👉🏼 🕒 NWA : Frederique Constant Highlife 🕘 👈🏼
I picked up a Frederique Constant Highlife this morning and thought I'd give you all my hot-take.
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I bought a PRX when they were released and was surprised by how much I wore it and how much I liked it. A few years down the track I'm done with PRX mania but am sold on integrated bracelets, so I decided to upgrade.
I wanted something that was less common, a step up in quality and less derivative in design
After some initial scouting I'd narrowed it down to the Zenith Defy, the Tudor Royal Date-Day and the Frederique Constant Highlife.
I didn't gel with the Tudor, I liked the Zenith but it left me as soon as I left the boutique and I was super impressed by the Highlife - that's the watch I was thinking about in the subsequent days and weeks.
Even at retail it seemed to punch above its weight. The bracelet is very good - it feels fantastic on the wrist. The sort of watch that becomes part of you as soon as you slip it on. The quality of the finishing is excellent and the polished elements really pop. I like the subtle detail on the dial and how it changes from anthracite to grey to blue depending on the light. There's even hints of green and brown at times.
I decided on the FC Highlife pretty quickly but I wasn't in any hurry to buy. I'm still honeymooning with the Longines Spirit and wanted that to last, but late last week I got a call from the boutique offering me a Highlife at 50% off retail (☻) so I jumped then and there.
I'm only about 12 hours in - way to soon for anything definitive but:
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Apart from the comfort on wrist and the quality of the finishing it's attention to detail that first comes to mind.
The inclusion of a colour matched FKM rubber strap, the über efficient (but brutal on my freshly cut finger nails!) quick change system on the bracelet and strap and especially the etched brand logo on the clasp (and crown) displays a quality that belies the price - especially at a massive discount.
This was a bargain.
The AR is impressive and aids the changeling dial colours and there's plenty of light play from the polished centre links. I like that it's less blatantly retro than a lot of the other integrated bracelet sports watches on the market too.
The only minor gripe I have so far is the hand set. They're not bad, just uninspired. Some facets and/or alternate finishing would've elevated things.
And the 'Live Your Passion' tag line on the packaging is lame as fuck too … but I guess that's being pedantic.
The drape of the bracelet is really well executed. The watch isn't as flat and angular as many others in the category and the soft rounded surfaces pay off on wrist. Pebble like comes to mind.
All in all I'm impressed. It's a solid purchase and my first impressions are very positive - let's hope it stays that way.
𝙰 𝚜𝚒𝚖𝚙𝚕𝚎 𝚖𝚊𝚗 𝚠𝚑𝚘 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎𝚜 𝚜𝚒𝚖𝚙𝚕𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚜.
Fredrique Constant makes some stupidly well built watches at a wide array of pricepoints - and yet still a brand that is in the "If you know, you know" category. The Highlife in particular is such a great watch in all regards, great pick up!!
Enjoy and wear it in good health!!
FC is such an "if you know, you know" brand. I don't know anyone who's familiar with their watches that isn't a fan. Such a great pick up, enjoy!
Fredrique Constant makes some stupidly well built watches at a wide array of pricepoints - and yet still a brand that is in the "If you know, you know" category. The Highlife in particular is such a great watch in all regards, great pick up!!
Enjoy and wear it in good health!!
Thanks and agreed.
The quality is ridiculously good for the money, it offers value at retail but with the discount it's outstanding.
It was my first hands on experience with the brand when I visited their boutique just after Christmas.
I've had limited time with it but so far so good.
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Congrats! 🎉 Beautiful dial engraving, and I really like the inclusion of a that minute track! FC is a brand to watch in the next couple years for sure, their design language and pricepoint are fantastic.
Thanks mate.
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Very cool Anthony! Congrats 👊🏻👊🏻
Congrats! 🎉 Beautiful dial engraving, and I really like the inclusion of a that minute track! FC is a brand to watch in the next couple years for sure, their design language and pricepoint are fantastic.
Agreed.
Some of their collabs are white hot too.
I was looking at the Highlife they did with The Avener on C24 but it's the 39mm variant which didn't work as well on my orang utan sized wrist! The Amsterdam Worldtimer is stunning too.
A lot of their catalogue doesn't appeal to tool watch partial me but they're impressive nonetheless, especially the complications.
Very cool Anthony! Congrats 👊🏻👊🏻
Thanks Mike - Cheers mate! ✌🏼️
My HL says hello)
You bought a good piece, I wish you the best time with it! FC is a killer brand!
On my radar forever expecially the chronograph version ❤ Congrats on your watch and wear it with health
I am also tempted by that model. It's a really cool and nice watch.
My HL says hello)
Ahh, a man of taste obviously! 🫡
You bought a good piece, I wish you the best time with it! FC is a killer brand!
Thanks.
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👀🔥 Great looking watch 👊🏽
I had a look at a perp cal this morning. They were offering deals on that too - though not as aggressive, and for a minute I thought ... 🤔
Impressive bit of kit and a great option for everyday wear.
He's committed to wearing it this year at least until 3/2. He wants to experience the leap year with it, which I totally get. He's going bonkers though because his new Omega AT just came back from warranty service for a crystal replacement due to an AR coating defect.
I cracked a laugh with our comment on the tag line 'live your passion'.
The watch looks great. Congrats. The hands looks so similar to my Certina (and the on you used to have).
It's not my usual thing either, I'm pretty solely tool watch oriented too but I'm sold on int bracelets since the PRX (as I said).
Nows the time, I had a look on eBay and C24 and there's deals on them all over. You can a lot worse ...
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The hunt begins
Lovely watch fair play. Enjoy 😊
Wish someone would phone me up with that kind of offer 😂
Congratulations Anthony!
Lovely watch fair play. Enjoy 😊
Wish someone would phone me up with that kind of offer 😂
... I'm far from special believe me! Just a number on a list with 'likes the Highlife" written next to it, which is ironic and only true if referring to a watch. 😁
Congratulations Anthony!
Thank you kind sir.
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I cracked a laugh with our comment on the tag line 'live your passion'.
The watch looks great. Congrats. The hands looks so similar to my Certina (and the on you used to have).
.. I remember that hand set. I think Certina probably pips the FC tbh. The dial does the same different colours in different light trick too.
It's a good watch the DS Podium, another one that punches above its weight.
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Thanks for the review, quite detailed 👍 I got my high life when they first came out, and definitely have no regrets, having the second strap kept the honeymoon period going for longer too !
That is a very nice watch.
I bought one of these last year while stuck in Heathrow T5 for 6 hours. Fantastic watch for the money, especially since it's very easy to negotiate a discount. I got 40% and tax off.
That said, I've been flirting with trading it in and getting an Atelier Wen Perception...
Great and congrats. Cant beat it for the price and what you get. Actually on my radar. 👍🏼
Congrats on this piece!
Quick question on AR. I have a green dial version, but the AR seems to be quite blueish, so it's really hard to see that green dial. The lighting must be very precise to get the transparent view.
So is this AR similar in your case? Is it also blueish?
Congrats on this piece!
Quick question on AR. I have a green dial version, but the AR seems to be quite blueish, so it's really hard to see that green dial. The lighting must be very precise to get the transparent view.
So is this AR similar in your case? Is it also blueish?
Yeah - AR coating has that electric blue colour to it. What your talking about is more likely a combo of the AR and the domed crystal causing refraction.
It's not an easy watch to photograph - the lens seems to pick up / enhance the flecto, but otherwise I'm finding that the AR is really effective.
It works well with the grey dial though and creates colour play more than an electric blue refraction.
The difference may be the colour of the dial?, but that's a guess.
Hope this helps and bare in mind I've only had the watch for a day or so and my experience with it is limited.
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Yeah - AR coating has that electric blue colour to it. What your talking about is more likely a combo of the AR and the domed crystal causing refraction.
It's not an easy watch to photograph - the lens seems to pick up / enhance the flecto, but otherwise I'm finding that the AR is really effective.
It works well with the grey dial though and creates colour play more than an electric blue refraction.
The difference may be the colour of the dial?, but that's a guess.
Hope this helps and bare in mind I've only had the watch for a day or so and my experience with it is limited.
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Your observation goes very much inline with my thoughts. Thanks for your reply! Once again, enjoy this watch - these are somewhat rarer (and way cooler imho) than all-beloved-PRX.