Green o’clock

This season, wrists are getting all decked out in fifty shades of green, from velvety lime and cocktail olive to mysterious forest tones and juicy, vibrant greens that slam. Although green began popping up in the 2000s, it didn’t start making waves until 2020, and now offers scope as a great go-to basic with a twist.

Free-spirited vibes

The Edmond Dantès from 1977 manages to strike the perfect balance between preppy and rebellious, offering up a classic, elegant dress watch feel with a radiant, solar-inspired dial and matching strap that tap into a somewhat unexpected hue: a deep, South of France green reminiscent of olive trees bowing under the weight of their fruit.

This quirky take on a classic aesthetic is made for 1977 by the expert Pierre Lannier workshops near Strasbourg. The House brings customers luxe Origine France Garantie-certified watches powered by a France Ébauches automatic calibre and inscribed with a Paul Valéry quote on the back:

“The greatest freedom comes from the greatest rigour.” A hard-hitting statement in step with this exclusive olive-green edition, limited to 99 pieces.

Totem turtle

Following hot on the trail of the White Shark and Red Viper, Eska unveils the Green Turtle version of its Amphibian 250, an amphibian/marine reptile hybrid that leans into its trademark dive watch credentials (unidirectional bezel, outstanding legibility and water resistance to 250 metres) in a highly functional, action-first timepiece. The Green Turtle is fascinating in how it combines practical appeal with a cutting-edge feel:

high-impact statement style starring oversized indices and cubic markers on the bezel, all veiled in a gorgeous smoky green reminiscent of turtles and their toughness and longevity. The watch is powered by an automatic calibre and made in 136 pieces — a nod to its water resistance at 136 fathoms.

Pure, clean green

Jacques Bianchi Marseille’s JB200 Aquastrike puts the emphasis on a punchy green with attitude: as irresistible as the call of the void or the deep, dark forest. Leaning into its heritage as a dive watch, the Tropic-style rubber strap injects a little vintage-inspired edge while sparking daydreams of the golden age of underwater exploration. The matching green dial builds a sense of monochromatic cool that contrasts nicely with the grey steel case for an exquisite example of statement style at its finest.

This inspiring design keeps to the brand’s Marseille roots while remaining true to pure watchmaking tradition as a timepiece kitted out with an automatic mechanical movement.

Iconic inspiration

As a piece of jewellery that has evolved into one of the Place Vendôme’s most iconic creations, Poiray’s Ma Première Grand Modèle hits all the right notes: a case that feels simultaneously sensual yet delicate, a mother-of-pearl dial studded with diamonds and a symphony of elegant curves.

A sweet and tender lime-green shade takes this watch to the next level, with an interchangeable strap creating the freedom to switch styles up in a flash. An instant pop of colour for an immediate sense of freedom and freshness that feels playful in contrast with the straight-laced dial. This textured, nuanced aspect makes Ma Première Grand Modèle a living, breathing work of art that forever feels fresh and new while wedded to the brand’s inner essence.

Let there be light

Wander off the beaten path with March LA.B’s AM2 Nyctalope and its original, radical design: a forged carbon case where black and greens shimmer in the darkness. This mesmerising material absorbs the light for a glow-in-the-dark effect, prompting the dial to light up in a series of spectacular, illuminated indices cut into luminescent blocks.

By daylight, the dial stays a true, deep green that feels effortlessly refined, with a jacquard-inspired pattern that unfolds on two interchangeable Julien Faure straps. Behind the scenes, the craftsmanship is there, too: the mechanics tap into everything the rolling green Jura region has to offer in the very first movement to come out of the partnership between Swiss experts La Joux-Perret and Besançon-based family-run company Humbert-Droz.

Across the French watchmaking scene, green is emerging as the new black, from understated olive-green dress watches to bright and bold alien-green high-tech pieces. Embodying the natural world and ever-flowing time, green is a gentle, welcome surprise that is flourishing well beyond ephemeral trends. A colourful side-street that lets brands explore time differently, giving them the freedom to experiment without straying too far from who they are, and empowering them to create watches designed for lasting appeal.