French watchmaking at INHORGENTA – Part 1

With around 1.5 million timepieces manufactured each year, the French watch industry has…

as a dynamic, diverse, and internationally recognized industry. It combines traditional craftsmanship with innovative strength to create watches that impress with their elegance, quality, and unmistakable French signature.

This diversity will be on display at INHORGENTA Munich in the French Pavilion in Hall A1, Booth 228 H.

Here, established houses with a rich history meet independent brands with a fresh perspective: high-quality craftsmanship stands alongside contemporary accessibility, iconic models are reinterpreted, and technical independence meets creative courage. This presentation is supported by Francéclat, the French professional committee for the promotion of watchmaking, jewelry, and tableware culture, which curates the pavilion and brings together the strengths of French watchmaking.

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French watchmaking today – diversity, heritage, and new ideas

French watchmaking draws on a long industrial tradition, cultural independence, and a distinctive understanding of design. The following brands exemplify different chapters in this history—from historical manufacturing to pop culture to new mechanical ambitions.

Herbelin – Three generations of French precision

Herbelin was founded in 1947 in the French Jura Mountains and remains family-owned to this day. Its geographical proximity to the Swiss border is no coincidence: it allows the company to draw on the watchmaking tradition without simply copying its codes. Herbelin has always pursued its own unique path, characterized by elegance, technical precision, and understated design.

The brand sees watchmaking as a long-term project. Collections such as Newport—maritime-inspired and technically precise—or Cap Camarat, with its more striking, integrated design language, clearly demonstrate this attitude. With models such as the Octogône, Herbelin also demonstrates its courage in terms of geometry and clear design statements. The watches are created with the aim of being timeless – not trend-driven, but permanently relevant.

More about Herbelin: https://herbelin.de/

Go Mademoiselle – Fashion as an introduction to the world of watches

Go Mademoiselle was born from the idea of developing watches specifically for a young, female target group—fashionable, accessible, and emotional. The brand deliberately positions itself outside of classic watchmaking categories and sees timepieces as fashion accessories that reflect moods and personality.

With over 300 regularly updated models, Go Mademoiselle offers variety rather than iconic individual pieces. Colorful straps, decorative elements, and lightweight cases make these watches spontaneous purchases. The brand’s success lies less in technical innovation than in its flair for trends, color schemes, and everyday practicality.

More about Go Mademoiselle: https://go-mademoiselle.fr/

Depancel – Watchmaking from a motorsports perspective

Depancel was founded by automotive and watch enthusiasts who wanted to create an emotional connection between racing and watchmaking. The brand name itself is a statement: a tribute to Delage, Panhard, and Facel Vega—icons of French automotive history.

This heritage has a noticeable influence on the collections. Series such as Autosport and R01 draw on the design codes of classic racing cars without succumbing to pure nostalgia. Models such as the Allure Mono-Eye Mint Green show how color, minimalism, and technical displays merge to create a modern motorsport reference. Depancel represents a new generation of independent brands that place equal emphasis on emotion, mechanics, and design.

More about Depancel: https://depancel.com/

Kelton – The watch as a cultural phenomenon

Kelton is deeply rooted in everyday French culture. Founded in 1955, the brand became a cultural symbol thanks to its unconventional communication, musical advertising jingles, and broad presence in the mass market. Kelton stood for accessibility and joie de vivre—and deliberately broke with elitist images of watchmaking.

Following its revival in 2020, the brand is building on this heritage without standing still. Chronographs such as the RC24, Chrono Meca, and collaborations such as Kelton x Chapal translate historical motorsport themes into contemporary designs. The Heritage line reflects the brand’s own history—not nostalgically, but consciously reinterpreted.