Everything to know about Saint-Honoré: reviews and most beautiful watches

Born in the 19th century in the heart of Franche-Comté, the Saint-Honoré house seems to have all the assets to be a historical figure of French watchmaking. After experiencing ups and downs, the time may have come to give it a new chance. So, what are Saint-Honoré watches worth? We give you our opinion in this article.

The history of the Saint-Honoré brand

Victorin Frésard chose to create a watch brand in his own name in 1885 in the heart of Franche-Comté, in Charquemont (the cradle of Herbelin since 1947). While his watchmaking expertise was widely recognized, the brand did not experience the same growth as some of its peers born at the same time or almost (Audemars Piguet in 1875, Breitling in 1884…). It was not until 1985 that the Frésard company officially took the name of Saint-Honoré.

French origins, Swiss manufacture and Parisian inspiration characterize the timepieces of the brand. High place of Parisian fashion and jewelry, the rue Saint-Honoré adds prestige to these watches whose names regularly pay tribute to the capital: Orsay, Haussmann, Monceau… At the end of the 20th century, the brand bets on international expansion and claims more than ever its hexagonal roots. The Eiffel Tower collection, the models of which are designed from metal components from the Iron Lady, contribute fully to this worldwide influence.

However, facing the giants in the accessible luxury market, Saint-Honoré struggles to find a place and its production remains relatively “confidential”. After long making its independence a strength, the brand eventually joined ILG (International Luxury Group) in 2018, and its already well-stocked portfolio in the world of perfumery (Police, Ben Sherman), optics (Police glasses, Escada, Roberto Cavalli, Chopard) and watchmaking (Ice Watch, Perrelet, Baume & Mercier).

Our opinion on Saint-Honoré

Despite being nearly 140 years old, the Saint-Honoré brand still remains under the radar for the general public. However, its production lacks neither quality nor style, combining classicism and elegance, as well as offering quite decent designs in the entry-level range.

Its men’s watches for less than 500€ are thus an excellent alternative for getting into watchmaking; but conversely, the more discerning will regret the omnipresence of quartz and the fact of seeing a simple Sellita movement animate the “exceptional watches” of Saint-Honoré like the Monceau. In summary, one almost feels a certain frustration when observing the collections closely: the potential is undeniable, but it still seems to lack that little something to make it a first choice when looking for an affordable, beautiful automatic watch.

The iconic watches of Saint-Honoré

The Opéra, Wolrdcode, Tourbillon 1885, and Coloseo collections have contributed to the prosperous days of Saint-Honoré, but one of his most iconic models remains the Eiffel Tower watch, released in 2015 to celebrate the brand’s 130th anniversary. A peculiar feature of this model: its bezel was designed from an authentic metal fragment of the Iron Lady!

Over the years, several limited editions have emerged with an easily identifiable style and an inscription “made of Eiffel Tower” on the back of the case.

Within the current collection, it is the Haussman watch that serves as the cornerstone in the men’s department. Available in different versions, from the chicest to the sportiest, it perfectly embodies the Saint-Honoré DNA, with a style that is certainly classic but always effective and beautifully crafted dials. However, for the moment in this line, one must settle for quartz watches…

Finally, for those looking for a truly beautiful automatic watch, Saint-Honoré has chosen another typical Parisian name: Monceau. The watch stands out with its barrel-shaped case, its integrated strap and its skeleton dial that allows you to admire a moving tourbillon. Almost as beautiful on the back as on the front, this timepiece is the perfect demonstration of Saint-Honoré’s know-how (but with a Sellita movement).

Where to buy Saint-Honoré watches?

In 2004, Saint-Honoré had (finally!) opened its store at 326 of the street that bears its name. Unfortunately, it has since closed its doors, and the brand can only rely on a limited network of retailers in France (6 stores in January 2024). This probably explains the lack of recognition of Saint-Honoré in our country, even though the acquisition by the ILG group could offer new perspectives in the future…

The collections benefit from increased online visibility, being present in various stores including Ocarat, Watches & Co and even… Amazon.

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