Frederique Constant is accelerating their love affair with British automotive heritage through two stunning new releases that celebrate the legendary Austin-Healey marque.
The Classics Vintage Rally Healey Date and Chronograph Automatic models represent the latest chapter in a partnership that has been running strong since 2018, bringing together Swiss horological expertise with the romantic spirit of British sports car racing.
Blue Bloods Racing Heritage
Both timepieces showcase the signature “Healey Blue” – that distinctive sky-blue shade synonymous with the Austin-Healey 3000 MKII BM7. This isn’t just aesthetic choice; it’s a direct homage to one of Britain’s most beloved sports cars, a vehicle that epitomized the golden age of open-road motoring and weekend rallying adventures.
The Chronograph Automatic takes pole position as the sportier sibling, housed in a substantial 42mm stainless steel case with classic pump pushers that echo vintage racing chronographs. The sunray-finished dial radiates outward from the center, creating dynamic light play that mirrors the excitement of motorsport timing.
Two snailed subdials provide running seconds at 9 o’clock and a 30-minute timer at 3 o’clock, while bright red accents on the chronograph hands add visual punch – a key design motif for Frederique Constant’s 2025 collection.
Powering this racing-inspired timepiece is the proven Calibre FC-397, likely based on the reliable Sellita SW510 movement. While not a manufacture caliber, it delivers respectable performance with a 62-hour power reserve and has served the Healey collection faithfully since the partnership’s inception.
The exhibition caseback reveals the movement’s mechanical beauty while the navy calf leather strap perfectly matches the dial’s subdial accents.
Vintage Charm in Compact Form
For those seeking more vintage-appropriate sizing, the Date model delivers classic proportions in a svelte 36mm case measuring just 9.85mm thick. This compact dimension makes it ideal for smaller wrists or as part of a his-and-hers pairing with the larger chronograph. The design language remains consistent – the same Healey Blue sunray dial, polished lugs, and overall aesthetic DNA that creates visual cohesion across the collection.
The Date model strips away chronograph complexity in favor of pure timekeeping elegance. Central hours, minutes, and seconds (with that signature red seconds hand) occupy the dial alongside a date window at 6 o’clock, topped by the distinctive Healey logo. This placement pays direct tribute to the automotive marque while maintaining dial balance and readability.
Inside, the Calibre FC-303 (based on the Sellita SW200) provides reliable automatic operation with a 38-hour power reserve. While more basic than its chronograph sibling, it perfectly suits the watch’s elegant simplicity. The solid caseback features an engraved Austin-Healey image, creating a personal connection to the automotive inspiration.
Both models embrace the same limited production philosophy, with 1,888 pieces each – a number that has become traditional for this series. Pricing positions them strategically within Frederique Constant’s lineup: the Chronograph at £2,995 offers serious complications and presence, while the Date model at £1,295 provides accessible entry into this automotive-horological partnership.
