Beaubleu, a relatively young and independent French watch brand established in 2017 by designer Nicolas Ducoudert, has captured attention with its innovative circular, orbiting hands. The brand recently unveiled a new collection, "La Pièce No. 1" and "La Pièce No. 2," born from an unexpected partnership with Monnaie de Paris, the official French national mint. This collaboration introduces unique watch dials crafted using machine-struck minting techniques, a testament to the mint's ancient heritage dating back to 864, making it one of the world's longest continuously operating institutions. The collection marries Beaubleu's distinctive design philosophy with the historical craftsmanship of the Monnaie de Paris, resulting in timepieces that blend horological artistry with a touch of numismatic tradition.
Both models in the "La Pièce" collection share a consistent aesthetic foundation, featuring a 39mm round steel case with a slender 10.2mm profile and a 45mm lug-to-lug measurement. The design incorporates distinctive elements such as hollowed flanks, gracefully sweeping lugs, a concealed crown, and a raised bezel adorned with a mirror-polished bevel and a brushed surface finish. These timepieces are offered in both classic steel and a gold PVD-coated steel variant, providing options to suit different preferences. The most striking feature, however, lies in the Parisian minted dials. These dials are meticulously crafted to command attention, showcasing rich textured surfaces, varying depths, and exquisite bas-relief details that highlight the intricate artistry of the Monnaie de Paris.
"La Pièce No. 1" takes inspiration from the 2024 "Seconde Française" model, known for its floating seconds hand. It features a captivating concave, stepped dial reminiscent of a pie pan, with three distinct height levels. These levels progress from the perimeter, including two adjacent tracks, descending to a chapter ring with pad-printed Roman numerals, and reaching its lowest point in the center where the brand's logo is positioned. The watch maintains Beaubleu's iconic round hour and minute hands, but its true highlight is the seconds hand. This indicator appears to float mysteriously above the dial, achieved by fixing it to a transparent disc mounted on the central axis, positioned above the main hands. Encased by a double-domed sapphire crystal, the gold PVD models are available with Champagne and Moka dials, while the steel versions come in a selection of Olive Green, Burgundy, Graphite, and Empire Blue dials.
In contrast, "La Pièce No. 2" maintains the same fundamental configuration as its counterpart but is elevated with more intricate and elaborate decorations. This model is available with Rose Gold, Jet Black, and Silver dials, each providing a distinct visual appeal. Pushing the expertise of Monnaie de Paris further, the sloped chapter ring features an elaborate series of gills and gleaming mirror-polished hour markers. These markers are precisely machined directly from the monobloc material of the dial, demonstrating a heightened level of craftsmanship. Similar to "La Pièce No. 1," the hour and minute hands are satin-brushed, while the floating seconds circle is distinguished by its finely grained, textured surface, adding another layer of tactile and visual interest.
Both models are designed for versatility, coming with interchangeable bracelet and strap options. They can be paired with slinky metal mesh bracelets or classic leather straps, allowing wearers to customize their look. Powering these exquisite timepieces is an automatic movement crafted by France Ebauches, a subsidiary of the Festina Group. This movement operates at a frequency of 4Hz and provides a robust 46-hour power reserve, ensuring reliable timekeeping. Emphasizing the brand's French heritage, the movement assembly takes place in Maîche, a renowned watchmaking region in France, situated near Morteau and the Swiss border, further reinforcing the collection's authenticity and local craftsmanship. Each color variation of these watches is part of a limited edition, restricted to 888 pieces. The models fitted with a leather strap are priced at EUR 1,790, while those featuring a mesh bracelet retail for EUR 1,890. Additional details can be found on the Beaubleu-Paris website.
This innovative collaboration between Beaubleu and Monnaie de Paris delivers a unique collection that stands out in the horological landscape. By blending Beaubleu's distinctive design language, particularly its signature orbiting hands, with the historic minting artistry of Monnaie de Paris, the timepieces offer a fresh perspective on watchmaking. The meticulous craftsmanship evident in the machine-struck dials, coupled with thoughtfully designed cases and reliable French movements, underscores a commitment to both aesthetic appeal and mechanical integrity. The limited availability of each colorway further enhances the exclusivity of these watches, appealing to collectors and enthusiasts who appreciate a fusion of heritage, innovation, and French elegance.