Since 1975, the Newport has been Michel Herbelin’s iconic watch. Recognized for its architectural curves, integrated case, and perfect proportions, it embodies fifty years of French watchmaking expertise. This guide takes you through the entire collection, from affordable quartz models to exceptional mechanical automatics.

When we talk about Michel Herbelin, we’re talking first and foremost about the Newport. This watch, created in 1975 in the workshop in Charancieu, Isère, has achieved what few French watches have: it has become a timeless classic, recognized by connoisseurs and embraced by successive generations, all while remaining a family business.

Unlike the Swiss giants, which boast astronomical production volumes, Michel Herbelin remains an independent watchmaker, led by Laurent Herbelin, the founder’s son. Every Newport is designed in Charancieu, featuring carefully selected Swiss movements. It is this harmony—French craftsmanship, Swiss movements, and timeless design—that is the Newport’s strength.

In 2026, the Newport collection features more than twenty models, ranging from a quartz date watch priced at €549 to a carbon-titanium chronograph priced at €3,500. Here's how to navigate the collection.

The History of the Newport: 50 Years of a French Classic

Michel Herbelin founded his watchmaking house in 1947 in Charancieu, a village in the Isère department, drawing on the watchmaking tradition for which the Dauphiné region is renowned. In 1975, he launched the Newport, a name inspired by major regattas, nautical elegance, the open sea, and freedom.

The timing is remarkable. In 1975, the global watch industry was undergoing an existential crisis triggered by the influx of Japanese quartz watches. Many French watchmakers disappeared or were absorbed into larger groups. Herbelin took the opposite approach: it launched a signature collection featuring a strong visual identity, an instantly recognizable case, and an accessible high-end positioning.

It has more than lived up to expectations. The Newport has weathered the decades without a wrinkle. It adapts—with new materials, new movements, and new color schemes—yet retains its architectural DNA. Today, fifty years after its launch, it is one of the few French watches that can claim the status of an absolute classic.

The Architecture That Defines Newport

What immediately sets a Newport apart from an ordinary watch is the quality of its design. Three features are always present:

1. The integrated housing

The Newport has no distinct lugs; its straps blend seamlessly into the bracelet or steel band. This visual continuity is difficult to achieve (it requires meticulous design and craftsmanship) but gives the watch a fluid elegance and the feel of a single, seamless piece.

2. Perfect readability

The Newport dial follows a simple rule: you should be able to tell the time at a glance. Understated hour markers, precisely sized hands, and a dial face free of visual clutter. At Herbelin, less is more—and has been since 1975.

3. The bracelet, designed as an extension of the case

On the steel versions, the links are designed to fit seamlessly into the lugs. On the leather versions, the width of the strap matches the width of the lugs exactly. This attention to detail goes unnoticed until you look closely—and once you do, you’ll never want to be without it.

1. Newport Quartz Date Blue Textile, €549 · The First Step Toward Legend

It’s the perfect introduction to the Newport world. At €549, this model offers everything that has made the collection famous: high-quality craftsmanship, a perfectly legible dial, and a fabric strap that makes the watch lightweight and breathable. The navy blue pairs just as well with a white shirt as it does with a cashmere sweater.

The quartz movement with date display is a practical choice: accurate to within 15 seconds per month, with no need for winding, and ideal for everyday wear. The date is discreetly displayed at the 3 o'clock position. It’s the Newport for everyday life—the one you reach for without hesitation, the one you forget you’re wearing, and the one you’ll never part with.

Who is it for? First-time Herbelin buyers. Men who want a high-quality French watch without sacrificing comfort. Those who travel and prefer fabric straps to steel ones in hot weather.

2. Newport Originals Blue Leather and Yellow Gold, €549 · The Original DNA

The Newport Originals is the watch just as it was in 1975. Herbelin has reissued it exactly as it was, with the same 36-mm diameter, the same blue sunburst dial, and the same triangular hour markers characteristic of the first editions. It’s a lesson in style: fifty years after its launch, this design hasn’t aged a bit.

The yellow gold-plated case against a blue background is a combination that immediately evokes France’s great nautical tradition, Atlantic regattas, large white sails, and the blue of the Mediterranean. It is no coincidence that the Newport is called “Newport”: there is something inherently nautical about this model—aristocratic without being ostentatious.

Who is it for? The connoisseur who wants the original, not the modernized version. Someone who appreciates the history of watchmaking and wears a watch with the satisfaction of knowing what it represents. The perfect gift for a special anniversary.

3. Newport Slim Quartz Blue Alligator Leather, €589 · The Dressy Newport

The Newport Slim is the dress watch of the collection—the one you wear under a white shirt at an important meeting, a dinner, or a special event. At 7 mm thick, it slips effortlessly under any sleeve. The alligator leather is meticulously crafted: it has a fine grain, feels firm yet supple, and ages gracefully.

The absence of a date on this model is a deliberate choice. On a slim dress watch, the date window disrupts the balance of the dial. Herbelin wisely chose to offer a streamlined version that adheres to the unwritten rule of fine watchmaking: for an evening watch, simplicity is key.

Who is it for? The man who wears suits, who has lunch in the city, who wants a watch that says something about him without being too flashy. The Newport Slim is the watch for the discreet and ambitious.

4. Newport Chrono Quartz, Stainless Steel with Brown Leather Strap, €699 · The Elegant Sports Watch

With its 43mm case and two chronograph subdials, the Newport Chrono Quartz marks a departure from the rest of the collection. Here, we move from an elegant timepiece to a sporty watch with character. The quartz chronograph is incredibly precise, measuring time to the fraction of a second with absolute reliability.

The brown saddle leather with contrasting stitching is a remarkable detail at this price point. This is the kind of finish typically associated with Swiss brands priced at €1,500. Here, Herbelin proves that French quality can hold its own—at a more reasonable price.

A water resistance rating of 10 ATM (100 m) is generous for a watch of this type; you can swim, dive from the shore, and enjoy water sports without any worries.

Who is it for? The active man who doesn't want to choose between performance and elegance. The man who wants a sports watch that's still appropriate for the office on Monday morning.

5. Newport Automatic Steel, €1,150 · The movement as a selling point

At €1,150, the Newport Automatic represents a major leap in quality. It moves beyond the practical precision of quartz into the realm of vibrant mechanical movement. The Swiss automatic movement winds itself through the natural movement of the wrist, beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour—it is said to “breathe” at the body’s own rhythm.

The transparent sapphire crystal case back allows you to watch this mechanical ballet at all times. Turning the watch over to watch the rotor spin is a simple pleasure that never loses its appeal over time. This is what watch enthusiasts call “mechanical magic”: a machine that comes to life on your wrist.

The integrated steel bracelet carries on the Newport tradition, with links featuring alternating polished and brushed surfaces and a discreet folding clasp. The finish is on par with that of a €2,000 watch from certain Swiss competitors. Here, you’re paying for French design and build quality without paying for the name of a watchmaking capital.

Who is it for? The watch enthusiast who is taking the leap into mechanical watches. Someone who wants to understand and appreciate the difference between a quartz watch and an automatic watch. A memorable birthday or retirement gift.

6. Newport Diver Automatic Blue Steel, €1,350 · The Prestigious Diver's Watch

The Newport Diver is the sportiest and most technically advanced model in the collection. Certified to ISO 6425, the international standard for dive watches, it is water-resistant to a depth of 300 meters. The unidirectional rotating bezel allows you to safely measure dive time (unidirectional = it can only be accidentally adjusted in the safe direction).

The blue gradient dial reflects light differently depending on the time of day—deep blue in the morning, almost cobalt blue in direct sunlight. The luminescent hour markers remain legible even at great depths. It is a sports watch crafted with the same care as a collector’s timepiece.

What sets this Diver apart from similarly priced competitors is that it retains the Newport DNA. You can immediately recognize Herbelin’s signature style in the case shape, the proportions of the dial, and the quality of the finishes. This isn’t just a generic, rebranded diver’s watch—it’s a Newport that’s built for diving.

Who is it for? The amateur or experienced diver who wants a true sports watch with the style of a French brand. Anyone who enjoys water sports and refuses to sacrifice style for performance.

Comparison Chart: The 6 Newport Models at a Glance

How to Choose Your Newport?

If your budget is between €500 and €600

You can choose from three excellent models. The Newport Quartz Date Textile if you wear your watch every day and value comfort. The Newport Originals Yellow Gold if you want the authenticity of the original 1975 model. The Newport Slim Alligator if you wear suits and need a slim, dressy watch.

If your budget is between €600 and €800

The Newport Chrono Quartz is the obvious choice. It offers a striking presence on the wrist (43 mm), a precise chronograph function, and water resistance (10 ATM) that makes it suitable for all water sports. It’s also the most versatile Newport model.

If you'd like a mechanical movement

The Newport Automatic, priced at €1,150, is the perfect entry point into Herbelin’s mechanical watches. It features a sapphire case back for viewing the movement, a 38-hour power reserve, and the unique experience of a watch that “comes to life” on your wrist. If you also enjoy water sports, the Newport Diver, priced at €1,350, adds 300-meter water resistance and ISO 6425 certification.

Frequently Asked Questions, Michel Herbelin Newport

Is the Newport really made in France?

The Newport is designed and assembled in France, in Charancieu in the Isère department, where Michel Herbelin has been headquartered since 1947. The movements used are Swiss—a standard in high-end French watchmaking for decades. To say that a watch is “French” means that its design, assembly, and finish are French. This is true of the Newport.

What is the difference between the Newport Quartz and the Newport Automatic?

Quartz watches are accurate, practical, and require little maintenance (just a battery change every 3–5 years). Automatic watches wind themselves through the movement of the wrist, are more accurate over time, and offer the aesthetic pleasure of visible mechanical movement. In practice: quartz for hassle-free everyday wear, automatic for the full watchmaking experience. Both are Swiss-made, and both are of excellent quality.

Is the Newport a good fit for a woman?

Yes, Michel Herbelin produces Newport models designed specifically for women (34–36 mm dials, available in gold and mother-of-pearl finishes). The Newport Originals is available in a women’s version (ref. 14255T35). Cases up to 39 mm also look great on unisex wrists. Browse our complete selection to find the size that’s right for you.

Is Michel Herbelin a luxury brand?

Herbelin falls into the " accessible luxury " or "premium" segment. It is more affordable than the major Swiss brands (IWC, Zenith, Longines, starting at €1,500), but its level of craftsmanship and quality is comparable to what one finds at much higher price points among pure luxury brands. This is precisely what watch enthusiasts refer to as “the best value for money in French luxury.”

How long does a Michel Herbelin Newport watch last?

A well-maintained Newport will last for several decades. The Swiss movements used are designed to operate for 20 to 30 years with periodic servicing (every 5–8 years for an automatic watch, battery replacement for a quartz watch). Many owners have been wearing their Newports since the 1980s without any major issues—that’s the very definition of a watch investment.

Where can I buy a Michel Herbelin watch in France?

Club de la Montre offers one of the widest selections of Michel Herbelin watches online, with items in stock and ready to ship, free shipping, and after-sales service in France. You’ll also receive personalized advice to help you choose the right model based on your needs and budget.