Watch Olympics: Team France
Which three watch brands best represent France in ALL areas of watchmaking?
Let's say that all the watchmaking countries come together to participate in the Watchlympics. Three companies are chosen for each country and compete against one another, judged on three general areas:
Heritage & History: The stories behind the brand, the watches, or the people that wore them and when
Design & Craftsmanship: The beauty of the brand's design philosophies, or their commitment to creating the best movements imaginable
Versatility & Affordability: The 'value for money', adaptability; The watch/brand that can do it all - At least, as much as possible from the price point
Which three (3) French brands would you nominate to compete? Comment below.
If it were me:
Cartier - Only the most iconic French brand in history, the heritage backing the Cartier brand is nothing short of legendary, with the design and engineering chops to back it up
Alain Silberstein- While not active as a watch brand anymore, the designs do live on in collaborations which stand as a testament to the most painstakingly detailed yet hilariously goofy design
Baltic - From Kickstarter to global success, Baltic’s design chops at an affordable price has only allowed them to move from strength to strength
I am not Gerald Genta. I like to draw watch ideas. They usually suck. #defsnotgenta for more.
Cartier
Wolbrook (the Worldtimer, the other, other, other space watch)
Yema
The glory days of French watchmaking, like English watchmaking, are long gone. From the past I offer:
LIP in its original Besançon incarnation, not the modern relaunch
A real powerhouse. Technically innovative (first electronic watch with a diode, first French quartz watch) and with many original designs. Charles de Gaulle, Dwight D. Eisenhower and Winston Churchill all owned LIPs. They developed an aviation watch for the legendary aviator Jean Mermoz, who created the first service across the South Atlantic and famously disappeared in 1936 piloting the Croix du Sud.
I’ll take Cartier, Yema and Baltic.
My three would be Maison Dodane, Yema, and L.Leroy
Cartier because Cartier
Yema for the vintage flair
Baltic for their beautiful and affordable designs
Breguet
Cartier
Serica
The glory days of French watchmaking, like English watchmaking, are long gone. From the past I offer:
LIP in its original Besançon incarnation, not the modern relaunch
A real powerhouse. Technically innovative (first electronic watch with a diode, first French quartz watch) and with many original designs. Charles de Gaulle, Dwight D. Eisenhower and Winston Churchill all owned LIPs. They developed an aviation watch for the legendary aviator Jean Mermoz, who created the first service across the South Atlantic and famously disappeared in 1936 piloting the Croix du Sud.
The requirement is that the brand has to have been founded (“born”) in the country of Origin.
For example, Abraham-Louis Breguet was Swiss-born, but the brandBreguet was founded in Paris.
The requirement is that the brand has to have been founded (“born”) in the country of Origin.
For example, Abraham-Louis Breguet was Swiss-born, but the brandBreguet was founded in Paris.
LIP has always been French. It was founded in Besançon in 1867 by Emanuel Lipmann who was born in France (Neuf Brisach) in 1844.