Balmain Watches, a Symbol of Heritage

He was one of the figureheads of the golden age of Parisian haute couture. Pierre Balmain dressed the exceptional women of his day, from queens to princesses to film stars. An eminent traveler, he also contributed to spreading and propagating French style and luxury around the world. This art lover also took inspiration from Arab and East Asian art for his label’s aesthetics – some of the most ancient and elaborate artistic representations in humanity fed into Balmain’s stylistic exercise. Throughout his collections, he inscribed them into his embellishments, his embroideries, and his “Jolie Madame” style – all of these references and artistic findings still nourish the work of Balmain’s current creative director Olivier Rousteing at his ripe age of 31. There’s another domain in which the Balmain label distinguishes itself through these multiple traditions: watchmaking.

This brand on 44 rue François 1er, where Pierre Balmain set up his couture house within two decorated salons and an upper floor, entered the watchmaking space in 1987. An exclusive partnership with the Swatch Group allowed for a mashup between a revered haute couture aesthetic and the most advanced watchmaking technologies. Balmain’s arabesque emblems thus found their way onto a watch. Made of metal, the arabesques blossomed on the lug and the dial like the foliage on a Gallé vase. These graphic arabesques and Balmain’s elegance became the very essence of a timepiece worthy of bearing this sumptuous signature. Throughout a number of collections, the motif became one of the specificities of Balmain watches – the arabesque dial became an icon through a magnificent conception inspired by the embroideries that adorn the brand’s couture dresses.

But just like in fashion, the sources of inspiration in watchmaking are infinite. Each of Balmain’s watches has a story and a meaning. Whether in gold or steel, fine watchmaking or non, every Balmain style is an object that embodies attention to detail. Symbols of elegance and ultimate refinement, just like the label’s pieces, the brand’s watchmaking complications are the perfect topper to any look. Balmain’s timepieces are always presented with pleats, a touch of color, marvelous two-tone versions, abstract geometric floral embellishments, or irresistible leather bracelets. Founded at the center of Switzerland’s Jura Arc, Balmain watchmaking has released many an iconic watch. In 1997 with Elysées, their collection became celebrated around the world. More recently, the new Orithia line adorned with a vintage pink crocodile motif leather bracelet honored Balmain’s femininity.