Onyx Moon Elevates Highlife Collaboration
Frederique Constant’s first integrated five-link bracelet -Life in Classic
A Winter Collaboration Takes Shape
Time+Tide closes the year with a striking collaboration alongside Frederique Constant. Together they unveil the Highlife Moonphase Date Manufacture “Onyx Moon,” a limited edition that leans into dressy elegance while keeping everyday versatility. The Highlife line has long been known for its integrated sports design and quick-change straps. Yet this release adds several firsts that push the platform in a fresh direction. It balances refined details with useful features, and it does so without losing the brand’s value-driven spirit.
Moreover, the partnership plays to each side’s strengths. Frederique Constant brings in-house watchmaking and a proven aesthetic language. Time+Tide amplifies the style with bold touches and a clear point of view. As a result, the “Onyx Moon” reads as modern and confident, yet it still honors classic watchmaking cues. It feels like a timely finale for collectors who want a versatile piece with a distinct identity.
Design Highlights: Onyx, Red Accents, No Markers
The dial sets the tone. It is cut from natural onyx stone and polished to a mirror-like sheen. This creates a deep black canvas that shifts with the light and adds immediate drama on the wrist. Notably, there are no hour markers at all. That choice is a first for Frederique Constant and gives the watch a clean, confident face. Even so, legibility remains sound thanks to luminous hands and a neat layout.
Red-printed details supply just the right amount of punch. The “GENÈVE” signature and the 31st on the date track deliver subtle contrast without stealing the show. Meanwhile, a hyper-realistic moonphase appears at six o’clock. It sits within a well-proportioned subdial that complements the broader design. The result is sleek, minimal, and expressive. It reads formal at first glance, yet the personality comes through in the details.
A New Bracelet and Versatile Wear
This Highlife debuts Frederique Constant’s first integrated five-link bracelet. The links add texture and catch the light beautifully. Therefore, the watch leans more dressy than previous Highlife releases, and it pairs naturally with the moonphase. The bracelet integrates seamlessly with the case, and it benefits from the series’ quick-change system. In addition, buyers receive a black rubber strap and a calf strap with nubuck finishing. Switching between sporty, casual, and formal takes seconds.
The stainless-steel case measures 39mm in diameter and 12.79mm in thickness. These dimensions offer solid presence without bulk. Water resistance is rated to 100 meters, which expands daily-wear confidence. Furthermore, the curved profile and polished surfaces create an elegant wrist stance. It looks at home under a cuff yet stands up to weekend use. Altogether, the “Onyx Moon” brings flexibility to a classically themed complication watch.
Manufacture Movement Inside
Powering the watch is the FC-716 Manufacture caliber. For the first time, this automatic movement appears in a Highlife model. It offers hours, minutes, seconds, date, and moonphase. The movement runs at 4 Hz and delivers a 72-hour power reserve. That three-day reserve adds practical convenience, especially for owners who rotate watches during the week.
Through the display caseback, the finishing is on show. Côtes de Genève stripes and perlage underline Frederique Constant’s in-house capability. The layout is efficient, and setting functions remains straightforward via the crown. Moreover, the movement’s proven architecture supports everyday reliability. It gives the elegant dial a technical backbone, and it strengthens the watch’s value proposition within integrated-bracelet offerings.
Price, Availability, and Final Thoughts
The Highlife Moonphase Date Manufacture “Onyx Moon” is limited to 100 pieces. It is available exclusively through Frederique Constant and Time+Tide. The price is $5,695. That figure reflects the in-house movement, the stone dial, the new bracelet, and the included strap set. It also positions the watch competitively among integrated steel pieces with complications.
Overall, the collaboration lands with confidence. It modernizes a classic formula while keeping the Highlife’s easy-wearing DNA. The onyx dial, the red accents, and the first-ever five-link bracelet sharpen the look. Meanwhile, the FC-716 caliber delivers useful autonomy and polished finishing. For collectors seeking a refined, flexible companion with a touch of drama, this limited edition makes a compelling case to close out the year.
