The Most Beloved Luxury Watches in France

It may not surprise you to learn that the country famous for The Louvre, the Eiffel Tower and its cheese and wine, is also very keen on luxury watches. Whilst perusing the beautiful boutique windows, you’re likely to see many leading luxury watch brands. Such examples include Omega, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet and Rolex to name just a few. France has enjoyed a long and rich history in Haute Horlogerie and although it will never match the reputation that its Swiss neighbour upholds, there is much to appreciate about the beautiful country and its passion for style and opulence.

France and its links to watchmaking

There are several significant watchmakers and clockmakers associated with French watchmaking. Jean-Antoine Lépine, born in the 18th century is one example. Abraham-Louis Breguet is another. During this time, the French Revolution halted the production of luxury watchmaking in France. Sadly, the country never regained its prominence in horology, but brands like Cartier continue to uphold its important links to such a niche and specialist trade. With close links to Switzerland during its heyday in watch manufacture, the city of Besançon borders the heart of Swiss watchmaking, the Vallee de Joux itself.

So, if you’re planning to visit France or just want to know what the hottest timepieces are at the moment, this guide created by us here at Watches World should provide you with everything you need to know. Let’s get started!

Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional Reference: 310.30.42.50.01.002

The Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional is a true collectible. What makes the appeal of the Speedmaster Moonwatch even stronger is the fact that the design has barely changed since becoming the first timepiece to land on the moon in 1969. This Speedy watch goes by the reference 310.30.42.50.01.002 and is similar to the 210.30.42.20.01.001 reference in Omega’s current catalogue. It features the familiar black chronograph dial, surrounded by a bezel made from anodised aluminium featuring a tachymeter scale. The 42mm watch is fitted on a brushed and polished five-link stainless steel bracelet, with links carved into an arched profile for added comfort. Its asymmetrical case shape holds the Calibre 3861 movement as its centre. The movement is COSC rated and can withstand the damaging effect of magnetic fields up to 15,000 gauss. Its silicone balance spring and co-axial escapement also promise unfaltering mechanical accuracy for even better value for money.

Omega Seamaster Diver 300M watch Reference: 210.30.42.20.01.001

No guide to the best watches in France would be complete without the mention of a Seamaster watch by Omega. As part of one of the world’s most diverse range of dive watches, this Omega Seamaster watch for men belongs to the Diver 300M category. You’re guaranteed qualities of legibility, robustness and water resistance with this model. The 42mm steel model is topped with a black ceramic diver’s bezel. This mechanism can rotate only in the counterclockwise direction so that there is no risk of this bezel getting accidentally knocked and increasing your dive time. The bezel features a contrasting 60-minute dive scale and secures onto a 300-meter water-resistant case. The Seamaster has a helium escape valve, and hands coated in a luminous material. Along with the hour markers, these assist with reading the time in the dark. Also, a screw-in crown and a date feature that sits at 3 o’clock. The hands are also skeletonised and rhodium-coated to enhance legibility whilst exploring daring underwater depths. Take to the water with this Seamaster dive watch strapped to the wrist and you’ll never want another dive watch.

Omega Seamaster Diver 300M watch Reference: 210.30.42.20.04.001

Similar in design but presenting the time on a white dial instead of a black one, this reference 210.30.42.20.04.001 is a perfect dive watch for the summer months. Its polished white ceramic dial is fresh and light, with red accents that deliver a pop of colour to its surface. The Omega Seamaster Diver 300M watch is so popular thanks to its do-it-all design and its robustness. It was released by Omega after having supplied over 110,000 wristwatches to the British military throughout the Second World War. With even better water resistance, it caught the attention of diving enthusiasts with its 0-ring gasket made from rubber. This Seamaster Diver 300M watch features white Super-LumiNova hands and indexes, a helium escape valve and a stainless steel bracelet that makes it easy to dress up with evening attire.

Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional watch Reference: 310.30.42.50.01.001

True to the original, this Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional watch is kitted out with a hesalite crystal glass front. It harkens back to the brand’s earlier version but at the same time keeps all the other much-loved design features perfectly intact. The chronograph dial with counters placed at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock is finished in black and is framed by a black tachymeter scale for measuring speed based on distance. This Speedmaster option can certainly be utilized in everyday situations, whether you’re new to its iconic design or not. The 42mm stainless steel watch secures a water-resistant rating of 50 meters. On the reverse, you’ll see the Seahorse medallion engraved onto its caseback. With a stepped dial and the familiar dot marking out the 90 on bezel, this Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional watch is ideal for any devoted speedy fan.

Rolex Yacht-Master 42 watch Reference: 226658-0001

You don’t have to look hard to appreciate all the best features of the Rolex Yacht-Master 42 watch. Its luxurious 18ct yellow gold case is a perfect match for a sporty black dial. Its Oysterflex bracelet fits onto a patented safety clasp. The Rolex Glidelock system is also designed by the brand and features an innovative toothed system for maximising comfort on the wrist. With the Rolex Yacht-Master 42 watch, you can utilize its bidirectional rotating 60-minute bezel for every situation. Its special Cerachrome bezel is resistant to colour fading over time, keeping the style of the design intact for years to come. With its ability to calculate sailing time between two points, the Yacht-Master should be a key companion in any luxury watch enthusiast’s collection. Additional features of the Rolex Yacht-Master watch include Chromalight hands and hour markers, a screw-down crown with a Triplock waterproof system, a cyclops date, and a waterproof rating of 100 meters.

Patek Philippe Aquanaut Travel Time watch Reference: 5164A-001

The Aquanaut Travel Time watch by Patek Philippe distils the essence and the unmistakable style of the original Aquanaut watch released back in 1997. What’s more, it comes fitted with a dual time zone mechanism, making it a perfect companion for the avid traveller. Local and home time is displayed on a black dial, alongside a date ring at 6 o’clock to keep track of the passing days of your vacation. Whether you are travelling for work or leisure, this Aquanaut Travel Time watch by Patek Philippe had to make it into this ultimate guide to France’s best luxury watches. Its octagonal rounded case crafted from stainless steel is inspired by the iconic Nautilus and is integrated with 120-meter water resistance. Another feature of the watch is its sapphire crystal glass front, chosen to protect the surface of the watch’s black embossed dial.

Rolex Cosmograph Daytona watch Reference: 116506-0001

With its compact 40mm diameter, the superb qualities of a platinum case can be fully appreciated in this Rolex Cosmograph Daytona watch. An ice blue dial is a perfect match for a polished platinum Oyster bracelet and a set of 18ct gold hands and hour markers. Lapsed time in both hours and minutes form part of the trio of chronograph features on the dial, each one framed by a chestnut brown trim to match a Cerachrom tachymeter bezel. As a famous motorsport wristwatch, you can map out your track time and your tactics using this stylish Rolex watch. The Rolex Cosmograph is one of the most collectable wristwatches to have been manufactured by the industry giant and is loved for its Oyster bracelet, first developed in the 1930s, along with its distinct layout. It goes without saying that the unusual colour combination for this Cosmograph is what makes the model so appealing.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept “Black Panther” Limited Edition watch Reference: 26620IO.OO.D077CA.01

Try as you might, you can’t ignore its bold and striking aesthetics of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept “Black Panther” watch. Its dynamic sandblasted titanium case measuring 42mm shows off the intricate components of an in-house developed movement alongside a stunning Black Panther design. The fictional Marvel character is framed within a purple inner bezel and equipped with a set of 18ct white gold hands in the familiar Royal Oak style. Plenty of luminescent coating has been applied to the surface of the dial details, all of which are protected by a piece of sapphire crystal glass. This men’s Audemars Piguet watch showcases the movement’s tourbillon cage, providing fans with a more wholesome insight into the workings of the watch. The limited edition is exclusive to just 250 pieces worldwide. The rarity of the watch is made even more appealing thanks to its sporty persona, enhanced by a black rubber band with a titanium AP clasp.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Self-winding Frosted Gold watch Reference: 15454BC.GG.1259BC.03

The Frosted Gold Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watch has an alluring personality. Its rich and indulgent style is unmissable on the wrist thanks to the way that its case has been made. A unique hammered effect across the surface of a 37mm stainless steel case creates indentations for light to bounce in and out of. What’s more, thanks to its compact case size, the watch is unisex. It features a classic black dial surrounded by an iconic case shape. At 9.8mm in depth, the watch sits relatively slim on the wrist. The Frosted Gold finishing, which has been perfected by artisans at Audemars Piguet, gives this Royal Oak watch a dramatic moonlight-inspired feel that is perfect for those with a preference for modern watch designs. The Royal Oak watch is also powered by a self-winding movement that propels a set of Royal Oak hands around the famous “Grande Tapisserie” dial.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph watch Reference: 26240ST.OO.1320ST.06

Ideal for you if you’re on the go a lot, this Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watch reference 26240ST.OO.1320ST.06 is a multipurpose chronograph that is perfect for daily use. Wear it for a meeting in the boardroom or enjoy it as a tool for measuring personal bests at the gym. Either way, the superior materials chosen for the manufacture of this watch make it a great all-round companion for every situation. It takes up a 41mm diameter on the wrist and has been crafted from stainless steel. The 50-meter water-resistant model takes on the look of those earlier watches that defined the sports watch era during the 1970s with a distinctive octagonal-shaped case. The black dial of the watch has been finished in the brand’s “Grande Tapisserie” effect and features luminous-coated hands and hour markers. It also offers a date window at 3 o’clock. As one of the most collectable wristwatches on the planet, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak in chronograph version is a good investment.

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