France Ebauches is reborn to produce watches made in France

When we talk about French watchmaking, prestigious names such as Breguet and Cartier immediately spring to mind. However, these giants often overshadow other treasures, such as France Ebauches. This company, which once played a crucial role in the sector, is now making a remarkable comeback. Here's how it is working to rekindle the flame of French watchmaking.

An unexpected but promising comeback

Founded in 1920, France Ebauches was long a pillar of the French watchmaking industry. Specializing in the production of mechanical movements, then quartz movements, its creations powered watches from the biggest brands. However, at the turn of the 21st century, with the rise of Asian competition and poor management, the company stumbled and eventually disappeared from the radar in 1994. Today, following its acquisition by the Spanish group Festina and a modernized vision, France Ebauches is recovering and returning to the forefront.

Recognized technical expertise

When it comes to fine watchmaking, precision and mechanical excellence are essential. France Ebauches, with decades of experience, has unique expertise. The brand's mechanical movements are renowned for their robustness and precision. Many watchmakers who do not have the in-house capabilities to design their own movements are now turning to France Ebauches, such as the Nantes-based start-up Akrone, which chose an automatic movement and showcased it in a video.

This renewed interest can also be explained by a growing trend toward authenticity and craftsmanship. Indeed, discerning consumers are now looking for watches that tell a story, and France Ebauches movements possess this historical legitimacy, in addition to the ever-popular "Made in France" label.

Relocating to China only to end up refocusing on the Doubs region

Following a failed attempt to relocate to China, France Ebauches refocused on its production site in Maîche in the Doubs region, where production benefits in particular from orders from the Festina Group and a massive industrial investment in new machines and production lines.

Plates, bridges, and weights are produced at the Maîche site. Other components, such as anchors, balance springs, balance wheels, and escape wheels, are sourced from sister companies in the Swiss Jura. The goal is to have zero Asian components and, above all, to achieve 70% "French value" within these watch ranges: we are a long way from the 1990s and Chinese offshoring.

Despite this revival, several challenges remain. The watchmaking market is extremely competitive. Swiss giants such as ETA and Sellita dominate the production of mechanical movements. To establish itself in the long term, France Ebauches must not only maintain a high level of quality, but also continue to innovate and modernize its production facilities.

The sustainability of France Ebauches' business model also depends on its ability to attract and train new talent. Watchmaking requires technical expertise that is difficult to pass on. To ensure a bright future, France Ebauches is therefore also investing heavily in training and apprenticeship programs. It's a bold move, but an essential one.

A bright new future for French watchmaking?

The rebirth of France Ebauches represents much more than a simple return to the market: it embodies a new boom for the prestige of French watchmaking. Thanks to its strategic collaborations, technical expertise, and commitment to innovation, the brand is now positioned as a key player in the industry.