The enduring French brand has released the latest addition to the Monceau series, a classic timepiece that adds to an already strong offering.

French watchmaker Saint Honoré has been around for well over a century now, and the company is showing no obvious signs of abating. Based on an ethos of high level craftsmanship and innovation – and of course influenced by one of the most elegant cities in the world – the watchmaker keeps on turning out solid timepieces year by year.

Paris is the inspiration behind Saint Honoré, and the brand name comes from a street in the City of Lights. As a result, many of its watches are symbols of the French art de vivre.

But the brand has also been making the rounds in artistic and sporting circles. On the art scene, it has been active alongside famous painters and photographers. And you might have also noticed their presence at world-renowned sporting events like the America’s Cup or the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Perhaps the most iconic of the brand’s timepieces so far – and admittedly my favorite - is the Tour Eiffel Collector model. The 42mm steel Swiss made timepiece is elegant yet innovative, and embodies Paris through and through.

The watch – first introduced in 2015 - was made to mark the brand’s 130th anniversary, and it features a special element. It was the first ever to use a piece of steel girder from the Eiffel Towel itself to fashion the bezel. At its centre, it reveals the wheel train of the automatic mechanical movement, personalized by Saint Honoré.

This year, the model was updated slightly. The 2017 edition is now equipped with an original small second hand which is meant to echo the elevator wheels of the famous French monument. It typically retails for a shade under 3,000 euros.

For something a little bit more understated, and indeed more affordable, there is the new 41mm edition of the Monceau timepiece. Retailing for about 850 euros, the new watch is a well-priced for those looking for an elegant and balanced timekeeper.

The Swiss made watch is packaged in a well-sized 41mm stainless steel case that looks a bit smaller on the wrist thanks to the fluted rose gold PVD finish bezel and the brown sunray dial. A fluted crown completes the look, complemented by hands and indices in the same rose PVD finish.