Frederique Constant Vintage Rally Healey Automatic – A fitting tribute to vintage British sportscars

Around this part of the world, the vintage car brand Austin-Healy isn’t quite as well-known compared to the western territories. However, with the current trend of green dials being all the rage, I just had to talk about this new Frederique Constant Vintage Rally Healey Automatic. Because even if you have no affinity whatsoever for this classic British sports car, the stunning British racing green dial is something that everyone can appreciate.

Austin-Healy was established in the UK in 1952 and built pretty nifty looking sports cars up until 1972. The first Frederique Constant tribute to these cars came in 2016 and have been updated periodically since. For the new 2020 launch, they decided to go with a simple three-hand timepiece with a date function as opposed to the previously launched chronographs.

One of the biggest differences afforded by a three-hand model is the simple and clean design of the dial. This uncluttered elegance then allows the deep and bold green to stand out. Combine this with a nice white ring on the dial, and the sword-style hands, you have a watch that simply oozes classic good looks. This is further completed by a perforated leather strap, matching the look of classic racing gloves.

The case is sized at 40mm and made of stainless steel, although there is a version that comes with a rose-gold plated case if you want a dressier option. The movement is an automatic FC-303 calibre with a date window at 3 o’clock and a power reserve of 38 hours. Interesting fact: on the caseback, you will find an engraving of a Healey being driven at full throttle and this is modelled after the famous Healey 100S NOJ 393 which according to FC was purchased by a collector for GBP 155 in 1969 and sold for nearly EUR 1 million in December 2011.

The Frederique Constant Vintage Rally Healy Automatic is priced at EUR 1,450 (approx. MYR 6,970) and is limited to only 2,888 pieces worldwide.