French watch brands

High-quality, technically flawless luxury watches don't always come from Switzerland! French watchmakers also have a lot to offer the cosmopolitan watch fan. This article focuses specifically on French watches—a showcase for renowned watch brands and popular models from France.

The tradition of watchmaking in France

Today , Switzerland is considered the center of the watchmaking world . But that wasn't always the case. Until the 19th century, France was one of the homelands of the most successful manufacturers and enjoyed an excellent reputation as the home of exquisite men's and women's watches. With the exodus of the Huguenots, the French watch industry lost some of its potential and recognition, which is why it has declined in importance compared to the Swiss watch scene.

Nevertheless, a wide variety of high-quality watches are still manufactured in France, with Paris, Besançon, and Charquemont among the most innovative French locations. Even though some renowned brands no longer have their headquarters in France, in many cases their roots go back there.

Famous French watch brands and their history

Reason enough to take a closer look at some of the most important (originally) French watch brands of all time.

Cartier

We'll start with a brand that's still based in Paris today and is a household name for every lover of luxury watches and jewelry: Cartier . The manufacturer, whose factory once produced the "Santos," the world's first pilot's watch, played a key role in establishing men's wristwatches as a mainstream accessory. Cartier has always delighted with its exceptionally design-driven collections, succeeding in captivating both young and more experienced watch wearers.

Breguet

Founded by none other than watchmaking legend Abraham Louis Breguet , the Breguet company was once based in Paris, France. The watch brand, which has existed since 1775, is now based in Switzerland, but even after all these years, its French origins remain unforgotten. For example, the much-visited Breguet Museum is still located in Paris and invites dedicated watch enthusiasts and collectors to delve deep into the history of French watchmaking.

Bell & Ross

Founded in 1992, Bell & Ross represents the younger generation of French watchmakers. With expressive designs and outstanding quality, the brand quickly established itself in the market, with its distinctive style enjoying widespread acclaim. With four oversized numerals, Bell & Ross watches subtly recall cockpit instruments and are highly sought after in the lifestyle segment.

Pequignet

Modern designs, high-quality manufacturing, and a healthy dose of courage: Pequignet combines numerous characteristics of successful watch manufacturers and was founded in 1973, despite the quartz crisis. The brand, based in Morteau and managed by Didier Leibundgut since 2004, has managed to assert itself in the market despite adverse circumstances and today boasts five Golden Dial awards.

Michel Herbelin

Those looking for more affordable watches that still offer functionality, quality, and authentic design will find what they're looking for at Michel Herbelin. Here, too, we're dealing with a French watch brand based in Charquemont that produces high-quality models at a comparatively low price.

Yema

Whether during North Pole exploration, on orbital flight missions, or during the Proxima space mission: Yema watches were part of all these events. Since its founding in 1948, this top French brand has repeatedly made a name for itself in connection with historical events, which has certainly contributed to its current popularity. The manufacturer's product range includes, for example, an exclusive collection for motorsports fans, but Yema also offers yacht watches and models with a "space theme."

Baltic

Founded in 2016, Baltic is a genuine newcomer that has made a significant contribution to the French watchmaking landscape. At first glance, the newcomer stands out from the competition, among other things, due to its price point. By using Chinese movements and other components from subcontractors, this manufacturer is able to offer watches with coveted complications and luxurious design at a surprisingly low price. An approach that is clearly generating considerable interest.

Elegance and style: French watches as fashion accessories

Even though French watches no longer enjoy as much attention today as they once did many years ago, they are by no means insignificant. Connoisseurs know that men's and women's watches from France have a lot to offer in many respects.

With their commitment, one or two world-famous collections, and great effort over the years, various brands have ensured that France has once again firmly established itself among the countries with a successful watch industry - even if not in the position of the leader.

Watches "Made in France" bring a touch of French "joie de vivre" to the wrist and can often keep up with their Swiss counterparts in terms of quality and functionality. What began with the Huguenots continues today in the form of many new ideas and approaches combined with the tradition of French watchmaking, resulting in innovative models that conquer the world from Paris, Morteau, and other locations with plenty of elegance and style.

Famous French watch models

Having already talked in detail about French watch brands, we now go into detail and take a look at three extremely sought-after watches from France.

Cartier Santos

The aforementioned Cartier Santos is a watch that made huge waves. While the market had previously been dominated by women's watches as pure fashion accessories, the Santos established the watch as an everyday companion for men—a turning point. A well-shaped, octagonal case, Roman numerals, and clean lines give this special model a charming vintage flair that is rarely found in this particular style.

Bell & Ross BR 05

Featuring a square case, the brand's signature oversized numerals, and a date display at the 3 o'clock position, the watches from the BR 05 collection from Bell & Ross are incredibly versatile and leave little to be desired in terms of aesthetics. Anyone who enjoys technically advanced timepieces whose high functionality is immediately apparent will certainly find their money's worth with a BR 05.

Breguet Tradition

The watches in the Breguet Tradition series were designed as a tribute to the founder's early works, expressing both the company's past and its new vision. This French watch series naturally features the famous Breguet hand and hairspring. Fascinatingly, they reveal large sections of the movement and immediately catch the eye with their exceptional appearance.

Buying a French watch: tips and recommendations

If you want to own a French watch, it's absolutely a good idea to first familiarize yourself with French watch manufacturers, look at different brands, and browse through the collections from Paris, Morteau, and others. This will give you a first insight and perhaps even identify your first personal favorites.

If you decide to buy a top-of-the-line watch from France, it's often a significant investment. Therefore, it's advisable to take your time to make the best purchase decision and, if necessary, seek professional advice. Ultimately, your new watch should fulfill your expectations 100% – and finding such a suitable model can definitely be easier with the right support.

Anyone looking for a new watch from France online should also make sure they're buying from a reputable seller. Unfortunately, scammers often try to sell fake watches. Therefore, we recommend carefully examining each source, verifying the authenticity of expensive watches, and buying from trusted, experienced dealers.

Conclusion

French watches may no longer enjoy the prestige they enjoyed until the 19th century, but they are definitely still of great interest to investors and collectors. Many major watch brands, such as Cartier, Yema, and Pequignet, still have headquarters in France today, ensuring that watches "made in France" will probably never go out of style with their superior quality, exciting innovations, and diverse designs.