Beaubleu La Pièce No. 1 & No. 2 Showcases Dial-Stamping Techniques In Collaboration With Monnaie de Paris

Table of contents:

A pioneering moment in watchmaking, incorporating coin-striking techniques in collaboration with Monnaie de Paris, involved in minting for more than 1200 years, it’s time to review Beaubleu La Pièce No. 1 and La Pièce No 2

Summary

Struck-metal work is brought to the fore, blending modern horology alongside ancient techniques, presenting two dials, influenced by paper (La Pièce No. 1) and for the first time, a monobloc struck-dial, manufactured via the actual metal (La Pièce No 2)
Established in 2017 by Nicholas Ducoudert, Beaubleu’s design language remains similar to the Seconde Francaise, launched in 2024, with not just circular hands and hours but signature floating seconds hand, that’s as iconic as the Rolex Daytona history.
Home to a France Ébauches automatic movement, containing a 46-hour power reserve, both watches have the same specs. There’s a 39mm case, made from either gold-PVD or 316L stainless steel, together with a slender 10.2mm thickness.
There’s a concealed crown at 3 o’clock, and intricate detail across both dials. Non-concentric circles dominate La Pièce No. 1, catching the light with multi-layered facets. La Pièce No 2 is machine struck from a single metal block with several finishes from polished to satin, with an incredible interplay of light.
With a limited edition run of 888 pieces per dial colour, La Pièce No. 1 features six types of accents; Empire Blue, Graphite, Moka, Champagne, Olive Green and Burgundy. La Pièce No. 2 is available in three colourways; Silver, Jet Black and Rose Gold

So Audemars Piguet may have broken the internet this year, with the launch of the Royal Pop collection. More so than Daniel Craig unveiling the never before seen Omega Speedmaster in summer 2024.

Nick Hayek Jr must be laughing all the way to the bank. That’s some way to respond to the 2026 Morgan Stanley Swiss watch report where they accused them of inaccurate figures.

But if you want to buy a watch that’s truly minted to perfection with artisanal coin-striking techniques, inspired by a coin manufacture with more than 1000 years of heritage, look no further. This is both a representation and careful expression of time like no other.

In collaboration with the French national mint, Monnaie de Paris, it’s time to introduce our review of Beaubleu La Pièce No. 1 & La Pièce No 2.

Monnaie de Paris - Everything You Need To Know

Monnaie de Paris is France’s historic mint and one of the oldest institutions in the country. Established in 864 by King Charles the Bald and the Edict of Pistres, it is located along the Seine in Paris.

It produces coins like Euros, medals, and decorative objects while preserving centuries of craftsmanship. The institution also operates a museum showcasing numismatics and metalworking techniques.

Today, it blends tradition with contemporary art by collaborating with designers and artists. Visitors can explore exhibitions, workshops, and live demonstrations that reveal how coins are made, highlighting both heritage and innovation in French cultural production.

With a dedicated museum and factory, it remains an important symbol of French national identity and economic history today and beyond.

Personality Of The Beaubleu La Pièce No. 1 And La Pièce No. 2

“My encounter with the Mint was quite unexpected. I received a message from the Head of Strategy as well as the Chief Engraver, inviting me to discover their world and craftsmanship.I went there curious…we began discussing dial design. The depth I seek , textures and the way relief and surface interact with light. This approach naturally resonated with the Mint.”

Nicolas Ducoudert, Founder of Beaubleu, talking exclusively to Chrono Hunter

Metalworking techniques are at the heart of this release. There is a wealth of engraving, polishing, hammering, and texturing that add character and refinement, shaping both the appearance and tactile quality of the final piece.

Together, these disciplines transform raw metal into objects of lasting value, where craftsmanship, material, and design meet in a harmonious balance of strength, texture, and visual detail.

Measuring 39mm x 10.2mm, it is 1mm less in diameter than a Vacheron Constantin Fifty-Six Self Winding (4600E/110A-B487) and 0.8mm slimmer than a Patek Philippe Complications reference 4948G-010

There is a double-domed sapphire crystal, offering more protection than Donald Trump’s state visit to China. But it's the bold coin-striking techniques that take centre stage here on both watches outlined below.

La Pièce No. 1

There’s rippling relief a plenty with lots of expression coming from the different colourways that take on a pie-pan style, encompassing three individual heights.

We do like the powdered relief quality to this textured dial that has a paper like appearance. Look, there’s more shimmer on display than a red carpet at the Emmys,

With an emphasis on depth and as much precision as a Zenith El Primero or Grand Seiko Spring Drive, the signature circular hands and floating seconds hand on the struck metal dial is on full display.

Don’t forget the pad-printed Roman numerals. The contrast of dark registers against their one of a kind time-telling experience is a tribute to what designer and watchmaker Nicholas Ducoudert has achieved.

Colours available on the gold PVD novelty come in Champagne and Moka. As for the stainless steel case, this is available in Empire Blue, Burgundy, Olive Green and Graphite.

La Pièce No. 2

Elaborate decoration in three dial accents, Rose Gold, Jet Black and Silver, coupled with mirror-polished hour markers, machined from a single coin-struck metal surface.

Now this is where the horological magic happens…

Sure, there’s the sloping chapter ring. But hold on a second. Both models enjoy satin-brushed hour and minute hands but have added depth and warmth emanating from the rose gold watch, while there are mirror-polished, iridescent and satin finishes resonating across this series.

“Traditionally, achieving a polished finish on a component requires an extremely meticulous mechanical back-and-forth polishing process. The Mint’s exceptional expertise makes something magical possible; by pressing the piece, the polished areas of the tool are transferred onto the struck metal, revealing perfectly polished surfaces. Witnessing this felt like a real breakthrough.”

Nicolas Ducoudert

Utilising ancient coin-striking techniques by Monnaie de Paris, highlights the visuals and light-capturing abilities on show across both models that has an air of elegance, sophistication and unashamed uniqueness.

And we are not only referring to the brand’s legendary circular seconds indicator. Kinda like what the slide rule bezel is to Breitling.

Did You Know?

The Monnaie de Paris is France's oldest institution, manufacturing in excess of over 1 billion coins every year and around 700 million Euro coins

Official Specs - Beaubleu La Pièce No. 1

Official Specs - Beaubleu La Pièce No. 2

France Ébauches FE movement

Inside the Beaubleu La Pièce No. 1 & 2 beats a France Ébauches FE automatic calibre.

Manufactured in France, it reinforces their dedication to showcasing authenticity into this very piece, which is as French as Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre taking time out at Les Deux Magots to conceptualise existentialism.

France Ébauches played a pivotal role in sustaining France’s mechanical watch industry during the twentieth century.

Established in 1967 through the consolidation of several regional movement makers, the company was a strategic response to growing international competition, particularly from Swiss and later Japanese manufacturers.

Their aim was to produce mainly affordable, reliable mechanical and quartz movements. Under the Festina Group since 2017, the France Ébauches FE movement became widely recognised for its robustness, affordability, and practical design.

Models such as the FE 140 and FE 4611 powered countless everyday watches.

This offered reliable timekeeping without the refinement associated with high-end Swiss calibres. Yet this accessibility was precisely its strength, enabling French brands to compete in mass markets.

By the way, this specific movement has been fully assembled in Maîche. This small town in eastern France, is close to the border with Switzerland. It lies in the Doubs department within the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, in a mountainous area of the Jura range.

And, it is close to Morteau, where you will find YEMA, another impressive French watchmaking brand.

Although vintage European watches contained this calibre, other brands utilising the France Ébauches FE movement include;

Elge
Pierre Lannier
Akrone

Highlighting French provenance further reinforces their deeply embedded passion to showcase what the nation can do when it comes to watchmaking.

Official Movement Specs

Where Can You Buy A Beaubleu La Pièce No. 1 And La Pièce No 2?

Limited to 888 pieces, individually numbered, subject to the strap choice, prices are outlined below in this easy to read table.

In addition, you can choose from a variety of leather, rose gold and steel metal mesh straps, including;

Grained Brown
Grained Cognac
Grained Black
Caiman Black

Pick one up from their official site, or why not contact us to see how you can buy one…in mint condition, of course!

Prices correct as of July 2026

What’s Our View?

Similar to the new Audemars Piguet x Swatch “Royal Pop” craze that’s going to break the internet in 2026, this collaboration is groundbreaking…in a totally different way.

This world first, bringing together not one but two unique dials produced in the historic Monnaie de Paris in the centre of the French capital, merges the intricate art of coin-striking, showcased on both watches.

This is so much more than your run of the mill textured surface that has been forged, utilising the metal that’s been carefully moulded and pressed to perfection, like a pure Valencian orange juice.

And that’s a very sweet deal indeed.

Especially from one of the best microbrands on the independent scene right now, highlighting the importance of French watchmaking, alongside others I have covered, including Atelier Wen (Founders Robin Tallendier and Wilfried Buiron hail from France) and Pequignet, renowned for their Calibre Royale with a whopping 96 hour power reserve.

Call it savoir-faire. Call it something else. But as we have proven, the French know exactly how to make exceptionally good watches.

Conclusion

Authentic to its very core, and with bags of Gallic charm, Beaubleu La Pièce No. 1 and La Pièce No 2 is a work of genius. How on earth no one jumped on board before to partner with Monnaie de Paris is beyond me.

They are the first brand to do so…and hopefully not the last.

The coin-striking dials are as sculpted as Venus de Milo, with as much refinement and finesse as a layered mille-feuille.

Plus there’s that French automatic movement, choice of mesh bracelets and floating second hand that gently caresses the timepiece, making it an exquisite entry-level choice for anyone looking to get into the watch game.

Whether you are minted or not!

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Images: Unless otherwise specified

Beaubleu

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