Fine watchmaking loves noble materials, such as gold and platinum. However, they are not really the most suitable in practice!  They are extremely heavy, very expensive and particularly sensitive to scratches. But they have the prestige of rarity and history, and that should be left to them. On the other hand, for daily use, one can surely do better.

Therefore, at the beginning of the century, several independent watchmakers proposed very audacious alternatives that went beyond the framework of traditional materials. After gold, steel and platinum, titanium made its appearance. And after it, carbon! It has the same properties as titanium but develops them much further: it is more technical, more resistant and lighter. Moreover, it comes from sectors with which watchmaking claims a certain proximity, such as motor racing and aerospace.

A thousand thanks

The first major brand to have imposed carbon in its collections was Richard Mille (thousand in French). The man not only imposed the material, but also a very high level of finishing, prestigious complications such as the tourbillon, and above all a six-figure price tag that immediately put carbon on the same level as gold or platinum. The gamble was quickly won, and carbon found its place in the hearts of collectors in record time.

Subsequently, Richard Mille kept the flame alive by developing multiple variations of carbon, such as TPT and graphene. He also got all his fans to adopt it, including Rafael Nadal. Since then, carbon has become cool. But why?

Because it is more solid!

Today, when you are young, active and urban, you need a watch that can withstand almost anything! Carbon is the ideal material to face the challenges of everyday life, but also the explorations of the world. Therefore, it is as much on the surface, as at Zenith with a reference like the Defy Extreme Carbon, as in depth, with the Doxa SUB 300 Carbon. Carbon can go anywhere, from the Mariana Trench to the top of Mount Everest.

Because it adapts

Until 20 years ago, carbon was used almost exclusively for the construction of the watch case. Gradually, it has been extended to other elements of the watch case, such as the bezel or the crown. This is a really clever choice, because just after the case, it is very often these two components, the bezel and the crown, which are the most exposed to the hazards of daily life. With their carbon construction, there is nothing to fear anymore, the material can easily take all the shocks! Nevertheless, there is still a small margin of progress: it would be interesting, for example, to develop a carbon folding clasp, but it does not yet exist on a large scale, although it is also very exposed to knocks and scratches.

Because it is unique

Genuine forged carbon, not just woven carbon fibre, offers a truly unique look! The material is moulded at very high pressure and thanks to this, it will never offer the same appearance, the same reflections, the same shades of grey twice. Buying a carbon watch is truly buying a unique piece of watchmaking!

Because it can be kept (and its value too...)

Carbon is an unalterable material, unaffected by scratches, sunlight, salt, corrosion and humidity. In short, you will have understood, it resists everything! Its colour also remains the same, as does its waterproofing and its surface, which is always soft, pleasant and at room temperature. In the end, it is therefore totally impossible to tell the difference between a new carbon watch and the same one second-hand. Buying a carbon watch is therefore also a guarantee that you will be able to resell it in the same condition, at almost the same price, thanks to an aesthetic that has not changed one iota over the years.

Because it is versatile!

In the past, carbon was the prerogative of sports watches. This is no longer the case today: all brands have carbon references, from the most prestigious such as Bulgari, Purnell, Hublot, to the sportiest such as TAG Heuer, Graham or Roger Dubuis. Thanks to the diversity of these brands, it is now possible to wear a carbon watch to the gym as well as with a suit at the office. The material is fully accepted and has become conventional in contemporary watchmaking.

Because it has become more democratic

Once reserved for very prestigious brands, carbon has now been extended to all levels of the market. It is possible to afford a watch made entirely of carbon composite at a very high level, as well as a much more affordable everyday watch with simply a bezel or crown protector made of this material. Many brands, many components and a certain aesthetic diversity thanks to colour inserts within the carbon itself: from the first price to the unique piece, everyone can find what they are looking for (in carbon).

And now that you know everything about carbon, all you should do is make your choice!