For more than 20 years, Frederique Constant has turned to one classic car for inspiration: the Austin-Healey. The Geneva watchmaker has partnered with Healey since 2004, and its Vintage Rally Healey line, released only once every two years, has built a loyal following among collectors. The latest edition, introduced in 2025, arrived as three models, led by the Classics Vintage Rally Healey Automatic with a British racing green dial.
The story of NOJ393
The collection takes its cue from NOJ393, the registration number of a famous Austin-Healey 100S. The 100S was born of a collaboration between the Austin Motor Company and the driver and designer Donald Healey. According to Frederique Constant, NOJ393 is one of the few original cars that remain, and with its fluid lines and British racing green livery, it became a classic. Fittingly, an engraving of the car appears on the watch’s caseback.
A British racing green watch
The Frederique Constant Classics Vintage Rally Healey Automatic keeps things simple. It has a 40 mm steel case, just three hands and a green dial with luminous applied indexes and hand-polished hands. A red seconds hand, a hallmark of all the 2025 models, adds a sporty touch.
Inside, it runs on the brand’s automatic FC-301 calibre, with a 38-hour power reserve. The watch comes on a brown perforated calfskin strap that recalls the driving gloves of racers past. Earlier Vintage Rally Healey watches were limited editions, but this time, the three-hand model is not limited.
Two limited editions in Healey blue
Alongside it, Frederique Constant introduced two limited editions of 1,888 pieces each. Both have a Healey blue dial, inspired by the metallic blue of the Austin-Healey 3000 MKII BM7. The first is a compact 36 mm watch with three hands, a date window and a sunburst dial. The second is a chronograph in a 42 mm steel case with an open caseback, two counters and a navy blue calfskin strap with contrast stitching.
About Frederique Constant
Founded in 1988 by Aletta and Peter Stas, Frederique Constant is a Swiss watchmaker based in Geneva. Its aim is to offer Swiss Made luxury watches at fair prices, and it has developed 34 calibres in its own manufacture at Plan-les-Ouates. Since 2016, the Frederique Constant Group has been part of Japan’s Citizen group.
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Images courtesy of Frederique Constant.
The Daily Brunch editorial team, led by co-founder Anju Anna Alex, has written about luxury hotels, restaurants, chefs and travel across India and beyond since 2016, with stories told through the people behind them.
