I had a red Orient Kamasu for 2 years that I loved to wear and I came across this new version with a magnificent smoked dial and beautiful vintage-style indexes, I couldn't help but fall for it. The design is obviously reminiscent of the Submariner but the color gives it a fun side that makes it authentic, it has its own signature. As for the specs, it's just perfect, it's waterproof and resistant, the precision is honorable and the comfort is there. The price positioning is really excellent.

Unbeatable pleasure/price ratio

It was with her that I took my first steps in mechanical watchmaking, and it was she who gave me watch fever. She is sumptuous! Sometimes dark, sometimes bright, after 2 years of ownership I cannot describe the color precisely as it changes depending on the light. The polished faceted indexes are sublime, particularly when it is dark and a few rays of light come to make them shine in the middle of a midnight blue or even abyssal smoked dial. Let's quickly move on to the flaws that are quickly forgotten, the hardlex glass which is unfortunately scratchable and the 4r35 movement which is neither the noblest nor the most precise of movements but which has the advantage of being extremely easy to maintain. Let's get back to the good points with the date which is superbly well integrated into the dial, the proportions of the case 40.3mm in diameter and 11.2mm in thickness measured, perfect proposals for a beginner who wants a chic watch that has a nice presence on the wrist without being ostentatious. The mirror-polished case and the domed glass accentuate the dressy side of this timepiece. The bracelet is sober and elegant in addition to being of acceptable quality and comfort. The crown marked with the Seiko S logo is pretty and easy to handle. For this price, this little Seiko Presage Cocktail Bluemoon is the perfect solution for maximum emotion!!

I never get the blues with my Bluemoon

This Paul Hewitt was given to me for Christmas by my partner, it was one of the first watches in my collection, and the second "fashionwatch" since she had already given me a Fossil chronograph. It has a special value in my eyes, because it is one of the first gifts that my partner gave me. I have often heard that "fashionwatches" have no value and that they are good to throw away. Personally I find this judgment too harsh, on the one hand because these watches convey an emotion specific to each person, they have often been given as gifts, but also because they are often the first steps that encouraged the purchase of more "prestigious" pieces later and finally because they have interesting intrinsic characteristics despite everything. Let's talk about the points that I like about this little watch: its minimalist design gives it a refined look, the applied hour markers are very well executed and shine as much as more high-end models. The black dial is nice and is not disturbed by too much literature. The small second is well placed and its discretion allows me not to be disturbed by the frequency of the second hand characteristic of quartz. Moreover, the hands are very beautiful, and the detail of the ink at the end of the second hand is super nice (especially for me who works in ship design). The watch came with the good quality black leather strap, made in Germany, the pin buckle was signed but I no longer have it. I decided to buy a white version of the watch to get the Milanese mesh strap which is also very comfortable. The crown is small but fluted and signed. The thin and curved horns bring elegance and comfort, the 20mm lug width makes it easy to change the straps (the straps sold with have flash pumps). On the spec side, I appreciate the integration of a Japanese Miyota quartz caliber, a screwed back that makes it easier to change the batteries and allows the 5atm water resistance, which is satisfactory for a dresswatch. The glass is made of flat sapphire, which provides robustness to the watch. I will finish with the negative points, which are not numerous: the 42mm diameter is too high for my taste for this type of watch and the date breaks the harmony of the dial in my opinion. In summary, despite its lack of prestige, I love this watch for my personal history with it, and I know how to find many intrinsic qualities in it. At €100, is it really less good value for money than some more prestigious watches? It costs 20 times less than a Nomos Tangente, that's a fact. Is it 20 times less qualitative than a Nomos Tangente? That's debatable. That's not the point, watchmaking is a matter of emotion, it's pleasure, it's not rational, and for me this Paul Hewitt is full of emotions.

My Paul Hewitt is full of emotions

I bought this Hamilton at the beginning of my romance with watches. I was quickly attracted to chronographs, but unfortunately I couldn't afford a Daytona or a Speedmaster. No problem, I found my pleasure with this chronograph with the assertive design of a historic brand (and in particular for chronographs). I wore it a lot, and with it I feel like I'm stronger because it's so imposing (42mm all the same and a nice thickness of almost 15mm). It has a lot of assets to defend itself, the dial is super well worked and full of details, all giving a rendering as elegant as sporty. An open back allows you to appreciate the Valjoux 7750 decorated by Hamilton. The precision is good and the power reserve comfortable for me who likes to change watches daily. I appreciate the integration of the pushers and the crown signed by this chronograph. The crown is not screwed but the water resistance is announced at 100m, which is appreciable on a chronograph (moreover I did many dives of 4-5m with it before knowing that it was not at all recommended). I like its comfort even if I find it today a little heavy and bulky compared to my new watches which are often smaller. In short it is an excellent instrument to measure the cooking time of pasta! The big plus is that it is easy to find this model second-hand and to treat yourself to a mechanical chronograph for a few hundred euros.

My Hamilton Jazzmaster Chrono has character!

We've seen it over and over again for a year, maybe a little too much. But I fell under its spell the first time I saw it in real life. It's impossible to take photos that fully honor its magnificent yellow dial. It's fun, light and comfortable. Its Miyota 8000 series movement is robust and precise. For less than €250, I don't see what better purchase I could have made to give myself a nice Christmas present. I love it!

Ma funky watch ! 

PARADOXICAL, that's the first adjective that comes to mind when I think of this watch. 

My first experience with the watch was catastrophic, I saw it in the window and found it beautiful, but once on the wrist, my partner found it ugly and massive on its steel bracelet. 

I still liked the model despite everything, and I loved the photos where I saw it on a black leather bracelet. So I decided to buy it, an opportunity on the second-hand market pushed me to take it with the steel bracelet (which I don't like because it's a nest of scratches). 

I thought I would put the leather bracelet on it and check the box of the sporty-chic watch, take it out from time to time and take care of its magnificent mirror-polished bezel. After a year I still haven't bought this black leather, I wear it from time to time on the brown leather of my Longines, but I haven't managed to find a nice personal strap for it, the 21mm lug width doesn't help. 

Finally I got used to using this watch on the steel bracelet that I find monstrously comfortable and practical to use (I usually take my watches off my wrist about ten times a day to put them in front of me). This Tissot ended up serving me as a toolwatch that I don't hesitate to mistreat, it has taken a lot of shocks, I love its 100m water resistance which allows me to use it without any hassle. With my Khaki Field auto, it is clearly the watch that I wear the most. I ended up loving it because it never bothers me, I'm not afraid of damaging it, its magnificent blue dial never tires me, it changes from black to sunray blue and takes the light wonderfully well thanks to the superb polished faceted indexes, the hands are also very successful. The little extra, its sparkling side dazzles many people and it often earns me compliments. The big plus, its movement is exceptionally well regulated, and thanks to the 80h power reserve, I only reset it every 10 weeks or so. In summary, a good purchase that has been confirmed over time. A watch that makes you think about the use of my other watches.

Ma toolwatch

A superb watch for less than €400. The sunburst dial is sumptuous, the details and finishes are really up to par. The history of the model is a significant asset. Certainly one of my best investments for my beginnings in watchmaking. The icing on the cake is that it has really earned me many compliments.

A little piece of sunshine

I was looking for a classic white watch to go to a festival. I wanted to be able to match it with blue white red nato straps because I like to be chauvinistic at festivals. I had a Paul Hewitt "fashionwatch" (which I talked about more precisely in another review) and I chose to take the same model but in white, I could thus get the Milanese mesh strap to put on the black one. This white Paul Hewitt is not flashy but it has never let me down. It accompanied me to Miami, Amsterdam, Barcarès, Nantes, Carhaix.... and I had a lot of great times with it, and for the festival it was useful for me to have the time because I leave the smartphone aside. Its sapphire crystal allowed it to resist my madness, the 5atm of water resistance resisted the beer that must have spilled on it and the Miyota quartz movement never drifted for a minute. It's far from the most noble of my watches, but it has served me well!

My festival watch

This little Timex was one of my first automatic watches. 
Timex is an American brand that is little known today, despite a rich history since its creation in 1854. The Timex Q was an important chapter, released in 1979 by the brand in the midst of the quartz crisis, it was a real blockbuster. Its characteristic design, in the shape of a barrel with an integrated bracelet is typical of the 70s movement and recalls models such as the Omega Genève, the Rolex Oysterquartz or the now famous Tissot PRX. 
For the 40th anniversary of the model, Timex decided to launch a reissue of the model revisited with many details that pay homage to the original model and others that use aesthetic codes of certain models of the brand with the crown. These details really make this watch charming. In addition, Timex decided to release an automatic version called M79 (for Mechanical and 1979). 
The unidirectional bezel gives a less massive appearance to the 40mm case compared to models like the PRX and the Tsuyosa. All the characteristics of a diver are present except for the water resistance which is only 50m (big black point of the model), so we can almost consider it as a skin-diver. 
The two-tone black and red bezel pays homage to the GMT Master, as do the hands although the Mercedes hand has been replaced by a hand with a small "T" that recalls the brand. Another nice little detail, the crown is signed. 
I particularly appreciate the simplicity of the dial which is not too busy and the effort that was made to integrate the date with a black disc like the dial. The finishes are really very successful for the price. The red second hand is a nice reminder of the color of the bezel. The domed acrylic glass reinforces the vintage look and allows you to enjoy the beautiful black dial. The transparent case back allows you to observe the Miyota 8215 caliber, a robust movement that has proven itself and requires little maintenance. We can criticize the only 42 hours of power reserve and the -20, +40 announced even if I have the feeling that my watch has a drift much lower than these figures. 
Finally, we must talk about the bracelet which recalls the old bracelets of the Timex Q, I find it very chic because it is much thinner (22mm down to 18mm at the buckle) and it reinforces the neo-vintage aspect of the watch, the signed buckle is robust. However, it is important to emphasize that even if the bracelet fits the wrist perfectly, it is not at all comfortable because it tends to catch the hairs on the wrist.

An excellent watch to get started in watchmaking

What can I say? 
This watch speaks for itself.
A disconcerting simplicity. Elegance, chic. The perfect watch to enjoy a coffee on a terrace in the spring sun. Take the time, appreciate, this watch will certainly give you an epicurean mood. 
Despite the difficulties of reading this single-hand watch, we can say that the SW-200 caliber is rather precise and robust. 
The polished surfaces and its domed acrylic glass make it rather fragile however. 
The sobriety of its white/light gray dial allows it to match many bracelets, it is a pleasure to explore several combinations. Watch to try, for less than €1000, hard to find a better price-pleasure ratio.

Minimalism

Spinnaker is a young brand, but it knows how to find coherent historical references that allow it to tell nice stories. The Spinnaker Bradner is a good example, since the model pays tribute to the famous inventor of the neoprene suit who nevertheless had a relative importance in the world of diving! And the tribute is successful, the model is a blockbuster of the brand, its very successful compressor-type case gives it an irresistible vintage look, all the more so with the ultra-domed sapphire bezel that distorts the inscriptions on the internal crown. The sunray blue is great, the indexes generously filled with luminova are really successful aesthetically and functionally. The date is well integrated at 3 o'clock, no horrible contrast with the blue of the dial. The watch is decorated with nice little details and there are no finishing defects. The dial literature is sober, the applied Spinnaker inscription shines brightly in the sun and the small orange "600ft/180m" inscription is a reminder of the lollipop second hand. The rice grain bracelet is nice, it really looks a lot like the one offered by Baltic (maybe the same supplier at the end of the chain). A sapphire caseback allows you to enjoy the NH35 movement which just has an oscillating weight decorated in the brand's colors, I think I would have preferred a beautiful solid caseback with a little aesthetic work that could have paid a little homage to Hugh Bradner. All in all, it's an extremely nice watch, excellent value for money that really offers a lot of pleasure!

A beautiful tribute to Hugh Bradner

I wanted a fieldwatch with character to complete my Seiko collection. I came across this Seiko5, not too expensive, rather original and which does not duplicate my Khaki Field. Its design caught me immediately, the dial is sumptuous and convinced me to buy it. I have to be honest and recognize its flaws, a very cheap strap that almost looks plastic, a 4R35 movement that is not the most noble and a hardlex glass that could take scratches. But all its flaws are quickly forgotten when I put it on a small nato, and I take pleasure in admiring the dial without any guilt about the investment each time I look at the time.

A little thrill this Seiko5 fieldwatch

It was sold to me as a "must-have". It does not detract from its excellent reputation. It is truly indestructible, it has withstood so many challenges, on vacation in the mountains in the summer. Only one criticism, the bracelet which unfortunately tends to age badly. I recently bought the same model in blue and with the Bluetooth option so as not to have to change the battery and risk compromising the watch's water resistance. But I still recommend it as much!

Fun et indestructible 

After having tested and loved my transparent "Casioak" GA-2100 for over 2 years (without it cracking), I fell for this new G-Shock. The solar charging convinced me, and also the Bluetooth connectivity which will allow you to adjust the watch without any problem (it is more complicated with the basic model). In a slightly less crazy mood at the time of purchase, I chose to select a more sober version. Here I am ready to face new adventures!!

Sober and indestructible

This model is a reissue of a model from the 70s. The vintage side is there, everything is successful, the watch gives an impression of impressive quality (which justifies the 2000€ that had to be invested to afford it). However, I almost regret having taken this model because the 200m water resistance seems weak to fill the diver's box in my collection. 
Nevertheless, I appreciate its finesse, finishes and the way its dial plays with the light. 
A nice watch in short, but I recommend going for the new version which displays better water resistance (300m).

Yes my captain

SRPG47K1, the reference is a bit barbaric, but what is hidden behind it? 
A superb limited edition (or not given the 11,000 copies produced) of the Seiko 5 Sports divers. 
A diver's look for this watch that succeeded the famous SKX in the Seiko range. 
On the technical side, the 100m of water resistance will seem light for diving, especially without a screwed crown. The bezel, although graduated, does not have LumiNova either. The indexes have very effective LumiNova. On the dimensions side, the 42.5mm diameter is very pleasant, the well-integrated crown at 4 o'clock helping to save width. The lug-to-lug length is 46mm. The bracelet (of questionable quality) of 22mm is well integrated. 
On the emotional side, not much to tell beyond the little story of the limited edition for the 140th anniversary. Design-wise, be careful, we have a very high level. The case is really great, the polished and brushed surfaces, the beauty of the bezel, the flange... Not to mention the dial, because this watch, although sporty, is a real dial watch and that's what will make you fall in love if you handle it. In short, a fun purchase, a sporty and summery look for less than €300, a reliable movement that won't be the most precise but will go far and will be easily maintainable.

140 years is starting to be a while

This Emporio Armani watch was given to me 5 years ago by my partner. It is one of the watches that got me into watchmaking. 
I admit that I have hardly worn it, perhaps reproaching it for being too flashy. 
In terms of flaws, I will not list them, it is a Chinese-made fashion watch powered by a quartz movement. 
Let's talk about its qualities: 
The quartz movement is super precise, the chronograph is functional. 
I appreciate the design, the general harmony, the watch is very thin, I like this arrangement for chronographs, the crown is beautiful and engraved and the buttons are also pretty. The applied indexes are nice, the date is well integrated. The logo at 12 o'clock allows not to overload the dial. The bracelet is light, thin and of good quality. The hands are thin. 
In short, enthusiasts will undoubtedly spit on it, but in reality it brings pleasure, and for the record it brings more compliments than my Tudor GMT or my Alpina Seastrong.

A fashion watch with flaws... AND qualities

One of my latest acquisitions, a favorite that I bought for myself to celebrate my departure from a company that didn't fulfill me for 1 year (the vacation bonus was spent with great pleasure). 
I discovered the model thanks to Hany in small watches between friends. I must admit that it convinced me because a few months later, I couldn't resist buying mine. I opted for the heritage model, in the colors of the original watch. And I love it! 
I have always appreciated the super compressor cases (I already had my Spinnaker Bradner), and this one caught my eye, the work of the case is great, the proportions seem perfect to me. The 300m water resistance is appreciable and makes it a real diver (even if the LumiNova is not incredible). The play of colors and the depth of the dial are its main qualities (thanks to a very pretty flange that acts as a rotating bezel that can be manipulated by the second screw-down crown). The domed glass also contributes to its charm and the impression of depth. 
The applied indexes are also very fine and very pretty. The hands are also level and I appreciate the integration of the date. The engraved case back is also very nice. 
The big plus is also this rubber strap that suits it wonderfully and gives a style halfway between sport and almost sartorialism. In addition, it gives an impression of quality, solidity and incredible comfort. However, it can be combined with a black leather strap or a metal strap without end-link for a very pronounced vintage style. 
In short, a real must-have! A look that has crossed the decades and is still just as popular. I think it will remain my must-have for many years to come. 
I am really delighted with it.

Timeless, even if it tells the time precisely

This is one of the watches with which I started my watchmaking journey. It is almost an essential for beginners in watchmaking. The good "quality-price" ratio to try out a legendary design without taking your banker hostage. It has this fun side that its color sometimes burgundy, sometimes red brings. Its dial is magnificent, but I would criticize its reflections created by a moderately treated sapphire. 
Its other asset is its versatility, it is criticized for a metal bracelet of mediocre quality, but it adapts perfectly to a good number of bracelets. 
Technically, it is flawless, generously arranged lume, good water resistance of 200m, a crown protector, a sapphire crystal, a running indicator, a precise and reliable movement. I can attest to its robustness, it has notably resisted the test of the banana-boat on the beautiful Breton beaches. To sum up, it's the perfect watch to start with, but I admit that I don't wear it anymore, nor the duck blue version that I bought later. Because I got tired of this design that I've seen and reviewed, I'm now thinking about buying a new diver's watch, also colorful but with a more atypical style (why not a Doxa for example). 
But this Orient has set the bar very high and it's going to take a lot to convince me! 
Long live watches! Long live Japan! Long live Orient!

A small Japanese car with a submarine-style design

<p dir="ltr">The French watch brand <strong>LIP</strong> is an emblematic figure of the watch industry, recognized for his innovation, his avant-garde design and his history rich in twists and turns. Founded in <strong>1867</strong> in Besan&ccedil;on, LIP has gone through periods of glory, economic challenges and social struggles, while leaving an indelible mark in the history of French watchmaking.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">The Beginnings: Foundation and Expansion (1867-1930)</h2>
<p dir="ltr">The history of LIP begins in 1867 when Emmanuel Lipmann founded a small watchmaking workshop in Besan&ccedil;on, the French capital of watchmaking. Initially named "Comptoir Lipmann", the workshop specializes in the manufacture of high quality pocket watches. In 1893, the company became the "<strong>Soci&eacute;t&eacute; Anonyme d'Horlogerie Lipmann Fr&egrave;res</strong>" and adopted the brand LIP, acronym of the founder's initials.</p>
<p dir="ltr">At the beginning of the 20th century, LIP stood out for its technical and aesthetic innovations. In 1904, the brand introduced the "Lip" pocket chronometer, which met with notable success. <strong>LIP is quickly positioning itself as a major player in French watchmaking</strong>, combining precision and elegance in its creations.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">The Age of Innovation: The 1930s-1950s</h2>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Under the direction of Fred Lip</strong>, son of Ernest Lipmann, LIP enters a period of intense innovation. In 1933, the brand launched the model <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/lip/t18">Lip T18</a>, a rectangular wristwatch equipped with a high-precision movement. This model became emblematic and <strong>was offered in 1948 to Winston Churchill</strong> in recognition of his role during the Second World War.</p>
<p dir="ltr">In the 1950s, LIP continued to innovate by introducing<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/lip/electronic"> Lip Electronic</a> in 1952, the first French electronic watch. This model uses a quartz crystal to keep time, constituting a significant advancement in watchmaking technology. Lip offered at this time the first models<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/lip/himalaya"> Lip Himalaya</a> which still remain in the catalog today.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">The 1960s: Expansion and Avant-Garde Design</h2>
<p dir="ltr">The 1960s marked a period of expansion for LIP like the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/lip/nautic-ski"> Lip Nautic-Ski</a> presented during the <strong>Grenoble Olympic Games in 1968</strong>. It was also the beginning of collaborations with renowned designers to create watches with innovative designs. In 1967, the brand called on Roger Tallon, famous industrial designer, to design the collection<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/lip/mach_2000"> Lip Mach 2000</a>. These watches are distinguished by their futuristic aesthetic and their bold shapes, breaking with traditional watchmaking codes.</p>
<p dir="ltr">At the same time, LIP develops watches intended for specific uses, notably for pilots and divers, thus strengthening its reputation as a manufacturer of technical and reliable watches.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">The 1970s: Crisis and Social Struggles</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Despite its successes, LIP faced financial difficulties at the end of the 1960s, exacerbated by international competition and changes in the watch market. In 1973, the company was placed in liquidation, triggering a series of strikes and factory occupations by workers. This social movement, known as "<strong>LIP Conflict</strong>", became emblematic of workers' struggles in France and attracted national media attention.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The employees, led by the trade unionist Charles Piaget, took control of production and continued to manufacture and sell watches under the slogan "It's possible: we make, we sell, we get paid!". This experiment in self-management aroused broad popular support and symbolized workers' resistance to factory closures.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">The 1980s-1990s: Relaunch Attempts and Changes in Ownership</h2>
<p dir="ltr">After the liquidation of LIP in 1977, <strong>several attempts at revival were undertaken</strong>. In 1984, the brand was bought by the "Kipl&eacute;" company, but this initiative failed, leading to another liquidation in 1986. In 1990, the businessman Jean-Claude Sensemat acquired the brand and successfully relaunched production, relying on modern marketing methods and reissuing iconic models. Under his leadership, LIP experienced a renaissance and achieved significant sales.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">The 2000s: Renewal and Modernization</h2>
<p dir="ltr">In 2002, Jean-Claude Sensemat signed a worldwide licensing contract with Jean-Luc Bernerd, who created the Manufacture G&eacute;n&eacute;rale Horlog&egrave;re in Lectoure, in the Gers region, to produce LIP watches. This collaboration makes it possible to modernize the collections while respecting the brand's heritage. LIP continues to offer reissues of historic models, while introducing new creations adapted to contemporary tastes.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">The 2010s: Back to Basics and Sustainable Development</h2>
<p dir="ltr">In 2015, the brand was bought by the "Soci&eacute;t&eacute; des Montres Bisontines" (SMB), based in Ch&acirc;tillon-le-Duc, near Besan&ccedil;on, France. This return to geographical sources marks a new stage in the history of LIP, which strengthens its local roots and its commitment to sustainable development. Production is relocated to France, and the brand strives to promote French watchmaking know-how. LIP continues to offer its emblematic collections which have marked its history, seeking to meet the expectations of modern consumers.</p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Check out the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/top/the_best_french_watch_brands"><span class="s2">Ranking of the most popular French watch brands</span></a>, including LIP.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr">(Updated November 2024)</p>

My wife's watch... A LIP Himalaya skeleton... with a touch of customization (the µ on the front, our children's first names on the oscillating weight) due to the fact that it is a partnership between LIP and the ENSMM (Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Micro Mécanique de Besançon where one of our children is a student) (a school which has many partnerships with other watchmakers and many of whose former students now work in the field of watchmaking, particularly in Switzerland.

Feminine and dressed with a unique touch

Magnificent version of LIP Himalaya, with its UFO case and its very refined dial. The sunray is strongly accentuated here, with shades ranging from steel gray to anthracite gray which gives a splendid depth effect; and often a "smoked dial" effect. All the rest of the watch is gold plated, and the whole thing catches the light well without being bling-bling. Very pure design therefore, without frills, but with a small bright orange second hand which gives a little boost to the whole, without distorting the original spirit of the watch. Very successful.
Only small downside: a crown a little small and too integrated, therefore difficult to wind (manual winding).

A very pure design

This watch is made of a brushed steel case, on its large central part, and mirror polished at the bottom and top. The choice is relatively limited in terms of new skeletonized models at affordable prices and quality. What I particularly like about this timepiece is that although it is skeletonized, it is made up of a dial mixing numbers and indexes. This dial allows reading the time as easy as on a more classic watch, which is rarely the case with this type of model. The blued hands bring an additional touch of elegance. I would have appreciated a more refined Swiss movement, but for the price range it would have been difficult.

Skeletonized version

(LIP Himalaya blue hourglass; Ref: 67575). This is a gift from my wife for our wedding anniversary. This watch is very elegant and catches the eye thanks to its mirror-polished case and its beautifully skeletonized blue dial. Its domed sapphire crystal, applied indexes and very particular skeletonization give it a lot of elegance. The open back shows us the Myota 8N24 caliber (a bit of a shame..) but which works perfectly and whose rotor is a real spinning top... The brown leather strap is of good quality and very comfortable. This is one of the many modern variations of Maurice Herzog's Himalaya and it is always very rewarding to wear a watch with such historical heritage. A beautiful dress watch for less than €400!

A Himalayan LIP that reaches the heights of elegance!

The LIP Himalaya 40mm Automatic Day/Date is an elegant and timeless watch that embodies the renewal of LIP’s expertise. Inspired by the legendary history of Himalaya watches, renowned for their robustness and precision, this modernized version remains faithful to the spirit of adventure that made them famous. Featuring a 40mm polished and brushed 316L stainless steel case and sapphire crystal, this watch is distinguished by its clean dial, offering good readability. The day/date display adds a touch of practicality, ideal for everyday use. Powered by a Miyota 9132 automatic movement visible through a transparent caseback, it combines tradition and contemporary technology. With its classic design and premium leather strap, the LIP Himalaya 40mm Automatic Day/Date is the perfect choice for those looking for a distinguished and versatile watch, whether for the office or for a mountain getaway.

My classic LIP Himalaya automatic day/date watch

My first automatic watch, which I can only recommend today. When diving into the world of mechanical watchmaking, we are often looking for a piece where we can "see the movement". Usually, we end up with "open heart" watches or "skeleton" models. I was particularly seduced by the "Hourglass" shaped opening which is very original.
Lip is also a historic French brand, famous for its iconic models such as the T18 Churchill, the Nautic Ski, the Himalaya, and many others. In my opinion, this further reinforces the idea of "introduction to watchmaking".

We therefore end up with a beautiful gray dial, openworked with an hourglass that reveals the movement and the inscriptions are at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock. The silver indexes and numbers nicely echo the visible movement, as well as this polished and domed bezel which integrates perfectly with the also domed glass.

A small downside for me concerns the "luminescent" hour/minute hands, which do not seem to add much to this watch that does not have luminescent indexes. I would have preferred silver hands, like the second hand, which I find successful with its red tip. And why not a ridge to echo the indexes which, themselves, give relief to the dial. 
Relief? Perfect for a watch with the Himalaya logo. 

The steel case is rather successful and well crafted, with an open case back that is in line with the openwork dial. Special mention also for the horns, which are also well finished. 

The movement is a Miyota Series 8 (8N26) which does not shine with its finishes or precision, but which still allows you to discover the workings and functioning of a mechanical movement, while maintaining an accessible price at €430 today. 

In conclusion, I would say that it is a very good quality/price ratio considering the history of the watch/brand and its finishes. In my opinion, it remains a beautiful gateway into the world of mechanical watches.



LIP Himalaya Sablier, a gateway to watchmaking?

A native of Besançon and an admirer of LIP, I already had a few models and noticed this one on other enthusiasts, finding it very pretty each time. An opportunity allowed me to acquire it and enjoy it in turn. I find it very distinguished and enjoy wearing it from time to time. However, it fades a little next to better-made watches.

Distinguished

<p>Cr&eacute;&eacute;e en 2017 par le designer Nicolas Ducoudert, <strong>Beaubleu apporte une dimension nouvelle &agrave; l&rsquo;horlogerie</strong> en cr&eacute;ant des montres &agrave; la fois esth&eacute;tiques, &eacute;tonnantes et profond&eacute;ment symboliques. Les aiguilles rondes, signature de la Maison, sont le reflet d&rsquo;une singularit&eacute; et d&rsquo;une simplicit&eacute; sophistiqu&eacute;e. Chaque mod&egrave;le arbore un design d&eacute;licieusement contemporain, o&ugrave; chaque d&eacute;tail, chaque surface, interagissent avec la lumi&egrave;re.</p>
<p>Cassant les codes de l'horlogerie traditionnelle en apportant une vision nouvelle du temps, les montres Beaubleu sortent des sentiers battus en arborant des aiguilles rondes et &eacute;vid&eacute;es, inspir&eacute;es des travaux de Galil&eacute;e dans sa compr&eacute;hension du syst&egrave;me solaire. Ces aiguilles affichent de mani&egrave;re po&eacute;tique les heures, qui ne pointent pas un index ni une graduation, mais qui indiquent une position, un instant depuis le centre du cadran.</p>
<h2>Quels sont les principaux mod&egrave;les de la marque Beaubleu ?</h2>
<p>Beaubleu vient d&rsquo;annoncer le 5 juin 2024, le lancement d&rsquo;une nouvelle collection en s&eacute;rie limit&eacute;e nomm&eacute;e <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/beaubleu/seconde_francaise">Beaubleu Seconde Fran&ccedil;aise</a>. Une belle innovation esth&eacute;tique et po&eacute;tique comme en a le secret la marque., avec une aiguille volante des secondes et un calibre fran&ccedil;ais de France &Eacute;bauches. <strong>La Beaubleu Seconde Fran&ccedil;aise fait partie des nomin&eacute;s au Grand Prix d''Horlogerie de Gen&egrave;ve 2024</strong>.&nbsp;</p>
<p>La collection <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/beaubleu/ecce">Beaubleu Ecce</a> reste la collection permanente de la marque lanc&eacute;e en octobre 2023. Malgr&eacute; sa jeune histoire, Beaubleu a d&eacute;j&agrave; commercialis&eacute; 3 collections en s&eacute;ries limit&eacute;es :</p>
<p><a href="https://www.dialicious.com/beaubleu/b01">Beaubleu B01</a><br><a href="https://www.dialicious.com/beaubleu/union">Beaubleu Union</a><br><a href="https://www.dialicious.com/beaubleu/vitruve_date">Beaubleu Vitruve Date</a> et <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/beaubleu/vitruve_gmt">Beaubleu Vitruve GMT</a></p>
<h2>Quel est le prix d'une montre Beaubleu ?</h2>
<p>Le prix des montres Beaubleu &eacute;voluent et diff&egrave;rent selon les mod&egrave;les. La plupart co&ucirc;tent <strong>entre 800 &euro; et 1,600 &euro;</strong> selon les r&eacute;f&eacute;rences. A titre d'exemple, une <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/beaubleu/ecce/vesperal">Beaubleu Ecce Vesperal</a> est propos&eacute;e &agrave; 890 &euro; sur le bracelet cuir et la nouvelle collection <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/beaubleu/seconde_francaise">Beaubleu Seconde Fran&ccedil;aise</a> est vendue &agrave; partir de 1,490 &euro; sur bracelet cuir &eacute;galement. <a href="bit.ly/4abJPrn" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tous les prix Beaubleu sur le site de la marque</a>.</p>
<p>La marque Beaubleu est ind&eacute;pendante et vend plusieurs milliers de montres par an, tous mod&egrave;les confondus. Pour choisir le mod&egrave;le Beaubleu qui vous correspond le mieux, les <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/beaubleu/seconde_francaise/20.24_gris_perle/review/66607be37f15bc103d620fe3">avis clients Dialicious sur Beaubleu</a> sont une pr&eacute;cieuse ressource pour &eacute;valuer les diff&eacute;rents mod&egrave;les &agrave; travers l'exp&eacute;rience r&eacute;elle des clients de la marque.</p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Consultez le<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/top/les_meilleures_marques_de_montres_francaises"><span class="s2"> Classement des meilleures marques de montres fran&ccedil;aises</span></a> dont Beaubleu fait partie.</span></p>
<p>(Mise &agrave; jour Novembre 2024)</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">Created in 2017 by designer Nicolas Ducoudert, Beaubleu brings a new dimension to watchmaking by creating watches that are aesthetic, astonishing and deeply symbolic. The round hands, signature of the House, reflect singularity and sophisticated simplicity. Each model features a deliciously contemporary design, where every detail, every surface, interacts with light.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Breaking the codes of traditional watchmaking by providing a new vision of time, Beaubleu watches go off the beaten track by featuring round, hollowed-out hands, inspired by the work of Galileo in his understanding of the solar system. These hands poetically display the hours, which do not point to an index or a graduation, but which indicate a position, an instant from the center of the dial.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">What are the main models of the Beaubleu brand?</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Beaubleu has just announced on June 5, 2024, the launch of a new limited series collection called<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/beaubleu/seconde_francaise"> Beaubleu Seconde Francaise</a>. A beautiful aesthetic and poetic innovation as the brand has the secret, with a flying seconds hand and a French caliber from France &Eacute;bauches. The Beaubleu Seconde Fran&ccedil;aise is one of the nominees for the 2024 GPHG (Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Gen&egrave;ve).&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">The collection<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/beaubleu/ecce"> Beaubleu Ecce</a> remains the permanent collection of the brand launched in October 2023. Despite its young history, Beaubleu has already marketed 3 collections in limited series:</p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/beaubleu/b01">Beaubleu B01<br></a><a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/beaubleu/union">Beaubleu Union<br></a><a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/beaubleu/vitruve_date">Beaubleu Vitruvius Date</a> And<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/beaubleu/vitruve_gmt"> Beaubleu Vitruve GMT</a></p>
<h2 dir="ltr">How much does a Beaubleu watch cost?</h2>
<p dir="ltr">The prices of Beaubleu watches change and differ depending on the model. <strong>Most cost between &euro; 800 and &euro; 1,600 according to the references</strong>. As an example, a<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/beaubleu/ecce/vesperal"> Beaubleu Ecce Vesperal</a> is offered at &euro; 890 on the leather strap and the new collection<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/beaubleu/seconde_francaise"> Beaubleu Seconde Francaise</a> is sold from &euro; 1,490 on a leather strap as well. All Beaubleu prices on the brand's website.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The Beaubleu brand is independent and sells several thousand watches per year, all models combined. To choose the Beaubleu model that best suits you, <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/beaubleu/seconde_francaise/20.24_gris_perle/review/66607be37f15bc103d620fe3">Dialicious owners' reviews on Beaubleu</a> are a valuable resource for evaluating the different models through the real experience of the brand's customers.</p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Check out the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/top/the_best_french_watch_brands"><span class="s2"> Ranking of the best French watch brands</span></a>, including Beaubleu.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr">(Updated November 2024)</p>

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