Introducing The New Frederique Constant Highlife Edition Caron
Frederique Constant added a 50-piece limited edition Caron to its Highlife collection.
This exclusive edition is the result of the cooperation of the Dutch team of Reijersen Jewelers with Michelin star Chef Alain Caron. The famous chef who gives his name to the watch is of French origin and has been established for a long time in the Netherlands where, in addition to managing four restaurants with his two sons, he is also a frequent presence on well-known TV programs such as ‘Master Chef’ and the author of several books.
The watch, which on the outside is almost identical to its peers, arrives in the usual tonneau-shaped stainless steel case whose finish alternates between brushed and polished, and in two sizes, 34 and 39mm in diameter by 9.60 and 10.34mm in thickness. respectively. Domed sapphire crystal on the front and open case back, fluted crown at 3 o’clock and 100m water resistance.
The dial in matte cream-champagne tones appears with a swirl-shaped pattern whose visual effect resembles dunes. In it, we can find applied hour markers filled with Super-LumiNova in white and pistachio-green tones from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. which represent the service hours of Alain Caron’s restaurants. Two silver-plated pencil hands also filled with the same white luminescent material, a centre seconds hand, a framed date window with a white background next to the crown, and a black minute track matching the inscriptions on the dial as the brand’s lettering at noon and ‘Caron’ followed by ‘Automatic’ from movement at 6 o’clock.
At its heart, the Caliber FC-303 automatic movement based on the Sellita SW200-1 operates 28,800 Vph and offers up to 38 hours of power reserve. Also noteworthy is the oscillating gold weight that can be seen through the sapphire rear glass, which is decorated with Alain’s three-stroke drawing, which is another of his passions, that symbolizes two people kissing and with whom it shares the spotlight.
The watches that come attached to the usual steel bracelet with H-shaped links are also accompanied by an extra khaki rubber strap. Prices range from €2,295 for the reduced version to €2,395 for the wider version.
Our Opinion
A limited edition that doesn’t bring many new features, it’s in the details that we find the differences and here we can say that the beige dial with the visual effect of shadows on the dunes is quite appealing. The same goes for the detail of the pistachio green markers, which in addition to being unique and unlikely has a foundation. To close with a flourish, the beautiful drawing on the case back, in addition to transmitting a beautiful message, makes us suspect that, in addition to being a Chef, Alain Caron has an artistic streak.
Read more here.
General Specifications:
Brand: Frederique Constant
Model: Highlife Automatic Edition Caron
Reference: FC-303CAR2NH6B (34mm), FC-303CAR3NH6B (39mm)
Dial: Champagne
Lume: Super-LumiNova
Case Material: Stainless steel
Case Dimensions: 34 / 39 mm diameter, 9.60 / 10.34 mm thickness
Crystal: Sapphire Glass
Case Back: Sapphire Glass
Water Resistance: 100 meters
Strap: Integrated stainless steel bracelet and an extra khaki rubber strap.
Calibre: FC-303 (Sellita SW200 basead)
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 Vph
Jewels: 38
Power Reserve: 50 Hours
Availability: Now
Price: € 2,295 (34mm), € 2,395 (39mm)
Limited Edition: Yes, 50 pieces each size
