There aren’t bigger watch fanatics in the world than car nuts. And there aren’t bigger car nuts in the world than watch fanatics. Indeed, it’s a match as old as…industry. Just like tea and crumpets, or love and marriage, automobiles and mechanical watches have always made the perfect pair.
Just take a gander at some of the more famous “pairings” of great watch houses and great automotive marques like Jaeger-LeCoultre and Aston Martin; Chopard and Porsche; IWC and Mercedes-AMG; Parmigiani Fleurier and Bugatti; Ferrari and Panerai; even Breitling and Bentley just to name a few. Frederique Constant continues this tradition with their new, Vintage Rally limited edition watches inspired by one of the most beautiful British sports cars in history, the Austin Healey.
Established in 1952, Austin-Healey was a British sports car maker that began as a joint venture between Leonard Lord of the Austin division of the British Motor Corporation (BMC) and the Donald Healey Motor Company (Healey), a renowned automotive engineering and design firm. The company became heavily involved in motor racing in the United States, and even set a number of land speed records in 1953 with a specially modified Austin Healey at the Bonneville Salt Flats.
Austin Healey cars were produced for twenty years until 1972 when the 20-year agreement between Healey and Austin came to an end. In that time, the beloved marque built an automotive legacy that has spawned legions of collectors until today. In fact, look at any classic automobile short list, and an Austin Healey will surely be close to the top.
The Austin Healey has even made an impact in popular culture. In the seventh season episode of Mad Men, “Time Zones,” Megan picks up Don at LAX in a green 1969 Austin Healey convertible; in the movies The Father of the Bride and its sequel, The Father of the Bride II, Steve Martin’s titular character drives an Austin Healey MKIII; in Home Improvement, Tim gets into trouble for driving Jill’s Austin Healey without her permission; even the video for Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Tears for Fears has Curt Smith driving a British racing green Austin Healey 3000 around some of California’s more famous landmarks.
In its short twenty years of existence, the Austin Healey has definitely left its mark in the world. Watchmaker Frederique Constant is keen to do the same with the house’s designers eager to demonstrate the same passion for timeless mechanisms and engineering perfection. In fact, that same passion is one of the reasons the brand forged a longstanding partnership with the Healey car brand 12 years ago. Indeed, Frederique Constant has been involved in classic car rallies for some time now, and just like Chopard, the brand has released its own collection inspired by the classic automobile.
The trio of new models come in 40 mm polished 3-piece cases, either in steel or rose gold plated (yes, plated so the brand can keep their prices down). With each of the three versions giving a subtle wink to the car’s steering wheel via a color ring on the dial that is matched with a skin-friendly, dark grey leather strap with either a white or red stitching depending on the model. Prominent on the dial is the Healey logo at 6 o’clock and the date window at 3 o’clock, while the Arabic numerals and the hands of the hours and minutes are Superluminova coated.
But the model that gives the most “vintage appeal” has got to be a fourth version. This model eschews the Healey logo and instead gives the words “Peking to Paris” the coveted 6 o’clock position. It features a stainless steel case, a silvered dial with burgundy ring, applied pearl black luminous indexes, and a dark grey leather strap with red stitching.
All models are powered by the Frederique Constant FC-303 automatic movement that has been outsourced (again to keep the costs down). This Swiss-made calibre beats at a frequency of 28,000vph and delivers a 38-hour power reserve to efficiently drive the hours, minutes, seconds and date functions.
Limited to 2,888 numbered pieces for each model, each case back is engraved with a Healey car as well as the individual number of the watch. Best of all, every timepiece from the Vintage Rally collection comes with a magnificent Healey NOJ393 miniature model that is accurate in every detail.
Understanding that the watch would only be truly appreciated by true Austin Healey enthusiasts, Frederique Constant chose to honor eighty passionate classic car enthusiasts from the French Healey Car Club at its Manufacture in Plan-les-Ouates. The brand then seized the opportunity to unveil to real Austin lovers the new vintage rally timepieces. Needless to say, the gathering, as well as the launch, was a resounding success.
