Frederique Constant Highlife Moonphase Date Manufacture: A New Take on Astronomical Elegance
Frederique Constant has expanded its Highlife collection with a new complication that brings a touch of traditional watchmaking to one of the brand’s more contemporary designs. The new Highlife Moonphase Date Manufacture FC-716RG3NH6 combines a moonphase display and pointer-style date with an in-house automatic movement, all housed inside a relatively compact 39mm stainless steel case.
It is an interesting combination. The Highlife has always occupied the sportier, more modern side of Frederique Constant’s catalogue, while moonphase complications traditionally lend themselves to more classical designs. Here, however, the two worlds come together rather nicely, with the architectural case and integrated bracelet-style design providing a contemporary foundation for a decidedly traditional complication.
A Warm New Dial
The headline visual feature of the FC-716RG3NH6 is undoubtedly its rose champagne dial. Finished with a sunray effect, the dial moves between warm golden and copper tones depending on how the light catches it, giving the watch considerably more personality than the specification sheet might initially suggest.
Interestingly, the sunburst pattern radiates asymmetrically from the moonphase display at 6 o’clock rather than simply emanating from the centre of the dial. This draws the eye naturally towards the watch’s main complication, while faceted silver hour markers and polished hour and minute hands provide plenty of contrast. The hands and markers are also treated with white luminescent material, ensuring that the watch retains a degree of practicality despite its more dressy ambitions.
At 6 o’clock sits the combined moonphase and date display. Rather than cluttering the dial with separate sub-dials, Frederique Constant has brought the two functions together, with a pointer-style date indication running around the perimeter of the moonphase aperture. The result is a complication that feels visually interesting without overwhelming the relatively clean Highlife design.
The FC-716 Manufacture Calibre
Underneath the dial is where things become particularly interesting. The watch is powered by Frederique Constant’s FC-716 Manufacture automatic calibre, an in-house movement offering a substantial 72-hour power reserve. Running at 28,800 vibrations per hour and containing 26 jewels, the movement provides the technical foundation expected from the Manufacture name.
That three-day power reserve is especially useful for an everyday mechanical watch. Leave it on the desk Friday evening and, assuming it was sufficiently wound, it should still be ticking when Monday morning arrives. Through the transparent caseback, owners can also see the movement’s decoration, including circular graining and fan-shaped Côtes de Genève.
It is this combination of an in-house movement, useful power reserve and genuine complication that gives the Highlife Moonphase Date Manufacture much of its appeal. Frederique Constant has long positioned itself around making higher-end Swiss watchmaking more accessible, and this model fits that philosophy particularly well.
39mm and Ready for Anything
The stainless steel case measures 39mm across and 12.82mm thick, giving the watch proportions that should work particularly well for modern wrists. It is also rated to 100 metres of water resistance, which is a notable advantage over many traditional moonphase watches that tend to favour dress-watch levels of water resistance.
And because this is a Highlife, versatility is very much part of the package. Frederique Constant supplies the watch with two interchangeable options: a blue Saffiano calfskin strap and a five-link stainless steel bracelet. The quick-change system means switching between the two requires no specialist tools, allowing the watch to move from something relatively elegant on leather to something considerably sportier on steel.
That dual personality arguably makes more sense here than it might on a traditional dress watch. The moonphase and champagne dial give the FC-716RG3NH6 a sophisticated presence, while the Highlife case and bracelet keep it from becoming overly formal.
Specifications
Model: Frederique Constant Highlife Moonphase Date Manufacture FC-716RG3NH6
Case: Stainless steel
Diameter: 39mm
Thickness: 12.82mm
Water resistance: 100 metres
Movement: Frederique Constant FC-716 Manufacture automatic
Power reserve: 72 hours
Frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour
Jewels: 26
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, moonphase and pointer date
Dial: Rose champagne sunray
Strap: Blue Saffiano calfskin
Additional bracelet: Five-link stainless steel bracelet
Warranty: 5 years
Price: £3995
Winding Things Up
The Highlife Moonphase Date Manufacture is a clever addition to Frederique Constant’s catalogue. Rather than simply placing another traditional moonphase watch into its collection, the brand has taken one of its more recognisable contemporary designs and given it a complication that brings a very different character to the watch.
The rose champagne dial is the real star of the show, but the combination of the 39mm case, 100-metre water resistance, interchangeable straps and FC-716 Manufacture movement makes this more than just a pretty moonphase. The 72-hour power reserve and in-house calibre give it some serious mechanical substance, while the Highlife platform keeps the overall package practical and versatile.
It is a watch that demonstrates just how far Frederique Constant has come with its Manufacture offering. Traditional complications, modern proportions and genuinely useful everyday functionality rarely come together quite this neatly — and the Highlife Moonphase Date Manufacture makes a strong case for having a little bit of astronomy on your wrist without going full dress watch.
