Perrelet: history, models and value

Founded

1777 (claimed by the brand); modern revival 1990s

Founder(s)

Abraham-Louis Perrelet (name origin)

Headquarters

Biel/Bienne

Owner / group

Revived brand, owned by Festina Group

Perrelet: origins and founding

Abraham-Louis Perrelet was a watchmaker in Le Locle, in what was then the Principality of Neuchâtel. Around 1777 he developed a self-winding mechanism: a weight inside the pocket watch moved as the wearer walked and wound the mainspring. Who exactly invented automatic winding first is still debated by historians, but Perrelet is one of the key names. He sold some of these watches to Abraham-Louis Breguet. He died in Le Locle in 1826, aged 97. His grandson Louis-Frédéric Perrelet made marine watches and chronographs.

The watch brand you can buy today has no continuous link to that workshop. It is a modern company that took up the historic name.

Perrelet history and milestones

• 1995: the Double Rotor, with a second, visible rotor on the dial side in addition to the winding rotor at the back.
• 2004: Miguel Rodriguez, owner of the Spanish Festina Group, buys Perrelet. The group also owns movement and component makers in Switzerland such as Soprod.
• 2007: Marc Bernhardt becomes CEO and positions the brand in the accessible luxury segment.
• Around 2009: the Turbine, with a turbine-like rotor on the dial, becomes the flagship. The Turbine EVO followed in 2019.
• 2021: the in-house calibre P-331-MH, made in Switzerland and certified by COSC and Chronofiable.

Famous Perrelet models

• Turbine: the best-known line, with a spinning blade rotor over the dial. Many sporty and limited versions exist.
• Double Rotor: the original signature model of the revived brand.
• Classic and complication models: moon phases, retrograde hours, skeleton chronographs and the Diamond Flower ladies' line.

Movements and technique

Perrelet watches are automatic. Earlier models of the revived brand often used ETA-based movements with Perrelet modules. Under Festina, more movement parts have been made within the group, and in 2021 the brand introduced its own P-331-MH calibre.

Perrelet today

Perrelet is based in Biel/Bienne and is run as a separate brand within the Festina Group. It sits in the mid-to-upper price segment, with an emphasis on visible, moving rotors as its design signature.

Perrelet prices on the pre-owned market

Perrelet is a niche brand on the used market. Like many smaller brands, pre-owned watches usually sell well below their original retail price. Turbine models in good condition and with box and papers are the easiest to sell. Limited editions and pieces with the newer in-house calibre may hold value somewhat better. Antique pocket watches signed by the historic Perrelet family are a separate, collector topic and should be assessed individually.

How to recognise a genuine Perrelet

Check that the reference and serial number on the caseback match the warranty card. On a Turbine, the rotor on the dial should turn freely and smoothly when you move the watch. Antique pocket watches signed Perrelet need an expert check of the movement and case signatures. See our guide on how to spot a fake watch.

What is your Perrelet worth?

Upload photos of the dial, caseback and papers for a free watch value estimate. If you need a formal document for an estate or insurance, you can order a written watch appraisal.

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