Beaubleu La Pièce: A Watch Dial Struck at the Monnaie de Paris

By Brent Robillard

“The very coinage of your brain”

Back in 2024, Beaubleu sent us two watches ahead of their appearance at the inaugural Toronto Timepiece Show. It was our first hands-on experience with the young Parisian brand, and what struck me immediately was the sense of cohesion across the collection. From the signature circular hands to the restrained, architectural cases, Beaubleu had clearly developed a unified design language—one that felt distinct without trying too hard to stand apart.

Now the brand is taking a bold step forward with its latest release: La Pièce, a collection created in collaboration with the historic Monnaie de Paris.

Monnaie de Paris

Founded in 864 AD, the Monnaie de Paris is one of the oldest continuously operating institutions in France, responsible for striking coins and medals for more than twelve centuries. For the first time in watchmaking, that expertise has been applied to the creation of watch dials. Rather than layering applied markers and textures, the dials of La Pièce are struck directly in metal using traditional coin-minting techniques at the Hôtel de la Monnaie in Paris.

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The result is something quite unusual in contemporary watch design. Surfaces rise and recess directly from a single piece of metal, producing sculptural depth and subtle light play that would be difficult to achieve through conventional dial construction.

Key Features of the Beaubleu La Pièce

Two dials, nine colourways

Two references form the collection—La Pièce No.1 and La Pièce No.2—each exploring different surface treatments while remaining faithful to the brand’s recognizable aesthetic. Both watches feature Beaubleu’s iconic circular hands and floating seconds hand, elements that founder Nicolas Ducoudert introduced when launching the brand in 2017.

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Case

Both references of La Pièce are housed in the same thoughtfully proportioned 39 mm case crafted from 316L stainless steel, measuring 45 mm lug-to-lug and just 10.2 mm thick, with a 20 mm lug width that keeps strap options versatile. The case profile is clean and contemporary, topped by a double-domed sapphire crystal that adds a subtle vintage warmth to the dial beneath.

In keeping with Beaubleu’s minimalist philosophy, the crown is discreetly hidden at 3 o’clock, preserving the uninterrupted symmetry of the case. The watch is water resistant is rated to 50 metres (5 ATM)—more than sufficient for everyday wear.

Calibre

Powering all versions of La Pièce is an automatic calibre from France Ébauches, a fitting choice for a watch proudly manufactured in France. The movement offers a 46-hour power reserve and drives the watch’s simple time-only display with central seconds. While the mechanics remain largely hidden behind the dial, the choice of a French movement reinforces the brand’s broader philosophy with this release—bringing together local design, local manufacturing, and a renewed emphasis on French horological capability.

Iterations

La Pièce No. 1 will come in Moka, Olive Green, Graphite, Champagne, Empire Blue, and Burgundy. In addition, the Moka and Champagne iterations will come with PVD finished cases: rose gold and gold, respectively. La Pièce No. 2 will be made available in Rose Gold, Jet Black, and Silver.

All three references of the No. 2 (Silver, Rose Gold, and Jet Black)

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Final Thoughts & Pricing

By partnering with one of France’s most historic craft institutions, the brand demonstrates the kind of energy and creative experimentation that continues to define this new generation of French watchmaking. La Pièce is produced as a limited edition, with 888 pieces available per colour across the two references in the collection. Pricing is set between €1,790 and €1,890, depending on the strap configuration, positioning the watch firmly in the accessible independent category while still offering a distinctive design language. Each watch is backed by a five-year warranty. Please visit the brand website for more information.

About the Author

Brent Robillard is a writer, educator, craftsman, and watch enthusiast. He is the author of four novels. You can follow him on Instagram.

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