A luxury world timer at this price?! A review of the Frederique Constant High Life watch

I was able to borrow the Frederique Constant Highlife Worldtimer Manufacture for about two weeks, so I'll be reviewing it after wearing it. This is a highly satisfying worldtimer model that combines reasonable pricing and excellent quality, as is typical of the brand, which has achieved "affordable luxury" through its manufacture.

Wearing the Frederique Constant Highlife Worldtimer Manufacture

　Frederique Constant was founded in 1988 by Peter Stass and his wife, Aletta. The company's defining characteristic is its philosophy of "high quality, Swiss-made, and affordable." The company produces its products through its own manufacturing facility in Plan-les-Ouates, near Geneva, Switzerland, established in 2006. The facility handles all aspects of product design, development, assembly, and quality control. This production system allows the brand to offer high-quality watches while maintaining a price range of around ¥20 to ¥80, with the exception of some high-end models. While watches featuring "in-house movements" are often expensive, these watches offer reasonable pricing. While the brand may have been known only to a select few in Japan, its acquisition by Citizen in 2016 has led to a gradual increase in domestic retailers.

　This time, I had the opportunity to wear the Highlife Worldtimer Manufacture, which Frederique Constant released in 2021.

The Highlife is a collection from Frederique Constant with a modern, sporty feel, characterized by a form in which the case and bracelet are integrated into one piece. All models are equipped with an interchangeable system, allowing straps to be removed without tools. Each model also comes with a separate strap that matches the color of the watch. While the Highlife lineup includes a variety of models, this particular model features a world timer that displays the time in 24 cities around the world on the dial. As if to symbolize this function, a globe motif is placed in the center of the dial.

The triple threat of "high quality, Swiss made, and affordable"

It's not true that "cheaper is better." In the world of luxury watches, it's not uncommon for them to be expensive due to the amount of effort and the pursuit of performance, and the outstanding watches that are produced because of that effort have added value that can't be replaced by anything else. However, a humble office worker like me doesn't have an endless amount of money to spend on watches. So I'm always looking for a watch that I feel is valuable within my limited budget, but recently, due to rising raw material costs and the influence of exchange rates, the prices of luxury watches have been on the rise, and it's becoming quite difficult to find one within my budget.

　The hidden gem among these was Frederique Constant's Highlife Worldtimer Manufacture.

　The list price of this watch is 737,000 yen (tax included), which I think is very reasonable considering that it features a world timer. A world timer is a mechanism with a dial that displays the names of cities in various countries. While they are not as popular as GMT or dual time watches, many world timer watches are priced above 1 million yen. Swiss-made complication watches tend to cost over 1 million yen. This watch, on the other hand, retails for just 700,000 yen, which is very convenient for users. What's more, this price includes both a bracelet and a strap, making it even more of a bargain. While some watch brands have stopped offering interchangeable straps, the Highlife offers both a bracelet and a strap at this price. Incidentally, the watch is interchangeable, so you can change them without tools.

　Additionally, the exterior has a complex shape but is smooth and feels good against the skin. I wore it with a strap this time, but the bracelet is also smooth and has just the right amount of play. Furthermore, the watch features elaborate details such as a combination of satin and polished finishes, as well as perlage decoration on the buckle, all of which indicate that it was manufactured with an uncompromising attitude toward quality.

　The rubber strap is also soft and easy to wear, and although it is rubber, it has stitching that gives it an elegant look.

In-house movement Cal. FC-718 with world timer

　The movement used in this watch is the automatic Cal. FC-718, manufactured in-house by Frederique Constant. This movement was released in 2012 along with the "Classic Worldtimer Manufacture" and can be viewed through the transparent case back. The large sapphire crystal allows for a clear view of the movement right to the edge. The rotor is hollowed out so it does not interfere with the aesthetic of Frederique Constant's distinctive balance wheel at 6 o'clock.

　The world timer is simple to operate. Like a typical world timer watch, the time is set by turning a rotating disc with the names of 24 cities written on it, and this disc, the pointer date at 6 o'clock, and the hour and minute hands can all be operated with just the crown. Pulling the crown out two positions sets the time, pulling it out one position sets the city disc and date, and leaving it out winds the mainspring. By the way, to use the world timer, set your current city at the 12 o'clock position. The 24-hour disc rotates in tandem with the hour and minute hands, so if you want to know the time in another city, just look at this 24-hour disc.

　However, perhaps to protect the elegant shape of the Highlife's case, the crown is small, making it somewhat difficult to operate. It's difficult to pull out, and turning the hands and winding the mainspring feels heavy. However, since it's an automatic watch with a standard power reserve of about 42 hours, it's unlikely you'll need to operate it frequently.

A luxury world timer that reflects the company's efforts

　I reviewed the Frederique Constant Highlife Worldtimer Manufacture.

　This is a world timer watch that exudes luxury in every way, yet is sold at a reasonable price of 737,000 yen including tax. After wearing it, I realized that it is a masterpiece that reflects the corporate efforts of the Swiss watch brand Frederique Constant.

　It is not difficult to imagine that the company will continue to increase its presence in the watch market in the future, with products that combine the three elements of "high quality, Swiss made, and affordable prices," which are the company's strengths as a manufacturer.