Perrelet - History, Models and Owners' Reviews

Perrelet is a luxury Swiss watch brand, renowned for its rich heritage of technical innovations and commitment to artisanal excellence. Founded in 1777 by Abraham-Louis Perrelet, the house played a determining role in the evolution of watchmaking, notably thanks to the invention of the automatic watch.

The Origins and Invention of the Automatic Watch

Born on January 9, 1729 in Le Locle, Switzerland, Abraham-Louis Perrelet was the son of a carpenter. He quickly developed a passion for watchmaking, and in 1777 he developed an automatic winding mechanism for pocket watches. This system used an oscillating weight which, through the movements of the wearer, wound the mainspring, eliminating the need for daily manual winding. This major innovation revolutionized the watchmaking industry and earned Perrelet international recognition.

Expansion and Family Inheritance

Abraham-Louis Perrelet's legacy was carried on by his grandson, Louis-Frédéric Perrelet (1781-1852), who settled in Paris and continued to innovate in the watchmaking field. In particular, he developed split-seconds chronographs and marine chronometer, helping to strengthen the reputation of the Perrelet family in precision watchmaking.

Renaissance of the Brand in the 20th Century

After a period of relative discretion, the Perrelet brand was relaunched in 1995 with the introduction of the "Double Rotor", an innovative watch equipped with two rotors: one visible on the dial side and the other on the movement side. This design allowed for better winding efficiency and offered a unique aesthetic, highlighting the automatic movement.

Acquisition by the Festina Group

In 2004, Perrelet was acquired by the group Festina, a Spanish watch company. This acquisition allowed the brand to benefit from increased resources for the development of new models and expansion into new markets.

Main Collections

Among Perrelet's notable collections is the Perrelet Turbine, launched in 2009. Inspired by airplane turbines, this watch features a dynamic dial with moving blades that create a striking visual effect during wrist movements. This innovation strengthened Perrelet's position as an avant-garde brand in watch design. Also note the Perrelet Seacraft intended for diving enthusiasts, this collection offers robust watches with a water resistance of up to 777 meters (2,500 feet), combining functionality and elegance.

Today, Perrelet offers a diverse range of watches combining tradition and modernity. Among the flagship collections:

Perrelet Turbine

La Perrelet Turbine, launched in 2009, is distinguished by its dial animated by 12 moving blades, inspired by airplane turbines, creating a unique visual effect with each movement of the wrist. Equipped with the COSC-certified automatic caliber P-331-MH, it guarantees exemplary watchmaking precision. The case, available in stainless steel or titanium with a diameter of 45.5mm, offers water resistance up to 5 ATM. The anti-reflective sapphire crystal protects the dial, ensuring optimal readability.

The Turbine collection offers various variations, including the Turbine Skeleton, revealing the internal movement, and the Turbine Diver, suitable for diving. This watch combines technical innovation and bold design, embodying Perrelet's Swiss know-how.

Perrelet Turbine Titanium41

La Perrelet Turbine 41, launched in 2023, sports a 41mm titanium case, more compact and lighter. Its dynamic dial with 12 moving blades creates a hypnotic visual effect. Equipped with the automatic caliber P-331-MH, COSC certified, it combines innovation and watchmaking precision with sparkling variations in multiple colors

Perrelet Lab Peripheral

The Lab Peripheral de Perrelet collection, launched in 2021, is distinguished by its innovative peripheral rotor, offering a clear view of the automatic movement. The models, with 42mm cushion cases, feature complications such as dual time zone with large date. The dials, available in emerald green and deep blue, combine elegance and modernity.

Perrelet Lab Peripheral is available in several versions including Perrelet Lab Peripheral Dual Time Big Date and Perrelet Lab Peripheral 3 Hands & Date.

Perrelet Weekend

Launched in 2017, this collection offers elegant watches with a timeless design. In 2023, the brand introduced vibrant grass green dials, offering a modern and trendy touch. These models are available in "3 hands", "GMT" and "Open Heart" versions, combining sophistication and functionality.

Commitment to Innovation and Quality

Throughout its history, Perrelet has maintained a constant commitment to technical innovation and artisanal quality. The brand continues to develop sophisticated mechanical movements and offer designs that combine tradition and modernity, thus meeting the expectations of the most demanding watch enthusiasts.

Conclusion

With more than two centuries of history, Perrelet remains an iconic figure in Swiss watchmaking, celebrated for its significant contributions to the art and science of time measurement. Its legacy of innovation and quality continues to inspire and delight watch enthusiasts around the world.

To choose a Perrelet that best suits you, Dialicious owners' reviews are a valuable resource for evaluating each of the different models through real customer experience.

(Updated November 2024)