Beaubleu Introduces La Pièce with Dials Struck at a 1,200-Year-Old Mint

Coins have a way of connecting us to the past. Currency from ancient civilizations still surfaces in archaeological digs today, their designs preserved in metal long after the societies that made them disappeared. For centuries they moved through markets and along trade routes, carrying with them the names of rulers and traces of the language from the time they were struck. This may seem odd today, given our cashless society, but the fact remains that coins have long been one of the most direct physical links to earlier civilizations.

That long history of metalworking sits behind La Pièce, a new watch from Paris-based Beaubleu, in collaboration with the Monnaie de Paris, within the French capital’s last major active mint. Founded in 864, the mint has been striking coins for more than twelve centuries, refining the techniques used to shape metal with a level of precision that complements the craft that goes into watchmaking. Surprisingly, Beaubleu is the first company to have partnered with Monnaie de Paris – and the results show us that they were the perfect partner to showcase the talents of the ancient mint.

Instead of applied markers and separate textures, the metal of the dial itself is struck and engraved, allowing light to move across raised and recessed areas much like the surface of a coin. A hidden crown at three o’clock keeps the case profile clean, while Beaubleu’s circular hour and minute hands and now-iconic flying seconds hands keep the continuity of the brand’s design throughout this new release. All of these components are housed within a 39mm stainless steel case.

La Pièce comes in two dial designs that interpret the struck-metal concept in slightly different ways. La Pièce No. 1, inspired by paper, uses a series of non-concentric circles that spread outward across the dial, creating layers that catch the light as the watch moves. The surface has a finely powdered relief, to have the look of textured paper, and printed hour markers have a subtle moiré effect to add some visual dimension to the watch. This reference is available in six colorways, such as:  Moka, Graphite, and Champagne, as well as Empire Blue, Olive Green, and Burgundy, each emphasizing the tonal depth of the dial while sticking with a conservative color palette.

La Pièce No. 2 has one of the collection’s most impressive technical details, with interior surfaces and hour markers machined directly from the metal itself, marking a first in watchmaking for a single-piece struck dial. The result is a single piece of metal finished in multiple ways, including polished, satin, and powdered surfaces that interact with light across the design. This version is offered in Rose Gold, Jet Black, and Silver, each emphasizing the geometry of the layout.

Both versions of La Pièce run on a France Ébauches automatic movement, which promises a 46-hour power reserve.

The La Pièce collection is available now, with pricing ranging from $2,090 to $2,210, depending on the strap configuration. This is a limited edition from Beaubleu, with only 888 pieces of each colorway produced. Visit beaubleu-paris.com to learn more.