Cars & motorsport
Frederique Constant’s Very British Classic Car Connection
The eyes of most classic car fans will light up at the very mention of former roadster maker Austin-Healey. Fortunately, a new capsule collection from Frederique Constant revs the engine on the golden age of free-spirited, open-air motoring – vintage UK-style.
By Mike Espindle
Executive Editor
Before we get started, we need to clear something up: Almost everybody confuses the legacy car brand Austin-Healey with the very much extant luxury car brand Aston Martin. The two are not at all the same thing.
The confusion is understandable; they have similar “A” names, both are unapologetically British in their approach and intent, and both are famous for producing uncanny roadsters with a profound sense of joy and performance. However, as previously mentioned, Aston Martin is still producing vehicles, while Austin-Healey sadly ceased operations in 1972.
The Big Healey
Austin-Healey released its first cars in 1952, focusing on the peppy, open-air Austin-Healey 100 series, which provided a welcome, minimally weather-protected, bugs-in-your-teeth, open-air driving experience.
In 1956, the line pivoted to production of the Austin-Healey 100-6, which brought a thrumming 6-cylinder, six-port power plant to the roadster. It was also the first time Austin-Healey offered a 4-seater.
Then, in 1959, the so-called “Big Healey” – a.k.a. the Austin-Healey 3000 –debuted in both hardtop and droptop convertible versions. Although visually indistinguishable from the 100-6, the 3000 was an updated, more powerful version of the 100-6 and became a big success for the carmaker, particularly in the U.S. market.
Sprite-ly
First added to the production line in 1958, the unmistakable, usually bug-eyed Sprite was a fantastic little car that probably is the best representation of Austin-Healey’s magical combination of both track- and rally-ready performance and relative affordability.
It was the exotic speedster almost anyone could afford to put in their garage at $1,795 when it debuted (that’s only about $21,500 in 2025 dollars!), and was arguably the spiritual precursor to the modern Mazda Miata.
Racing Green
Watchmaker Frederique Constant has produced Healey-inspired watches every other year since 2004; however, the last time Watchonista took a deep look at one of these releases was in 2022, with a pair of collaborative limited-edition timepieces.
Then, two years ago, Frederique Constant revived its use of British racing green for the dial of the time-only 40mm Classics Vintage Rally Healey Automatic COSC. This year, we’re looking at a capsule collection of three Classics Vintage Rally Healey Automatic models.
First of the 2025 models, the Ref. FC-301HGRS5B26 builds on the COSC’s apt colorway and sporty appeal, retaining the 40mm polished stainless steel case and the signature racing glove-inspired brown perforated leather strap of the 2023 model.
The 2025 iteration also features the same evocative dark green dial, the “Healey” logo at 6 o’clock, bold red seconds hand, bar indices, and gauged outer minute ring; however, this new version has a different Healey model engraved on the caseback.
Powered by the automatic FC-301 movement with a 38-hour power reserve, the new version is offered, for the first time, as a non-limited edition.
British Understatement
The second model in the collection is a limited edition. With 1,888 pieces in a vintage 36mm steel case format, the Ref. FC-303HLBN3B6 crosses the finish line as a classic three-hander, with the addition of a date window at 6 o’clock and a bold Arabic “12” at the top of the dial to join the bar indices.
The dial of this model is a brilliant, sunray-finished, metallic icy blue inspired by the signature color of the Austin-Healey 3000 MKII BN7. Produced in 1961 and 1962, this “Big Healey” often utilized a kind of Corvette Stingray-style two-tone blue-and-white exterior.
On a complementary deep blue leather strap, this three-hander brings some added sophistication to this racetrack.
Countdown
In another limited-edition run capped at 1,888, the fleet-leading Ref. FC-397HLBN5B6 brings an always-auto-appropriate chronograph function to the capsule collection, as well as a view through an exhibition caseback to the chronograph-equipped movement (which required a jump back up to a 42mm steel case size).
From the front, bi-compax totalizers (30 minutes at 3 o’clock and small seconds at 9 o’clock), perhaps inspired by the two prominent headlamps of the Sprite mentioned above, join the gleaming sunburst blue dial from its sibling directly above, as well as vintage mushroom chrono pushers right where you want them.
Pricing & Availability
The non-limited edition racing green execution lists for $1,895, while the limited edition blue three-hander is priced at $1,995. The limited-edition, chronograph-equipped model from the Frederique Constant Classics Rally Healey collection goes for $3,395.
For more information, check out the Frederique Constant website.