Made in France
I was wearing one of my French Made Depancel watches earlier today, but an earlier than expected delivery meant another French watch has made its way onto my wrist before days end.
Today's debut is from little known brand Herbelin. It comes in a 39mm case, 10.35mm thickness, SW200-1 movement, WR100 on an integrated FKM strap.
I fell hard for this the first time I laid eyes on it and it's even better in person.
I realised that my last 2 purchases were for French watches, (the other won't get a debut until closer to xmas) but something seems to be drawing me into the French watchmaking scene of late. There definitely seems to be a resurgence in French watchmaking with some great Micro brands around.
So here's my new Herbelin - Cap Camarat Square Automatique.
Now let's see what everyone else is rocking from La République. I know they're out there.
My journey to becoming an avid watch fan and later collector started waaaay back when I got a little toy watch for my 4th birthday. That little blue watch (see profile pic) is where it all started and...
I have a Yema Rallygraph.
I need a Yema Rallygraph😉
I don't own any at the moment but I have gifted this lovely LIP T18 with blued hands and indices this year.
I have a Yema Rallygraph.
Nice, I was very close to pulling the trigger on the Yema x Alpine Rallygraf but I might put that on next years wish list now instead. I definitely see a Yema in my future.
I need a Yema Rallygraph😉
That makes 2 of us 🤝
I don't own any at the moment but I have gifted this lovely LIP T18 with blued hands and indices this year.
Looks like that had a very nice detailed dial. Great case shape!
herbelin is very underated brand which caught my eye. they give us too and affordable version of iwc ingenieur
herbelin is very underated brand which caught my eye. they give us too and affordable version of iwc ingenieur
Yeah that's a nice one too (also a Cap Camarat) and much more affordable than the IWC. They don't skimp on the details either as the screws align with the indices perfectly which I really like. Their Newport line of watches are very nice too. Most certainly a brand that flies under the radar.
I am digging the GMT/world timer. Specs look good.
I am digging the GMT/world timer. Specs look good.
You had me at GMT 😍
I am currently wearing my Baltic MR01 salmon dial and I love it
I don't think this was made in France, but my understanding is they were marketed there by Timex:
My two french beauties
Lip Himalaya
Wolbrook Skindiver
I don't think this was made in France, but my understanding is they were marketed there by Timex:
Thanks for sharing. I wasn't aware of Kelton's history, so had to look them up.
Wife herbeline. 😊
My Wolbrook World Time Skindiver has been getting plenty of time on the wrist as of late.
French brand, swiss made for me 🙌 my 4512
Like the beads of rice on the French Wolbrook! Enjoying my skin diver.
Great combination and I love how that green bezel looks under the sunlight. It’s a stunner 😍
Wolbrook/Douglas Skindiver II.
Destro, shock resistant, Countdown bezel, regulated movement, acrylic crystal, internal Cyclops.
Heckuva lot of watch for the price! 👌🏻🤘🏻🤙🏻
I love destro watches. I was actually checking this one out a few days ago. Very nice 🎯
I have a Lip
There’s a few more LIP watches around than I was expecting. I love rectangular watches and this one’s a beauty!
I just ordered a Michel Herbelin watch Art Deco hand wind limited edition cant wait to get it
That’s awesome! Can’t wait to see you wearing it. If I hadn’t purchased the square I could have been tempted by this 😍
Picked up this Merci x Hodinkee when in Paris last year. I look forward to seeing Depancel in person at Windup NYC next month.
I haven’t seen this before. Very nice!
Good to hear Depancel is making the trip over. I’ve got two in my collection and really like them.
I agree. The french have a great sense for design.
I haven’t had the pleasure of trying a Baltic as yet but everyone who wears them seems to rave about them. Very nice!
I haven’t had the pleasure of trying a Baltic as yet but everyone who wears them seems to rave about them. Very nice!
I was a little bit sceptic at first, but than I got infected by that too
That’s awesome! Can’t wait to see you wearing it. If I hadn’t purchased the square I could have been tempted by this 😍
Thanks will post my thoughts promise
French brand, swiss made for me 🙌 my 4512
Serica is a brand I really like but haven't taken the plunge on as yet. As far as field watches go the specs on this are right up there. Looks great on that strap too.
Yema is one of my favorite brands. I love their watches. I have a few. The Rallygraf x Alpine is on preorder so I don’t have a pic of it just yet
As far as other French watches go — these are on my radar.
Serica is a brand I really like but haven't taken the plunge on as yet. As far as field watches go the specs on this are right up there. Looks great on that strap too.
I was looking at the Serica 8315 GMT, but opted for the Yema Navygraf GMT instead
One steel & bronze Kickstarter Yema Superman
One bronze and red Yema Superman
And finally, one Yema Wristmaster
Contrary to second hand opinions and hearsay (always a good an reliable source of information) none of my Yema are problematic and the one time I had to deal with their service made me feel that perhaps other better known brands could learn from Yema on how to manage expectations and expedite repairs.
Two entries, both interesting.
Yema Navygraf
1r Classe - a gift from my daughter when she was deployed in the Middle East. A fashion brand, made in France