The Frederique Constant Highlife COSC Makes For A Pretty Compelling Everyday Watch

With the launch of the Frederique Constant Highlife collection, yet another player enters the realm of the luxury steel sports watch with an integrated bracelet. This time, however, it is on the more elegant end of the spectrum and sits at a lower price average compared to the more established players in this market.

The collection was originally launched in 1999 and was distinguished by having a strap that was built into the case. Fast forward more than 20 years later, and this collection has been revived amidst a growing trend for watches with integrated bracelets.

Of course, the new Highlife will also feature this built-in strap design and they will even offer it in leather, rubber, and stainless steel. The best part is the fact that all three straps come with a convenient quick-release mechanism making it incredibly easy to change it out. On the downside, because it is an integrated strap system, it probably will not fit the regular straight-end straps.

As for its aesthetics, one of the most noticeable elements on the dial is the engraving of a globe. This is the signature for all Highlife pieces.

The watch we are looking at is the Automatic COSC, and as the name suggests, it is a Chronometer certified piece. What’s interesting is that this reference is priced as the least expensive Highlife in the collection, surpassed by an open heart dial version along with a perpetual calendar version.

To me, this one with the date function and the Chronometer certification is the best one to pick up if you are using the watch as a daily-beater. Not only does the COSC guarantee the movement to be accurate to a standard of -4/+6 seconds deviation per day but it also has the flexibility of interchangeable straps depending on your agenda.

The watch comes with a case diameter of 41mm and has a blue or white dial with a stainless steel case, a black dial with a rose gold plated case and one in a bi-metal design as well.

Prices for the Frederique Constant Highlife Automatic COSC starts at CHF 1,895 (Approx. MYR 8,580).