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If you’re looking for French watch brands to add to your collection, then this post is for you. In this post, I put together a list of the most popular French watch brands, from luxury and prestigious to affordable and modern. No matter your taste, you certainly find the perfect french watch for you in this list.
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When it comes to watches, the Swiss are often considered to be the masters of the trade. However, few people know that French watchmakers have a long and storied history in the industry – and that their watches are just as elegant and stylish as anything made by their Swiss counterparts.
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at 16 of the best French watch brands you need to know about. From Breguet and Cartier to Merci and Lip. These brands represent some of the finest craftsmanship and design that France has to offer. So if you’re looking for an exquisite timepiece with a touch of French flair, these are the brands you need to check out!
Place Dauphine: The birthplace of French watchmaking
The French have a long and proud history of watchmaking that stretches back to before the French Revolution. Some of the earliest pioneers of French watchmaking were Ferdinand Berthoud, Jean-Antoine Lépine, and Abraham-Louis Breguet.
If you are a watch enthusiast, you surely heard some of these names already. Anyway, back in the late 18th century, the three of them used to have their workshops on Place Dauphine, on the western tip of the Île de la Cité. It is an island in the River Seine, in the very center of Paris.
The French Revolution that happened in the late 18th century put a halt to the sales of luxury goods in France. As a result, many French watchmakers relocated to Switzerland, where they could continue their trade unhindered.
However, French watchmaking continued to evolve and innovate, thanks in part to Lépine’s invention of the lever escapement – a key piece of watchmaking technology that allowed watches to be much thinner. A milestone in the watch-making industry and a feature that paved the way for Elegance. And this, we all know, is something the French are renowned for.
Hence, it’s not surprising that Breguet adopted this new, thin style quickly, creating some of the most fashionable watches of his day. His business survived the French Revolution and is still going strong today.
As is the innovation of Lépine. His invention is still used today.
The 16 Best French Watch Brands Today
So if you are keen on adding a French watch brand to your collection, which brands should you look at? Here are 16 of the most renowned French watch brands that create exquisite timepieces that are sure to impress.
I am starting this list with French Luxury watch brands. If you are looking for more affordable French watch brands, scroll down, they have their own section.
#1 Pequignet
The independent French luxury watch brand Pequignet was founded in 1974. All of their watches are designed and assembled in their workshop in Morteau, in the French Jura Mountains. This region is the historic watch-making region, along the Swiss border.
The brand Pequignet stands for elegance and innovation. They created their own mechanical movement, the Calibre Royal. A movement that integrates all complications on a single main plate.
Pequignet watches are truly works of art and craftsmanship, and they offer a wide range of styles to suit any taste.
#2 Breguet
As we mentioned before, Breguet is one of the oldest French watch brands. It was founded in 1775 by Abraham-Louis Breguet, and it remains one of the most prestigious and renowned watch brands in the world.
Breguet is perhaps best known for its Tourbillon technology, which balances the effects of gravity on a watch’s movement, making it more accurate. This technology was invented by Breguet himself, and it is still used in many high-end watches today.
Breguet also has a long association with the French Royal Family. In fact, Marie Antoinette herself was a fan of Breguet watches!
If you’re looking for a French watch that is truly unique and exquisite, Breguet is definitely a brand you need to check out.
#3 Cartier
Cartier is another French luxury brand that needs no introduction. Founded in 1847, Cartier is best known for its jewelry and watches.
Cartier has a long history of creating some of the most beautiful and iconic timepieces in the world. Their watches are renowned for their elegance and sophistication, and they have been worn by some of the most famous people in the world, including royalty, Hollywood stars, and even astronauts!
The most iconic Cartier Watch: The Santos de Cartier:
One of the most famous wristwatches of this French Watch brand is the Cartier Santos. It was designed in 1904 for the Brazilian pilot Alberto Santos-Dumont, who was a close friend of Louis Cartier. The legend goes that he complained to Cartier about how difficult it was to check the time while flying, so Cartier designed a wristwatch that would be easy to read while in the air.
You can buy the Santos De Cartier until today, and they are one of the most iconic models of this French watch brand. Cartier is as well very popular if you are looking for vintage French watch brands.
#4 Dodane
Dodane is a French watch brand with a long history. It was founded in 1857 by the Dodane family, and it is still run by the Dodane family today. The french watch manufacturers are specialized in military and aviator watches, and they have been supplying watches to the French Military since 1950.
Dodane is perhaps best known for its Type 21 chronograph, which was used by the French Air Force in the 1960s and 1970s. The Dodane Type 21 is now a highly sought-after vintage watch, and it is considered to be one of the best military watches ever made.
If you’re looking for a French watch with a strong military heritage, Dodane is definitely a brand you should check out.
16 French watch brands you need to know
#5 L.Leroy
This French watch brand is one of the oldest manufacturers in France. The history of this house goes back to 1747. To the Age of Enlightenment and to an era, when clock-making was royal craftsmanship.
The French brand L. Leroy is specialized in the production of high-quality skeleton watches. All their watches are entirely handmade in their workshop in Besançon, France.
L. Leroy skeleton watches are true works of art, and they are some of the most beautiful and intricate timepieces you will ever see.
But they also have more discrete lines, for example, the Osmior range.
#6 Michel Herbelin
Like many other French Watch Brands, Michel Herbelin has its roots in the French Jura region, near the Swiss border. It was founded in 1947 by Michel Herbelin, and it is still run by the Herbelin family today. They are one of the top french watch brands.
All watches are assembled manually in their workshop in Charquemont, France. The most iconic model of Michel Herbelin is the Newport Watch. This line is inspired by the potholes of transatlantic sailing ships and has a unique and instantly recognizable design.
Michel Herbelin is definitely a French watch brand that is worth checking out if you’re looking for something different, sporty, and unique.
#7 BALTIC
This French watch brand comes with a strong history. The founder of BALTIC, Etienne Malec, inherited a watch collection from his father. Including a journal with details about each watch that passed through his hand. The passion for watches of his father evoke his passion and he created BALTIC. He chose the name as a homage to his father’s origins, the Baltic coast in Poland.
Today, BALTIC created timeless watches that are inspired by the vintage collection of Malec’s father. They use high-quality materials and each watch is assembled in their workshop in Besançon, France.
If you’re looking for a French watch brand with a strong connection to its history, BALTIC is definitely worth checking out.
#8 YEMA
This French watch brand was founded in 1948 by Henry Louis Belmont. YEMA is especially known for its watches for divers and sailors. In 1970, YEMA even became the official supplier for the French Sailing Federation.
If you are wondering what’s the most iconic model of YEMA, it’s certainly the Superman line. These dive watches were first introduced in 1963. The Superman is a highly collectible vintage watch, and it is still popular today. While you might not get your chance to own one of the rare vintages, you can order recent models easily online.
Fun Fact: YEMA was the first French watch in space, worn by French astronaut Jean-Loup Chrétien in 1982.
#9 Bell & Ross
Bell & Ross is one of the newer luxury French watch brands and was founded only in 1992. The name refers to its two founders and French watch designers, Bruno Belamich (Bell) and Carlos A. Rosillo (Ross), two lifelong friends.
Bell & Ross is especially known for its iconic Aviation collection. The design of these watches was inspired by the instrument panels of aircraft cockpits and the military. They are thought out to be a tool, not only chic accessories.
The unique design of the watches from Bell & Ross
The most iconic model of Bell & Ross is definitely the BR-01, with its square case and highly legible dial. While the BR-01 is certainly their most famous model, Bell & Ross also has a wide range of other collections with very different designs.
#10 Alain Silberstein
Alain Silberstein is one of the most unique French watch brands. The designs of his watches are very bold, colorful, and often asymmetrical. They are certainly not for everyone, but if you’re looking for something different, Alain Silberstein might be the right brand for you. His watches are a piece of art, often inspired by the Bauhaus style.
The founder, Alain Silberstein established his brand in 1990 in the French watchmaking town of Besançon. Before becoming a watchmaker, he was an interior designer and decorator, a history that is well visible in his watch creations.
#11 BRM
The chronographs from the French watch brand BRM are undoubtedly something special. The design is very racing-inspired, resembling an engine or and contain their patented anti shock. Principle. The company was founded by Bernard Richards in 2003, whose initials BRM stand for. The M is for Manufacture.
The workshop of BRM is in the Vexin region, not far from Paris.
Affordable French Watch Brands
If luxury French Watch Brands are out of your price range, don’t worry! There are also some great French watch brands that offer high-quality timepieces at more affordable prices.
Here are some of the best French watch brands you can buy on a budget:
#12 Yonger & Bresson
The brand Yonger & Bresson is one of the newer French Watch Brands. It was founded in 1975 by 2 brothers, who were called neither Yonger nor Bresson.
Yonger stands simply for “young” while Bresson has an interesting backstory. They borrowed the name Bresson from the renowned French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson, known for street photography and Magnum Photos. So, the combination Young and Bresson signifies an artsy and modern vibe, combined with French craftsmanship.
This French watch brand offers a wide range of different timepieces for both men and women. They have everything from simple and elegant dress watches to more sporty and casual watches. Their headquarter is located in the French watch making center Morteau, but you find their
You can find Yonger & Bresson watches for as little as €120.
#13 Merci
This Parisian Brand has not only watches in its product line, but also clothes, home decor, lifestyle items, and many more. Their flagship store in the Marais is one of the most fashionable stores in Paris and an institution when it comes to shopping.
Their watches are having a very minimalistic design and are perfect for everyday use. You can find both men’s and women’s watches at Merci, starting at around €250.
If you are looking for a French watch brand that is somewhat affordable and makes an excellent souvenir from Paris, definitely stop by their store in 111 Boulevard Beaumarchais in the Marais.
#14 Fugue
This French watch brand is one of the most recent brands in the industry. Founded only in 2017, Fugue creates minimalistic watches with a vintage aesthetic. The brand’s name means “escape” in French, a reference to celebrating the beauty of the moment.
The innovative aspect of the watches made by Fugue is modularity. You can not only exchange the strap, you can even pick a case and customize your watch according to your tastes and moods.
# 15 Charlie – Paris
If you dream of luxury watches but can’t afford them, the independent French watch brand Charlie-Paris might be a great option for you. They make high-quality watches inspired by vintage designs but at a fraction of the price of luxury brands.
The French watch brand was founded in 2014 by two friends with a passion for watchmaking. If you want to take a look, browse their online store or visit them in their store on 53. Rue Saint André des Arts in the 6th Arrondissment in Paris.
Prices for a watch from Charlie-Paris start at €145
#16 Maison LIP
The Maison Lip was founded by Emmanuel Lipmann in 1867 and stands for French Quality at an affordable price. The watches are produces – like most French watches – in Besançon and you can choose from many models and styles.
The most popular lines of the LIP brand are the Himalaya and Nautic Sky range. For an extra French touch, you can equip your watch with a French Tricolor strap.
Voilà. The best French watch brands that every watch enthusiast and collector should have on their radar. French watches are not only beautiful but also very innovative, with a great mix of French design and Swiss craftsmanship. A must if you love watches or are looking for a quality gift for a loved one or even a souvenir from Paris.
PS: Check out these posts, they will help you plan your trip to Paris
