The Silent Service Standard: Auricoste LA ROYALE Type 32

Few watchmakers can claim a lineage as deeply entwined with military and naval history as Auricoste. Since its foundation in 1854, the brand has been the official timekeeper for the French Navy, earning the prestigious title of “Watchmaker to the Navy” as early as 1900.

This heritage is far more than just a marketing claim; it’s a commitment to precision and robustness forged in the most demanding environments on earth. The new Auricoste LA ROYALE Type 32 is the latest, most refined embodiment of that century-and-a-half-old tradition.

The name itself, La Royale, pays homage to the historical nickname of the French Navy, a moniker given by Louis XIV’s famed minister, Jean-Baptiste Colbert, and one that resonates with power and prestige. This watch is the continuation of a specific mission-oriented tradition that began with the iconic Type 20 in 1954, bringing that military DNA into a contemporary context that is both powerful and remarkably refined.

The most striking element of the Type 32 is its case, which Auricoste has dubbed “L’Invisible®.” This is not an exercise in massive, wrist-dominating bulk; instead, the case is a compact 37mm in diameter and an ultra-thin 11mm in thickness, designed for refined stealth.

The design is a direct and silent homage to the French nuclear submarines—also nicknamed L’Invisible—which Auricoste historically equipped with timekeeping systems.

It is crafted from brushed and polished 316L stainless steel with a subtle visual architecture of three-level angles and broken edges, resulting in a watch that is discreet to the eye and practically imperceptible when worn, offering absolute comfort and a refined silhouette.

Housed within this cleverly designed case is the heart of the timepiece, the Soprod Newton P092 caliber. This is no ordinary movement; it is the Newton P092 COSC LA ROYALE, which has been certified by the Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres (COSC) for its exceptional accuracy.

This means the movement is guaranteed to run within a tight -4/+6 seconds per day, a level of precision that few brands achieve at this price point. Furthermore, the calibre benefits from Chronofiable® certification, having successfully endured rigorous, accelerated aging cycles at the renowned Laboratoire Dubois.

This includes extreme tests involving massive temperature fluctuations, humidity variations, and 20,000 indirect shocks, confirming its readiness for the harshest real-world conditions.

Visible through a screw-down case back with a window, the movement is a beautiful piece of engineering, decorated with Côtes de Genève, blued screws, and a specific oscillating weight in the shape of a propeller—a decorative and purposeful nod to the SNA type moving propeller that Auricoste’s timekeeping networks have historically equipped.

With a 44-hour power reserve, the movement features an Incabloc® double cone shock absorber system for enhanced protection against shocks and vibrations, reinforcing its tool-watch credentials.

The Type 32 is available in two striking options: a classic Black Enamel Dial and a Sun-Glass Blue Dial, which is limited to just 200 units. Both feature a unidirectional rotating ceramic bezel with 120 clicks and Super-LumiNova Old Radium blue on the hands, indices, and bezel for perfect readability even at a 200m depth rating.

The watch, which starts From €2,150, is delivered with a complete kit for the adventurer, including a waterproof case, a bracelet tool, and a choice of steel, Tropic FKM diving, and calfskin or suede leather straps. This latest creation is a true fusion of military heritage and contemporary sophistication, offering chronometer-certified performance in a compact, elegant package.