Since its creation in 2017, the Beaubleu brand has managed to seduce us with its uniquely styled watches and a very particular characteristic: round hands. Ecce, Vitruve… the collections have always exuded elegance and a certain dose of poetry.
But with its new French Second, Beaubleu manages to reach a new milestone: what if it was simply the most beautiful French watch of the year?
The flying second at the heart of the two new Beaubleu references
Stirring up astonishment. Questioning our relationship with objects. Since he launched the Beaubleu adventure, its designer-founder Nicolas Ducoudert strives to stand out from the traditional watchmaking production: “We all experience time differently, it varies according to the person, their location and sometimes even, their mood. Taking this into account gives birth to new ways of designing a watch.”
At Beaubleu, this translates to a unique display of time. The circular hands of these watches have become the brand’s signature and have won over the public with the poetry they exude. Each dial allows an appreciation of the ballet of passing time, displaying a different style throughout the day. So, of course, this element could not be absent from the new French Second collection and its first two references, “19.24” and “20.24”.
The 39 mm steel case, alternating brushed and polished surfaces, displays perfect curves, with the crown positioned at 3 o’clock perfectly concealed. Round and streamlined, it enhances the dial, on which operates 3 hands, 3 circles, including the “flying second” one, on the edge, which seems to float in the air.
Grained or enameled, dotted with fine railway-scale marks and topped with a double dome sapphire glass, the dial of the Ref. 19.24 offers an almost nostalgic face. And if this watch was “designed as if it was born in the last century”, the Ref. 20.24 poses as its contemporary alter ego, with its monochrome shades (pearl grey or salmon) and its fascinating relief. Like a night bird, the watch changes personality in the darkness thanks to its hour and minute hands covered with X1 grade Super-LumiNova.
Round needles powered by a French movement
Of course, style plays a predominant role in the development of Beaubleu collections. But more than just simple objects, these watches are also truly beautiful timepieces. After having powered its previous timepieces with Miyota movements, the brand has chosen a hexagonal design for this French Second, which lives up to its name.
The two new watches thus house a France Ebauche FE movement, made in France. Visible through the open case back, it lets its “deliciously symmetrical” mechanics be admired, with a beautifully crafted oscillating mass that echoes the signature of the Maison Beaubleu. And thanks to the expertise of the France Ebauche manufacture and its links with the Swiss manufacture Soprod, these new watches benefit from a 5-year warranty.
To complete this array, several bracelets will be offered, in steel (Milanese mesh) or in leather. Depending on the model chosen, this French Second, offered in a limited edition of 888 copies, will see its price range between 1490 and 1590 euros.
