Carlingue

Carlingue is an independent watch house founded by French designer Alexandre Voirin, a native of Besançon — the historic capital of French watchmaking. A former Creative Director at Longines and recipient of the prestigious Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève in 2017, he now channels his experience, talent, and vision into something deeply personal: a watchmaking brand built on character, independence, and a profound connection to history.

The history of watchmaking, rooted in the Jura Arc. The history of the 20th century, told through timepieces that revive the design codes of military watches — from the early 1900s through the 1960s. The history of tattooing, brought to life through collaborations with acclaimed tattoo artists who reinterpret vintage tattoo motifs directly onto watch straps. Carlingue has a spirit, a soul, and an undeniable legitimacy — but above all, a genuine identity of its own.

The Jura Arc? More than a choice — an obvious one. Straddling the border between France and Switzerland, this region has concentrated the essential crafts of the trade for centuries: design, technical development, manufacturing, and assembly. These skills in watchmaking mechanics and artistic mechanics, recognized by UNESCO, form the living heritage that drives the brand’s standards. And rather than getting drawn into debates over national labels, Carlingue simply claims what matters: its watches are conceived and designed in France, at the heart of this singular watchmaking ecosystem. Each piece carries the “Designed in France” mark — a natural signature for a project driven, first and foremost, by its creator’s vision and craft.

Often produced in limited series, Carlingue watches speak to independent watchmaking enthusiasts in search of pieces with real character — timepieces rooted in military history, yet conceived for contemporary minds who reject convention and choose to stand apart.