Starting in 2024, the year of its 50th anniversary, Pequignet embarked on a restructuring of its brand strategy. Leading this upscaling strategy is Patrick Zing, who joined the company as Managing Director that same year. He has now made his first visit to Japan, bringing his latest collection with him.
Photograph by Yu Mitamura
Tomoyo Takai: Interview and text
Text by Tomoyo Takai
Edited by Yukiya Suzuki (Chronos-Japan)
[Article published in the July 2026 issue of Kronos Japan]
Our mission is to make the French watch industry flourish again.
Born in Biel, Switzerland in 1972, he spent approximately 16 years at the Swatch Group, working with Swatch, Hamilton, and Rado, leading reforms as part of the top team. Subsequently, he successfully restructured SIGG at a US investment firm. From 2015, as the head of management at Graham, he spearheaded cost reductions and the establishment of US and Chinese subsidiaries, achieving profitability within four years. In 2024, he joined Pequignet and became Managing Director.
The unveiling featured two new models from the revamped "Royale" collection: the hand-wound "Royale Paris II Manuale" and the automatic "Royale Paris II" with a coral-colored dial. Both are equipped with the brand's signature in-house movement, the "Calibre Royale."
Regarding the design direction, Zing explains: "The base hasn't changed from before. However, we've kept the case diameter under 40mm and emphasized a sense of three-dimensionality. We've used the 'gouge' (groove) design on the middle case, lugs, outer edge of the dial, and even the crown, and by contrasting multiple finishes, we've expressed a sense of depth through light reflection." The adherence to the traditional layout is an homage to the early model, "Royale Origin." "This isn't a revolution, it's an evolution. Rather than doing something completely different, we're refining something excellent in the right direction."
Equipped with the in-house Calibre Royal Cal.EPM02 movement, which holds eight patents. This is the first model after the design refresh. The silver opaline dial features gouges (recesses) around the outer edge, with bar indices placed on top to create a three-dimensional effect. The case retains the design of the add-on lugs, while the bezel width has been narrowed to improve legibility. Calf leather strap. Manual winding. 21 jewels. 21,600 vibrations/hour. Power reserve of approximately 100 hours. Stainless steel case (diameter 39.5mm, thickness 11.5mm). 880,000 yen (including tax).
The company also provided a clear explanation regarding the reorganization of its collections. The previously mixed-name Royal line has been consolidated into "Royale Origin" and "Royale Paris II," redefining the former as the starting point and the latter as the evolved form. Going forward, the company plans to develop the evolved Royal Paris II and the sporty "Concorde" as the two main pillars of the brand. "Pequignet's movement is at a very high level. This restructuring is a corrective measure to re-emphasize that underlying strength."
Pequignet is both a brand of finished products and a manufacture that designs every single screw in-house. Currently, over 60% of the movements in the Calibre Royal (EPM01, 02) and approximately 80% in the Calibre Initial (EPM03) are made in France. Hands and bracelets can already be sourced 100% domestically in France. On the other hand, some key components such as dials and balance springs still have to be sourced from Switzerland. That's why Zing says Pequignet's mission is to cultivate domestic suppliers, mainly in the Franche-Comté region, and to strengthen the foundation of the French watch industry from a long-term perspective.
Aiming to revive France's reputation as the "City of Watches," Pequignet has clearly established its position as a "successor to French watchmaking culture." This intention to be a leading figure in this movement is reflected in the recent reorganization and new creations.
