The Highlife collection of Frederique Constant is resolutely focused on the present moment. It embraces the contours of its time, appropriating current trends, remaining chic and impertinent at the same time. In this vein, the new Highlife Ladies Automatic creations presented in 2022 offer two sparkling 34 mm versions adorned with yellow gold plating - the first one being fully gold-plated, while the second, two-tone, alternates it with steel. The latter are fitted with the collection's iconic integrated and interchangeable bracelet and come with an additional white rubber strap.
The Highlife collection, launched in 1999, has been a landmark in the history of Fredrique Constant. Having made its comeback in 2020, it is more modern than ever! Having presented several urban, sporty, jewelled and adventurous variations, Fredrique Constant opens the ball for 2022 with two new proposals both playing chic and glamourous.
The most precious Highlife Ladies Automatic
Diamonds are eternal, but so is gold! Once overshadowed by its red or pink variations, yellow gold is making a strong comeback. Appreciated for its authenticity, natural glow and purity, it is a timeless classic. It dresses the neck, the ear, the finger but also the wrist with warmth and brilliance.
By marrying these two timeless elements, yellow gold and diamonds, Fredrique Constant has created a new Highlife Ladies Automatic timepiece. Its 34 mm case is entirely plated with yellow gold, as are its bracelet, indexes and hands. The latter hover over eight genuine diamond hour-markers, complemented by a date window at 3 o'clock, the edge of which is also gold-plated.
To better highlight the rich palette of reflections offered by yellow gold, Fredrique Constant has opted for a wide range of finishes alternating between matt and polished surfaces. This is true of the bezel, which is entirely mirror-polished to emphasise the harmony of its perfect circle. It is doubly echoed in the heart of the dial with on one hand the engraved representation of the globe - the aesthetic signature of the Highlife collection - and on the other hand, the ring setting of each diamond, whose brilliance is reflected with infinite purity.
The delicate curved case is satin-brushed, the angle of which hugs every line of the timepiece, right up to the edge of the caseband where an entirely gold-plated bracelet unfolds. It alternates two satin-finished links with a polished central link - a remarkable piece of finishing that testifies to the affection of the Fredrique Constant Manufacture for the Genevan craftsmanship of which it is a worthy representative.
This very chic bracelet will have its shock counterpart, with a second strap (delivered with the watch) in white rubber and featuring gold-plated pin buckle, allowing the piece to go from red carpet to urban look in the blink of an eye and without tools!
Mix & Match: the gold and silver double
At the same time, the Highlife Ladies Automatic has been given a second version. Between gold and silver, why choose? The piece offers both, articulated around a simple principle: all the surfaces previously gold-plated are now declined in steel. The others remain in mirror-polished yellow gold plating. The result: a superb alternation of tones, metals, finishes and reflections. The piece does not play the card of soft harmony but dares to create strong contrasts and complementarity. The steel material, raw and modern, reminiscent of megacities’ architecture, plays against the shimmering, brilliant, mirror-polished gold, highlighting its slightest reflections. A subtle, playful and poetic game of opposition for those whose character refuses to choose between tradition and modernity, between evening wear and casual outfit.
Like its yellow gold counterpart, this new model also comes with a rubber strap. It will either reinforce the modern and urban spirit of the steel, or play the balance against a bright, shiny, yellow gold plating. And for these two prestigious pieces, Fredrique Constant has chosen an automatic calibre with a 38-hour power reserve, richly decorated in a spiral pattern and visible through the open case-back.
