Introducing – Frederique Constant Vintage Rally Limited Edition Austin Healey – Specs & Price

For most of you, Frederique Constant must be a brand with classical watches, yet elegant and discreet, with an “affordable luxury” spirit. This is true. The manufacture however also has some sportier watches in the catalogue, and a new one is about to join them. Of course, in the traditional style of the brand, this watch remains restrained and sophisticated, far from being a tool – but still affordable. Here is the Frederique Constant Vintage Rally Limited Edition Austin Healey, inspired by some iconic 1960s classic cars – a spirit of course shared by the watch.

Classic cars and mechanical watches have always made the perfect match. Both mechanical, both creating passions, both being an important piece of men’s accessory, the link between these two worlds is easy – and of course enjoyable. This is one of the reasons Frederique Constant began a longstanding partnership with the Healey car brand, 12 years ago. Many watches have been created since then, including the Vintage Rally Healey Chronograph Automatic. A new one is about to join the collection, a simpler and more elegant watch, the Frederique Constant Vintage Rally Limited Edition Austin Healey.

Inspired by the classic and sports cars by Austin Healey, these news models are presented in a 40mm polished 3-part case, either in stainless steel or in rose gold plated steel. The overall look remains discreet and easily wearable, something that perfectly matches the idea behind the partnership. Healey is iconic and an evocation of style; the watches must be on the same level. The Frederique Constant Vintage Rally Limited Edition Austin Healey watches are secured to the wrist with a dark grey leather strap, finished with either white or red stitches that give a sporting allure to the watches.

Each of the three versions, feature a colour ring on the dial – a subtle wink to a car’s steering wheel. These dials features beautifully crafted applied indexes, including batons and large (luminous) Arabic numerals at 12 – 6 -9. The hands are also elegantly shaped and bold enough to give these watches a great personality. 4 editions exist:

• Gold plated with dark grey dial, burgundy minute track
• Stainless steel with silver dial, dark grey minute track
• Gold plated with silver dial, dark grey minute track
• Stainless steel with silver dial, burgundy minute track

Inside the case ticks a robust Sellita-based automatic movement, beating at 4Hz and offering 38 hours of power reserve. It displays the hours, minutes and seconds, as well as a date in a window at 3. The movement of the Frederique Constant Vintage Rally Limited Edition Austin Healey won’t be visible but instead, the case back is engraved with a Healey car and the individual number of the watch. Limited to 2,888 numbered pieces, every timepiece comes with a beautifully designed gift box and a magnificent Healey NOJ393 car miniature model. Price: 1,395 Euros. More details on frederiqueconstant.com.

Specifications of the Frederique Constant Vintage Rally Limited Edition Austin Healey

• Case: 40mm – polished stainless steel or rose gold plated stainless steel – sapphire crystal on front – 50m water resistant
• Movement: calibre FC-303, Sellita-based – automatic – 38h power reserve – 28,800 vibrations/h – hours, minutes, seconds and date
• Strap: dark grey calfskin leather strap