Frederique Constant Highlife FC-391V4NH2B Men’s 41mm Two-Tone Automatic Chronograph Watch – Silver Dial, Steel Bracelet

Frederique Constant Highlife FC-391V4NH2B: Two-Tone Automatic Chronograph

The Frederique Constant FC-391V4NH2B is a 41 mm Highlife automatic chronograph in two-tone stainless steel and rose gold-tone finish. It has a matte silver dial with an embossed globe pattern, a sapphire crystal, a 100 metre water resistance rating and an integrated bracelet that can be swapped for a rubber strap. Highlife is the brand’s sports-luxury line. Taken together, the chronograph, the 100 metre rating and the dual bracelet and strap options make this reference one of its most versatile, because the same watch moves comfortably from a business meeting to a weekend by the water.

Case and Wrist Presence

The round case is 41 mm in diameter and a little over 14 mm thick, which gives the chronograph a solid, sporty stance without becoming unwieldy. The case is stainless steel with a rose gold-tone PVD bezel and rose gold-tone fluted crown, with rectangular chronograph pushers, set against the silver steel case body. A transparent case back shows the automatic movement and its rotor. The crystal is sapphire with anti-reflective treatment, which keeps the dial readable under bright light.

• 41 mm round case – a confident size for a chronograph, with enough dial space for three sub-dials
• Two-tone styling – polished silver steel combined with rose gold-tone bezel, crown and links
• Sapphire crystal – hard wearing and clear
• Transparent case back – a view of the Swiss movement in action

Dial Layout

The dial is a matte silver with an embossed globe pattern at the centre, a surface of fine raised lines that gives the face texture without glare. Rose gold-tone applied hour indices and rose gold-tone hands carry luminous material for low-light reading, and a minute track runs around the outer rim. Retailer descriptions place a date aperture between the four and five o’clock positions.

The three sub-dials are matte silver and arranged in the classic tri-compax pattern. One source lists a 30-minute counter at three o’clock, a 12-hour counter at six o’clock and a small seconds display at nine o’clock. The 12-hour counter is useful for timing longer events, such as a drive, a flight leg or a meeting that runs over. The rose gold colour of the hands against the silver ground gives the face a clear warm accent without making it busy.

Movement and Chronograph

The watch runs on the Frederique Constant FC-391, a Swiss automatic chronograph calibre with 26 jewels, a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) and a power reserve of about 60 hours, according to two retail pages. It is wound by a rotor that follows the motion of your wrist, so there is no battery to replace. Sixty hours means that, once fully wound, it should keep running through a weekend with a margin to spare.

• Chronograph – start, stop and reset timing for seconds, minutes and hours
• Date – a window between four and five o’clock
• Automatic winding – powered by everyday movement
• Roughly 60 hours of reserve – enough to rest the watch over a weekend

To use the chronograph, press the upper pusher to start and stop timing and the lower pusher to reset. Reset the timer to zero before each new measurement so the sub-dials always start from a known point, and avoid pressing the pushers while the watch is wet.

Bracelet, Clasp and Interchangeable Strap

The integrated bracelet is two-tone: stainless steel links with rose gold-tone centre links, finished to blend with the bezel. It is secured by a folding butterfly clasp with push-button releases, which opens smoothly and keeps the bracelet flat on the wrist. The Highlife line is built around a quick-change system, and one retailer states that this reference also comes with an interchangeable brown rubber strap. If you want the sportier look, the rubber strap changes the character of the watch completely, while the bracelet is the more dressy option.

Water Resistance in Practice

The case is rated to 10 ATM, or 100 metres. That is enough for swimming, snorkelling and water sports in the shallows, as well as ordinary showers and rain. It is not a dive watch, and the crown and pushers should not be operated underwater. Rinse the watch with fresh water after salt water or chlorine, and have the seals checked from time to time to keep the rating dependable.

The Highlife Collection and Frederique Constant

Frederique Constant is a Swiss watchmaker founded in Geneva in 1988. The Highlife line takes the brand into the integrated bracelet sports-luxury style, with a case that flows into the bracelet and a design intended for daily wear. The globe pattern on the dial is a distinctive feature of the line, and the chronograph models are the more technical members of the family.

Who This Watch Suits

• Men who want one watch that works with both a suit and casual clothes
• Chronograph fans who like a larger dial and a 12-hour counter
• Anyone who likes mixing metals, with silver steel and rose gold-tone detail together
• Swimmers and holidaymakers who need a dependable 100 metre rating

Care and Maintenance

Wipe the case and bracelet with a soft cloth, and use a soft brush with mild soapy water on the links now and then. Rose gold-tone surfaces are a coating, so avoid abrasive polish and harsh chemicals. Keep the watch away from strong magnets, and wind the crown a few turns before setting the time if it has been stopped. A mechanical chronograph benefits from a service by a qualified watchmaker every few years to keep the timing steady and the seals sound.

Technical Specifications