Beaubleu La Pièce n°1 - Burgundy

Beaubleu Paris – Limited Editions

Beaubleu Paris is a brand that views watches a little differently. Instead of trying to conform to established watchmaking conventions, it has created its own distinctive signature, the most visible element of which is its iconic round hands. As they move across the dial, they overlap, pass each other, and create an ever-changing graphic composition. Time thus becomes not just data, but also a visual experience.

Limited editions are not just a marketing add-on for Beaubleu; they are an integral part of the brand's story. The first collection, B01, was launched in 2017, and it was here that the round hands made their debut. Individual models were limited to just 125 pieces. These were followed by the Union and Vitruve collections, which further developed the brand's characteristic design, introducing new colors, case shapes, and complications, including GMT.

Today's Beaubleu limited collections directly follow this tradition. La Pièce N°1 offers a range of color options from Champagne and Moka to Bleu Empire, Graphite, Lie de Vin, or Vert Olive. La Pièce N°2 presents more subdued variants in shades of Argent, Noir, and Or Rose.

Each Beaubleu watch from a limited production bears an individual identification number on the case back, confirming its belonging to that specific limited collection. So, these are not just watches with a limited number of pieces produced – each specific piece has its own identity within its collection.

Although the individual collections differ in design and materials used, the common denominator remains the automatic mechanical movement and a transparent case back through which its operation can be observed. Beaubleu completely designs and assembles its watches in Paris, directly in its own watchmaking workshop. This is also where their service and maintenance take place.

Dial, Hands, and French Movement

The dial pushes the boundaries of traditional watchmaking, transforming the material itself into a space for true artistic expression. Every detail reveals new possibilities in craftsmanship and stands out for its extraordinary delicacy and precision. It is the result of collaboration with Monnaie de Paris, a historic Parisian institution and the last major minting factory in the French capital that is still in operation.

The dial appears as if it were carved from a single piece of steel. Its uniqueness lies in the combination of polished inner surfaces and hour markers carved directly into the metal. This is an exceptionally demanding technique, which, for a monobloc dial, represents a truly exceptional feat in watchmaking.

The seconds hand appears to float above the dial. It is applied directly onto a transparent disk with a special anti-reflective coating. The key was to find the precise ratio of its diameter and thickness so that the weight was evenly distributed. This minimizes vibrations and the fragility of the moving disk while keeping it almost invisible.

It is precisely this solution that creates the characteristic magical effect of this model, where the seconds hand seemingly floats above the dial without any support, moving smoothly across it.

Through the transparent case back, one can admire the perfectly symmetrical French movement France Ébauches FE, which is manufactured in France.

Its characteristic feature is the automatic winding rotor, whose design follows Beaubleu's typical signature. The rotor moves above a two-arm balance wheel, which is fully visible throughout its 360° range thanks to the movement's construction. The result is an impressive view of the mechanics that constantly come to life with every wrist movement.

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About the brand

Beaubleu was founded in 2017 by Nicolas Ducoudert Pham, who wanted to create a watch brand built more on emotion, design, and a personal perception of time than on traditional watchmaking stereotypes. His characteristic round hands have become the hallmark of the entire brand, gradually creating an aesthetic language that is hard to mistake among contemporary microbrands.

Beaubleu Paris is therefore interesting precisely because it does not try to be another small brand making "classic" watches. It has its own signature, its own way of displaying time, and a distinct Parisian identity. And with limited editions, this approach is even more pronounced – they are created as a space for experimentation, new materials, colors, and design ideas that might not have a place in a regular collection.

If you are looking for a watch that won't look like just another variation on a familiar watchmaking theme on your wrist, Beaubleu's limited editions are worth considering. They are distinctive, a little unconventional, and above all, instantly recognizable. And that, in watches, is perhaps one of the most valuable qualities – to have your own face.