Chaumet Watches

History of Chaumet Watches

Founded by Marie-Étienne Nitot in 1780 at the prestigious Place Vendôme in Paris, the House of Chaumet soon turned into a favorite jeweler of many Royal families. The name Chaumet was adapted in 1885, when Joseph Chaumet took over the management.

In the 19th century, Chaumet started producing luxury watches. For the same purpose, Chaumet forged partnerships with iconic Swiss watch manufactures like Jaeger-LeCoultre and Patek Philippe. One of the most notable historic timepieces from the House is the pair of bracelet-watches commissioned by Eugène de Beauharnais in 1811.

In 1944, the House made a great revival. In 1970, they took over the iconic watchmaking brand Breguet. In 1987, Bahrain-based investment bank Investcorp acquired Chaumet and Breguet brands. In 1999, French luxury conglomerate LVMH acquired Chaumet.

In 1995, the Parisian Maison introduced Khesis watch. This ladies’ model features a distinct rice-grain design. In 1998, the Class One jewellery diving timepiece was launched. In 2003, the men’s wristwatch collection Dandy was added to the premium brand’s modern watch lineup.

In 2012, Chaumet launched new watch models like Class One Tourbillon High Jewellery Edition and Dandy Vintage Grande Date. In 2013, the House unveiled the iconic “Bee and the Spider” creative complication watch from the Attrape Moi Situ M’aimes Collection.

Chaumet Watch Collections

(1) Chaumet Dandy

A classical wristwatch dedicated to modern men, Dandy features a distinct cushion-shaped case inspired by the iconic Regent diamond. The sunray fine-brushed galvanic dial with engraved stripes motif evokes the Bayadère fabric pattern that originated in the 1920s. This timepiece traditionally features a stainless steel case measuring 38mm (large) or 40mm (extra large). Equipped with a Swiss automatic mechanical movement, it displays the hour, minute, seconds and date. The calibre is visible through the sapphire crystal case back.

The Large model is provided with a centre-seconds hand where as the Extra Large spotlight a small-seconds counter. The other specifications include fluted and sapphire-set crown, curved sapphire crystal and 30 meter water resistance. The two notable variants from this series are the Dandy Vintage Grande Date and the Dandy Arty Open Face.

(2) Chaumet Class One

This range offers dive watches with a refreshing aesthetic style. In 1998, Chaumet introduced the Class One, the first diving watch from the Parisian Maison. Instead of traditional styles, this extraordinary collection highlights an incredible mixing of colors, materials and dazzling gemstones. This range offers timepieces made of titanium, 18-carat gold or stainless steel. All of them are set with diamonds and other gemstones like ruby, sapphire or topaz.

Class One is available with various bezel styles, starting from a sparkling baguette gem-set pattern to a distinct design with "CHAUMET Paris" engraving. These bezels are unidirectional. The watches are available with gem-set and non-set dial versions.

This range offers automatic and quartz models, with three-hands and date display. The collection also includes some spectacular tourbillon watches. The available case sizes are 33mm, 39mm and 42mm. All of them are water resistant up to 100 meters.

(3) Chaumet Joséphine

Named after Empress Joséphine, this collection offers ultra-feminine wristwatches made of precious metals like 18-carat gold and platinum. These quartz watches usually feature diamond-setting and highlights pear-shaped case, dial and gemstone.

Among these timepieces, the Aigrette model features a pear-shaped case with or without gem-setting. The Rondes De Nuit Secret watch highlights a full-set round case and a pear-shaped paved secret cover. Depending upon the version, the Chaumet Joséphine watches come fitted with diamond-set bracelets, leather straps or satin wristlets.

(4) Les Pierres De Rêve De Chaumet

This ladies watch range stands out with the exquisite stone dials. Made of 18-carat gold and adorned with diamonds, the Les Pierres De Rêve De Chaumet houses an automatic mechanical movement that drives the hour and minute hands. Each timepiece from this series is a one-of-a-kind, thanks to the unique pattern of stone dials. It comes with a leather or satin strap.

(5) Chaumet Liens

This series is dedicated to women. The Liens watch features a distinct silhouette formed by the round-shaped case and innovative strap attachment link. Depending upon the model, they come with gem-set and not-set options. Equipped with an automatic movement, the watch features a two-hand or three-hand dial configuration.

Meticulously crafted from 18-carat gold or stainless steel, the case measures 33mm diameter (excluding the link around it). The dial is available in non-set sunray pattern, fully paved and gem-set enamel versions. The watch affords the view of its movement through the sapphire crystal case back.

(6) Chaumet Bee My Love

Chaumet Bee My Love is a women’s jewellery wristwatch. This discreet watchmaking jewel highlights a honeycomb inspired design. Dressed in a 19.50mm case and a high-precision Swiss quartz movement, it combines 18-carat gold and glittering diamonds. The distinctive hexagonal motif is visible everywhere: on the case attachment, dial, flanks, hour-markers and bracelet. This Chaumet watch typically features a minimalistic two-hand dial layout.

(7) Chaumet Hortensia 

Chaumet Hortensia is a distinct feminine watch series. It offers alluring timekeepers made of 18-carat gold or stainless steel. Its case measures 21.5mm diameter and houses an extremely precise Swiss quartz movement. A salient feature of this magnificent collection is an impressive selection dials.

The Hortensia watch is available with diamond-paved, mother-of-pearl, malachite, opal, pink opal and turquoise dials. It typically spotlights a diamond-set bezel featuring three flowers.

(8) Esquisse & Éclosion de Chaumet

This exceptional series for women's timepieces combines several art crafts: fine watchmaking, jewellery, gem-setting, enameling and engraving. Inspired by the beautiful Ranunculus flower, these diamond-set watches feature prominently a hand-painted floral structure on the dial side. They feature sea water mother of pearl dials. In Esquisse & Éclosion de Chaumet series, the brand highlights fine gold work & grand Feu enameling by Anita Porchet. Made of 18-carat gold, the case has a diameter of 35mm. Its bezel, crown and lugs are adorned with sparkling diamonds. A Swiss made self-winding mechanical movement drives the hour and minute hands.

(9) Chaumet Laurier

The Chaumet Laurier collection offers diamond-set secret-watches for ladies. Its 30mm diameter, gem-set gold case houses an aventurine dial. On the dial side, it contains a gold and diamond cover. Displaying time with two graceful hands (hour and minute), the Laurier watch houses a self-winding mechanical movement. 

Summary
 

Chaumet is one of the prestigious jewellery houses originated in France. It proudly carries a rich heritage in fine watchmaking. Although the luxury brand’s timepieces are made in Switzerland, all of them proudly highlight the Parisian elegance and style.

Most of its watches are made of gold. Majority of these luxurious creations are adorned with diamonds or other gemstones. The brand mainly uses brilliant-cut and baguette-cut stones to adorn its creations. Chaumet also offers stainless steel and titanium models.

Mounted with scratch-resistant sapphire crystals, these wristwatches are typically small in size. Its ladies’ watches traditionally feature case diameters in the range from 20mm to 38mm. Its men’s timepieces like Dandy measures 38mm or 40mm case. The largest Chaumet timepiece is the Class One Tourbillon with a 42mm case.

The brand offers a comprehensive collection of quartz and self-winding watches. The notable automatic models are Dandy, Les Pierres De Rêve De Chaumet, Soleil De Feu Flying Tourbillon, Laurier Secret watch and Esquisse & Éclosion de Chaumet.

Majority of the brand’s timepieces are water-resistant up to 30 meters. Designed as recreational divers, the Class One models are tested for 100 meters water resistance. With their wristwatches, the Maison offers precious metal bracelets with or without diamond setting, leather, satin or rubber.