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Video Review

Frédérique Constant Shows That a Luxury Sports QP Can Be Cool AND Accessible, with Its Highlife Perpetual Calendar

No need to spend a 6-digit amount to enjoy an integrated bracelet and a QP.

calendar | ic_dehaze_black_24px By Brice Goulard | ic_query_builder_black_24px 2 min read |

No doubt, the concept of a perpetual calendar luxury sports watch is highly desirable, as combining the visual appeal of a sporty-chic watch with an integrated bracelet and one of the most attractive complications, the QP. But what options do you have? The Nautilus Perpetual Calendar 5740G, the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar or the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Ultra-Thin Perpetual Calendar are all well above 80k euros. Even the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Perpetual Calendar will set you back over 30k euros. Serious watchmaking requires serious money… Does it, really? Frédérique Constant has a different opinion on that specific question. Its answer is named the Highlife Perpetual Calendar and it shows that a luxury sports QP isn’t only for the happy few. 

As we’ve said already in our written review of the Highlife Perpetual Calendar and fully explained in the video on top of this article, this watch is one of the most accessible QPs on the market, with a retail price far below 10K euros. How is that possible, when high-end brands ask for 30k euros – or even over 100k euros in some cases. Has the brand done some concessions…? Of course, in some areas, the Highlife Perpetual Calendar can’t compete with a Nautilus or a Royal Oak. It isn’t its vocation anyway. Finishing, materials and refinement aren’t on the same level, but are still very satisfying. However, mechanically-speaking, the Highlife does everything you’d expect from a perpetual calendar. And that’s what really matters here. This means that, as long as you’ll keep the watch running, it won’t need a single calendar correction before 2100, like a proper perpetual should.

Frederique Constant Highlife Perpetual Calendar Manufacture

There are areas where the brand didn’t make concessions, with some features that are usually found in much pricier timepieces. For instance, the watch is equipped with an interchangeability system, allowing to remove the steel bracelet in seconds, and to replace it with the included rubber strap – and even leather options are available, for even more personalities.

So yes, the Highlife Perpetual Calendar doesn’t have the same exclusivity as aforementioned watches, but it has the style and coolness of a luxury sports watch, the mechanical refinement of a perpetual calendar and even its own character, with a distinctive look… and all of that for EUR 8,595. We tell you all you need to know in the video, and how FC has managed to bring such a horological content at this price level.

Frederique Constant Highlife Perpetual Calendar Manufacture

More details about the Highlife Perpetual Calendar at frederiqueconstant.com.

https://mowa.dev/frederique-constant-highlife-perpetual-calendar-manufacture-video-review/

4 responses

  1. Like I said previously ,the strap is sooooooo much better looking than the bracelet,it just looks like it will look like a fantastic watch 50 years from now as much as now. I hope they still make replacement straps at that time ! lol (I know I just made an argument for the bracelet but still,no.).

  2. A lot of watch for the money, just shows that Rolex prices have little to do with the engineering. Without the moon phase it would be a nice watch. A nylon and/or canvas strap would be a nice addition.

  3. I think You should take a Moser Pioneer Perpetual MD into consideration…

  4. (+) This watch looks beautiful and the suggested price for a COSC certified a perpetual calendar is very interesting, there is not doubt.

    (-) On the other hand, the links of the bracelet look really similar to the PP Nautilus, the idea of the interchangeable makes me think of VC and the case looks like a redesigned version of the Overseas. Although the result is esthetically pleasant, the idea of such a big … influence by other brands designs is annoying me…

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