, the new Highlife is a testament to the savoir-faire that Frederique Constant has patiently amassed over the past 30 years. The brand is one of very few to be able to design, produce, assemble and test its own timepieces internally, within its own Geneva-based manufacture.

Powered by the in-house calibre FC-775 which is an automatic movement, the 18K rose gold Highlife Perpetual Calendar beats at a frequency of 28,800 vph and has a power reserve of 38 hours. The watch is delivered on a blue nubuck finished alligator strap that is unique to this model. For collectors and connoisseurs of fine watchmaking, the movement, featuring intricate perlage and Côtes de Genève decoration, can be admired through the sapphire crystal case back.

The watch is limited to 30 pieces, water-resistant to 30 meters, and available at any of the Frederique Constant 3,000 points of sale in 120 countries across the world. The Frederique Constant Highlife Perpetual Calendar is also available in stainless steel, two-tone in steel and rose gold plated, and in steel in a Red Bar Group limited edition of 10 pieces.

Sticker Price $37,976 USD. For more info on Frederique Constant click here.