Drawing from our editorial team’s varied French heritage, we’re excited to take you into the captivating realm of French watchmaking.
Just recently, we celebrated the craftsmanship of timepieces from the Netherlands—reflecting the Dutch backgrounds of both our founder Frank and myself.
Now, let’s shift gears to uncover the remarkable watches emerging from France.
French Horology Beyond the Labels
When you think of French horology, names like Breguet, Cartier, Hermès, and Louis Vuitton likely pop into your head.
Yet, it’s important to note that much of their production happens in Switzerland, resulting in those coveted “Swiss Made” labels.
Today, we’re shining a light on timepieces that genuinely embody French artistry and character.
Our selection promises a rich tapestry of innovative and artistic designs that captures the essence of French watchmaking.
Featured Timepieces
One of the newer players in the French watch scene, Depancel draws inspiration from the illustrious automotive history of France—think Delage, Panhard, and Facel Vega.
The Allure Automatic Chronograph is a true testament to this influence, featuring a striking 43mm case, a silvery-white Panda-style dial with eye-catching orange highlights, and a fixed tachymeter bezel.
Additionally, a blue variant is available.
Both versions are driven by the Sellita SW510 chronograph movement and come with a stylish leather strap, retailing for EUR 2,400.
Baltic reinterprets the classic field watch with its inviting Hermétique Tourer Bronze.
Founded just eight years ago by Etienne Malec, this brand has quickly become known for delivering stylish yet affordable watches.
The Hermétique Tourer Bronze is elegantly compact, featuring a 38mm bronze case and a gradient dial offered in blue, brown, or green.
Inside, an efficient Miyota 9039 automatic movement rests beneath a solid caseback.
With a price of EUR 600, this piece offers remarkable value for watch aficionados.
Yema, a storied name from Morteau, France, is famed for its Superman dive watch series.
The Wristmaster Slim CMM.20 adds to their impressive lineup, featuring an in-house developed micro-rotor automatic movement crafted by Olivier Mory.
This sleek timepiece distinguishes itself with a thickness of just 9mm and a diameter of 39mm, along with a stamped dial available in vibrant yellow, blue, or a sandy-grey finish.
You can own this exquisite piece for EUR 2,249.
A Blend of Artistry and Craftsmanship
March LA.B has made waves with their signature green accents and eye-catching case designs.
The AM2 GMT Grall Edition impresses with a textured green dial, a sophisticated two-tone 24-hour track, and a green arrow-tipped GMT hand.
Powered by the La Joux-Perret G110 automatic movement, this model retails for USD 1,850 with a black silicone strap, while the stainless steel bracelet version goes for USD 2,045.
Trilobe takes a bold and imaginative approach to timekeeping through the use of revolving discs, a vision brought to life by founder Gautier Massonneau.
The Les Matinaux L’Heure Exquise showcases time via intuitive discs, while the moon phase is indicated counterclockwise to synchronize with the second hand’s motion, all powered by their proprietary calibre X-centric micro-rotor automatic movement.
This titanium Dune edition is set at EUR 14,500, whereas the rose gold and blue variant comes in at EUR 26,500.
Crafting a niche in artisanal expertise, Simon Lefrançois has opted for a bespoke approach in his workshop located in Morbihan, France.
With a solid 25 years of experience in the Swiss watch industry, his first creation, the Automatique No.1, is driven by the reliable ETA 2892-A2 movement.
Each watch is tailor-made to order, allowing customers to select their preferred textures and colors.
Limited to just 20 pieces, interested buyers should reach out for pricing details.
In conclusion, our exploration of French watchmaking reveals a vibrant blend of creativity and tradition.
The timepieces highlighted here not only showcase exquisite craftsmanship but also tell stories that resonate with their rich cultural origins.
Source: Monochrome-watches.com