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When watchmaking expertise meets French elegance

As the world's capital of luxury, France has mastered the invaluable art of watchmaking for several centuries. An expertise that has given birth to a product still considered a symbol of sophistication: the watch. A look back at the history of this accessory, reinvented over the centuries by a number of prestigious brands.
 

Constantly evolving expertise

If there's one industry that has always embraced the innovations of each era, it's watchmaking. Originally dedicated to instruments for measuring time (sundials, hydraulic clocks, hourglasses), it emerged in the Middle Ages, around 1292, with the first fully specialized craftsmen. This know-how would continue to evolve:

  • Around 1410: appearance of the mainspring, enabling miniaturization and then portability.
  • Progressive improvements led to the invention of the 1st watch in 1518. Intended for François Ier, it met with great success and encouraged French watchmakers to seek ever greater precision and refinement throughout the 16th century.
  • In the 17th century, this quest for perfection was curbed by the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, prompting many of them (often Protestants) to flee to Switzerland.
  • While watchmaking gained its letters of nobility during the Renaissance, the Age of Enlightenment saw several innovations have a positive impact, such as the creation of the automatic winding and movement (in 1780 by Breguet, a brand that is still active today), the integration of the tourbillon (1801) or the invention of the chronograph (enabling the measurement of an interval of time).
  • The 19th, 20th and 21st centuries are not to be outdone, with the production of unbreakable glass, the introduction of quartz in the 1970s and, following on from this 1st phase of digital display, the recent emergence of connected watches.

It's worth noting that, while techniques have evolved and the craft has never ceased to be perfected, the products born of this long watchmaking tradition still meet the same aspirations: to punctuate daily life and assert, like François 1er in his day, a social status.

Discover all the luxury watches.

French luxury watches

The gradual industrialization of the sector, followed by the advent of digital watches, could have led to fears of a decline in creativity or manufacturing quality, but this is not the case.

With its centuries-old history, French watchmaking remains a symbol of excellence throughout the world, thanks to the high standards of several luxury brands that continue to meet buyers' aspirations:

  • Elegance and refinement: pure, timeless design, noble materials, meticulous finishing.
  • Innovation and modernity: Sapphire crystal, cutting-edge automatic movements, new technologies...
  • Exclusivity and personalization to reinforce status and the notion of rarity.

On the subject of rarity, one of the criteria with the greatest impact on the cost of a luxury watch, it is now possible to acquire this precious accessory second-hand. On the David Watches website, for example, you can find sought-after editions of Rolex, Omega, Breitling and TAG Heuer.

Several French brands that have contributed to the history of watchmaking are also available, including Cartier, Breguet and Montblanc. You'll also find Longines and Baume & Mercier watches, two Swiss companies that benefited from French watchmaking know-how in the 17th century.

Is the second-hand market the next big step for an industry that has been adapting for over 8 centuries? See you in a few years' time to find out, and right now on this dedicated online boutique.

Valérie from Comme des Français

 

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