Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The Frederique Constant Highlife Perpetual Calendar Manufacture “Year of the Fiftieth”
A unique, limited edition created in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the United Arab Emirates.
On the occasion of Dubai Watch Week, running from November 24 – 28, Frederique Constant presents a rather special interpretation of the Highlife. In collaboration with watch retailers Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, the brand has created the Frederique Constant Highlife Perpetual Calendar Manufacture “Year of the Fiftieth”. This special limited edition series is dedicated to the fiftieth anniversary of the unification of seven Emirates along the Arabian Peninsula.
On 2 December 1971, seven Emirates were united under one federation to become the United Arab Emirates. Since that day, the Emirates of Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Umm al Quwain have been united as one official country. Celebrating 50 years of unification, the renowned retailers Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons have joined forces with Frederique Constant for a special limited edition based on the brand’s sporty Highlife collection.
The Highlife collection by Frederique Constant needs little introduction. It has been quite a success since its launch in 2020, and besides time-and-date models, we’ve also seen more complex watches like the Worldtimer Manufacture and the Perpetual Calendar Manufacture. Using the latter as a starting reference, FC and Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons opted to diversify it in more ways than “just” colour. It is, in fact, the first-ever watch (case and bracelet) created by Frederique Constant in lightweight titanium.
It still measures 41mm in diameter and follows the familiar shapes and finishings of the rest of the Highlife collection. The dial is done in a Pantone 321 turquoise blue, taken from run-off areas of the Yas Marina Formula 1 circuit in Abu Dhabi and resembling the unique shade of blue of the Gulf waters. For a touch of contrast, the sub-dials for the perpetual calendar display are dark grey. As always, a globe decoration adorns the middle section of the dial.
As with previous iterations of the Perpetual Calendar by FC, this in-house movement indicates central hours and minutes, date, day of the week, month, leap year and moon phase. Despite the complexity, the dial remains legible and balanced, with sword-shaped hands, applied hour indices and contrasting scales on the sub-dials.
The movement, seen through the caseback, is the FC-775 manufacture calibre. This in-house developed automatic movement consists of a base calibre with a QP module on top. The module splits the indications in central time, date, day of the week, month, leap year and a moon phase display. The movement has a frequency of 28,800vph and autonomy of 38 hours. The rotor has a special inscription commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the UAE.
The Frederique Constant Highlife Perpetual Calendar Manufacture “Year of the Fiftieth” is worn on an H-link titanium bracelet. The “H” shaped links are brushed, and the connecting links are polished. A folding clasp with the FC logo secures it to the wrist. Additionally, the watch also comes with a textured grey rubber strap, and thanks to the quick-exchange system, you can easily swap them out. It is presented as a limited edition of 50 pieces, with the retail price yet to be confirmed. It’s available for purchase at Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons.
For more information, please visit FrederiqueConstant.com or Seddiqi.com.
