Highlife

Launch and lineup

The modern Highlife collection debuted in 2020 and continued into 2021. The brand lists the collection as a men's and ladies' range. This guide covers the two Highlife calibers, which both appeared in 41 mm launch cases.

The Highlife Heart Beat carries the FC-310, and the Highlife Automatic COSC carries the FC-303. The integrated bracelet can be exchanged with the built-in release system, and the original models included an additional rubber strap, which makes the watch more adaptable from the start.

The two versions read differently on the wrist. The Heart Beat's dial has a globe-pattern texture and the balance is visible through the opening, while the COSC keeps a cleaner dial with a date. Those choices are largely about taste, but they change what you see each time you look at the watch.

Because the two versions share a family look, compare the reference on the caseback with the dial and the bracelet, rather than assuming the parts belong together. That is the simplest way to catch a listing that mixes a Heart Beat's bracelet with a COSC's dial, or the reverse.

The FC-310 and FC-303 calibers

The FC-310 runs at 28,800 vibrations an hour with a power reserve of about 38 hours. The FC-303 COSC is listed with the same 38-hour reserve and carries chronometer certification. Both are Sellita SW200-based according to the brand's technical information, which means a shop that knows the SW200 family can handle most of the service work.

The brand publishes a tolerance of minus 4 to plus 22 seconds a day for the FC-310 and minus 4 to plus 10 for the FC-303. Those figures differ, so use the one that matches the reference you have when you judge a rate after service.

The Heart Beat's open dial adds a step to the job. The watchmaker has to protect the dial and the balance area during the work, and check that the aperture's frame and dial sit correctly when the watch is reassembled.

Heart Beat and COSC: what to check at service

On the Heart Beat, the balance wheel is visible, so part of the service is a look at the balance itself. Ask the shop to check the balance for free movement and to confirm that the escapement runs cleanly before the case goes back on.

Ask for the dial and the aperture to be checked for dust and for any sign of moisture under the crystal before the case is closed. The open design gives a clear view of the balance, and it is also the first place to look for a problem that began after a knock or a seal failure.

The COSC carries chronometer certification, but a service can't keep the watch inside its figures if the seals or parts aren't right. Ask for the rate on the bench, before and after the work, and compare it with the figure for the FC-303.

Water-resistance ratings differ between versions of the collection, so check the rating printed on the watch's papers or caseback against the current listing. Pressure test the watch after any bracelet or crystal work.

Buying a pre-owned Highlife

Confirm the reference before anything else. The blue steel-bracelet Heart Beat is the FC-310N4NH6B, and the black version is the FC-310B4NH6B. A listing that says only Highlife Heart Beat, with no reference, leaves you guessing about the caliber, bracelet and finish.

Check the bracelet. The integrated design can be exchanged with the release system, so ask whether the links and clasp are original. Worn end links and a replacement clasp change the fit and the value, so ask for photos of the clasp and end links.

A steel bracelet also carries the wear of daily use, so ask the seller how the watch has been worn and whether the clasp still locks securely with no extra give. A loose clasp points to fit problems or wear, and it is worth pricing into the offer.

Check the caliber and the paperwork. A COSC Highlife should come with a certificate that matches the reference and serial number. A Heart Beat should show a clean aperture with the balance moving freely. If the seller can't show a rate, ask for one from an independent before you pay.

Choosing a specialist for a Highlife

For a Sellita-based Highlife, look for a watchmaker who services SW200-family calibers and can give a rate reading before and after the work. Ask whether the shop has worked on open-dial pieces before, since the aperture changes how the work is done.

Ask whether the shop has experience with bracelet removal tools and how it will protect the finish of the steel links during fitting. A careful job keeps the finish intact, and the bracelet is often the first part a buyer looks at.

Ask for a written estimate that separates movement, bracelet and case work. Ask for the bracelet work as its own line, so you can see its cost on a steel watch.

For a warranty repair, use an authorized service center. For out-of-warranty work, an independent is a reasonable choice. A local watchmaker can handle a strap change or a simple bracelet fit.

What to check on a Highlife

• Experience with Sellita SW200-family calibers
• Rate readings before and after service, measured against the brand's figures
• Care with the open dial of the Heart Beat during reassembly
• Bracelet and clasp work quoted as a separate line

Common questions