“Exploring France: Unveiling a World Beyond Swiss Timepieces!”

A week ago, we discussed some of the finest timepieces emerging from the Netherlands simply because both our founder Frank and I have Dutch roots. Nevertheless, a portion of our team hails from France, which is why I thought it would be enjoyable to explore French timepieces this time! When mentioning French watchmaking, the likes of Breguet, Cartier, Hermès, and Louis Vuitton come to mind immediately. However, since the timepieces from these four brands (and many others that I can think of) are crafted in Switzerland and marked as Swiss Made, I aimed to focus on watches manufactured in France. At least for the most part. The outcome is once again an unexpected blend of whimsical and inventive watches!

Depancel allure automatic chronograph

Depancel is a relatively new label from France, inspired by the legendary French automotive manufacturers Delage, Panhard, and Facel Vega. Consequently, automotive influence is guaranteed in nearly every timepiece produced in their Annecy workshop. The Allure Automatic Chronograph is a prime illustration of this and stands at the pinnacle of the brand’s collection. This substantial automatic chronograph features a 43mm diameter, a silver-white Panda-style dial, orange accents, and a fixed tachymeter bezel. A blue variant is also available. In both cases, the power source is a Sellita SW510 cam-operated chronograph movement. Fitted with leather, it is priced at EUR 2,400.

For additional details, please visit Depancel.com.

Quick Facts – 43mm x 15mm – stainless steel case, brushed & polished – fixed tachymeter bezel – mushroom pushers with octagonal crown – sapphire crystal front & back – 100m water-resistant – Panda-like dial – orange accents & hands – Sellita SW510, automatic chronograph – cam-lever operated – 28,800vph – 62h power reserve – blue, black, or brown padded leather strap – pin or deployment buckle – non-limited – EUR 2,400

Baltic hermétique tourer bronze

With the Hermétique Tourer Bronze, Baltic presents a deliciously warm twist on its intriguing and budget-friendly field watch. Established by Etienne Malec merely eight years ago, the French brand has a talent for creating discerning designs at accessible prices. The Hermétique Tourer Bronze features a snug 38mm bronze case with a gradient blue, brown, or green dial. Concealed beneath the solid caseback is a Mioyta 9039 automatic movement, as Baltic does not hesitate to utilize readily accessible and therefore affordable Asian movements. The Tropic-style FKM rubber strap complements the dial colors. Offered at EUR 600, there’s little reason for complaints with this one!

For further information, please visit Baltic-Watches.com.

Quick Facts – 37mm x 10.8mm – bronze case, brushed & polished – sapphire crystal, solid steel caseback – 150m water-resistant – gradient blue, brown or green dial – 3D luminous markers & Super-LumiNova filled hands – Miyota 9039, automatic – 28,800vph – 42h power reserve – hours, minutes, seconds (hacking) – dial-matching Tropic-style FKM rubber strap.strap with pin buckle – non-limited editions – EUR 600

Yema wristmaster slim cmm.20

Situated in Morteau, France, Yema is chiefly recognized for its historically significant Superman dive watch series. Lately, the brand has committed itself to restoring French horology to its past magnificence with in-house designed and assembled mechanisms. The latest initiative is the Wristmaster Slim CMM.20, driven by a micro-rotor automatic movement crafted internally in collaboration with Olivier Mory. This timepiece boasts a slender 9mm thickness and a 39mm diameter, equipped with a stamped dial available in yellow, blue, or sandy-grey hues. The integrated steel bracelet enhances its contemporary appeal, and the collection is priced at EUR 2,249.

For additional details, please visit Yema.com.

Quick Facts – 39mm x 9mm – stainless steel case – distinctive notched bezel – sapphire crystal front & back – 100m water-resistant – stamped grooved dial in yellow, blue or sandy-grey – applied markers & hands with SLN – calibre CMM.20, developed and assembled in-house – micro-rotor automatic – 28,800vph – 70h power reserve – integrated steel bracelet with fine-adjustment clasp – non-limited editions – EUR 2,249

March LA.b am2 GMT grall edition

March LA.B has established a solid reputation through various aspects: primarily, the enduring presence of green in its timepieces, and secondly, its unconventional yet captivating case designs. The somewhat square-ish (or rather octagonal) shape is accentuated with the crown position at 4′, as illustrated in this AM2 GMT Grall Edition. Influences stem from the realms of surfing, eyewear, and Schwinn bicycles. The AM2 GMT features a textured green dial showcasing a two-tone 24h track along with a green arrow-tipped GMT hand. Powered by a La Joux-Perret G110 automatic movement, it is offered at USD 1,850 on a black silicone strap or USD 2,045 on a stainless steel bracelet.

For further information, please visit March-LAB.com.

Quick Facts – 39mm x 12.5mm – stainless steel case, brushed & polished – sapphire crystal with tinted back crystal – screw-down crown at 4′- 100m water resistance – green textured dial – two-tone 24h scale – markers & hands with SLN – green arrow-tipped GMT hand – La Joux-Perret G110, automatic – 28,800vph – 68h power reserve – 3-link stainless steel bracelet or black silicone strap – USD 1,850 (silicone strap) or USD 2,045 (steel bracelet)

Trilobe les matinaux l’heure exquise

Trilobe’s distinctive approach to timekeeping through continually rotating discs originates from the imagination of founder Gautier Massonneau. Eliminating traditional hands opens up inventive possibilities in design, highlighted by this Les Matinaux L’Heure Exquise. The hours and minutes are represented on familiar discs. However, the moon phase display is coaxially associated with the seconds wheel, rotating counterclockwise in sync with the passing seconds, a feat made possible by the proprietary calibre X-centric micro-rotor automatic. This Dune model in titanium is priced at EUR 14,500, whereas the rose gold and blue variant is available for EUR 26,500.

For additional details, kindly visit Trilobe.com.

Quick Facts – 40.5mm or 38mm x 9.2mm – titanium or rose gold casing – sapphire crystal front & back – 50m water resistance – sandblasted blue or dune beige dial – rotating hour & minute rings – double moon phase indication coaxially linked to the seconds wheel – calibre X-centric, proprietary – automatic micro-rotor movement – 28,800vph – 48h power reserve – alligator leather strap with case-matching pin buckle – EUR 14,500 (titanium) or EUR 26,500 (rose gold)

montre Lefrançois automatique no.1

On the more artisanal front, the seasoned French horologist Simon Lefrançois has established his workshop in Morbihan, France, following 25 years in the Swiss watch sector. His inaugural timepiece is the Automatique No.1, which utilizes an ETA 2892-A2. Although the movement may be standard, the 38mm casing, dial, and hands certainly are not. The distinct construction is crafted by hand by Simon himself, featuring unique screwed lugs, prominent circular hour indicators at every third hour, and hands that complement the design. Each piece is custom-made, with textures and hues for the dial, markers, and hands available for personalization. Only 20 units will be produced, with pricing available upon inquiry.

For further information, please check @Montre_Lefrancois on Instagram.

Quick Facts – 38mm x 7.4mm – stainless steel casing, crafted in-house – handcrafted screwed lugs, crown, etc. – sapphire crystal front, solid steel caseback – in-house dial, markers & hands – only hours & minutes – unaltered ETA 2892-A2 automatic – 28,800vph – 42 hours – 21 jewels – leather strap of your preference with steel pin buckle – made to order – customized options available upon request – limited to 20 pieces – price available upon inquiry