Frederique Constant’s flagship Highlife collection is further strengthening its foundations with a range of ladies’ quartz models following on from their automatic forebears; five new pieces have been unveiled. Not only do their movements boast an impressive 5-year battery life, they are now smaller and slimmer, allowing for the advent of a diameter of just 31mm. The version is a steel and gold-plated case together with stick hour markers accompanied by diamonds set flush with the dial.
Frederique Constant’s relaunch of its Highlife collection in 2020 opened up new horological horizons for lovers of its star design, first released in 1999. The piece made a noteworthy comeback with its new case, new COSC-certified movement, new finishings and an interchangeable, integrated strap; changing the latter is easy and tool-free.
Hitherto, the collection has been available in three unisex diameters of 41mm, 39mm and 34mm, but many women have been calling for a size of their own. The challenge for Frederique Constant was not simply one of reproducing existing models in a smaller size, however: to achieve a diameter of 31mm, a whole new movement was required. The Manufacture thus decided to enlist its quartz-powered FC-240 calibre, boasting a battery life of 60 months – five whole years. As a result, the new Highlife Ladies Quartz comes in a 31-millimetre diameter and is just 7.29mm thick, as well as being water resistant to 5 ATM.
With a choice of beige, the dial sports a sunburst finish offering a beautiful interplay of light and shadow, offset by the glint of the eight diamonds set amidst the luminous hour markers and the date window at three o’clock.
As always with Frederique Constant, each of the hands is hand-polished – and to match the mood of each delighted owner of the new Highlife Ladies Quartz, the timepiece comes with a steel bracelet and deployment clasp plus a rubber strap with a pin buckle