Charlie Paris’ new Grande Randonnée watches promise outdoorsy practicality at a reasonable price
Time+Tide
Charlie Paris is one of the oldest micro/independent brands (as they are traditionally called) with more than a decade of experience under its belt. Although the brand spent the better part of its existence offering dressy timepieces, in the past few years it has been exploring the sportier side of horology by releasing a series of divers, field watches, GMTs, and what we could best describe as “exploration” watches. Its newest collection, called Grande Randonnée (which means “Great Hike” in English), is such a type of watch and strikes a great balance between elegance and sportiness at a reasonable price.
The case
We’re actually looking at the second generation of the Grande Randonnée (GR). The first generation, released in 2018, was even sportier than this new second generation and therefore somewhat less versatile from a situational standpoint. The 2024 GR comes in two configurations – a quartz model with a 24-hour complication and a mecaquartz chronograph – and each comes in four colour options (beige, brown, blue and green.) Both versions have the exact same case measuring 39mm in diameter and 45mm lug-to-lug, although the GR 24 Hour model comes in with a total thickness of 9mm while the GR Chronograph measures 10.6mm. The cases have handsome, elongated profiles displaying horizontally brushed sides, vertically brushed upper sections, thin polished chamfers, and a fully brushed fixed bezel.
The key design element of the case that stands out the most is the straight lugs, which bend down towards the wrist close to the bezel – visually indicating that, from an ergonomic perspective, the GRs are meant to remain glued to your wrist. (And in practice, they do as well.) The lugs are therefore short, which explains the reasonable 45mm lug-to-lug. Both versions also come with small push/pull crowns endowed with deep knurling to make it easy to grab and operate them. The chronograph variant displays the same pattern on the 2 and 4-o’clock rectangular pushers which truly add a je-ne-sais-quoi of badassness to this model. To complete the package: domed sapphire crystals and 100 meters of water resistance.
The dial
While the two versions of the Charlie Paris GR have different movements, each offering different functionality, design-wise they both look very similar. (Duh.) They come with raised Arabic numerals for the hour markers, fully-polished and lumed baton-style hour and minute hands, and white seconds hands complemented by arrow-shaped tips. On the 24 Hour model, the marker at the six is replaced by a small arrow pointing up, and on the chronograph version the 3 and 9 markers are replaced by arrows pointing out while the six had to make way for a date aperture. Both versions come with recessed, fully graduated minute tracks where the five-minute increments are highlighted with whole numerals. On the minute track, we find the only plots of lume, located at the cardinal points.
Where these two models visually differ is based on the movements Charlie Paris used for each version. (More on that later.) As its name implies, the 24 Hour comes with a 24-hour indicator below the pinion – where we would normally find a running seconds sub-register – whilst the Chronograph has the 24-hour register at 3 o’clock and a 60-minute totalizer at 9 o’clock. (That and the fact that the chrono has a date aperture.) The Chronograph is therefore visually busier than the other model although I find both to be equally legible. The juxtaposition of matte dials with fully polished hands, along with the brushed/polished case, endow the Grande Randonnée models with a versatile visual identity which makes them appropriate for both adventure-oriented and dressier occasions.
The benefit of having a 24-hour indicator on both models is that it helps the wearer – should she or he be stuck in a cave or spend the winter in the northernmost part of Scandinavia, for example – to distinguish daytime from nighttime. This complication might only be useful for some wearers, but it certainly adds visual interest to these new GR models.
The strap
Both versions will be made available with either a two-piece fabric strap in various colours (including brown, blue, and black) complete with polished buckles, or a five-link stainless steel bracelet equipped with a double-pusher deployant clasp. The bracelet is also equipped with screwed links and both fastening options have quick-release spring bars for easy strap change. Note: the stainless steel bracelet helps elevate the overall profile of either model for the dressier moments.
The movement
As mentioned earlier, the two Grande Randonnée models come with two different calibres. The 24 Hour is equipped with a Seiko VH60 sweeping seconds quartz movement which ticks four times per second, has a 24-hour indicator and a stated battery life of two years. The Chronograph is equipped with a Seiko VK64 mechaquartz movement, a 24-hour indicator and 60-minute totalizer, and a stated battery life of three years.
Charlie Paris Grande Randonnée pricing & availability
Both versions of the Charlie Paris Grande Randonnée in all colour options will be available for pre-order on the brand’s website starting October 9th, 2024 with shipping estimated for the end of November 2024. Price: €225 (24 Hour, pre-order), €275 (24 Hour, RRP), €325 (Chrono, pre-order), €375 (Chrono, RRP)
| Brand | Charlie Paris |
| Model | Grande Randonnée 24 Hour Grande Randonnée Chronograph |
| Case Dimensions | 38mm (D) x 9mm (T) x 45mm (LTL) (24 Hour) 38mm (D) x 10.6mm (T) x 45mm (LTL) (Chronograph) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 100m |
| Crystal(s) | Domed sapphire |
| Dial | Beige, blue, green or brown |
| Lug Width | 20mm |
| Strap | Two-piece fabric strap or five-link stainless steel bracelet |
| Movement | Seiko VH60, quartz (24 Hour) Seiko VK64, mecaquartz (Chronograph) |
| Battery Life | 2 years (24 Hour) 3 years (Chronograph) |
| Availability | Pre-order from October 9th, 2024 |
| Price | €225 (24 Hour, pre-order) €275 (24 Hour, RRP) €325 (Chrono, pre-order) €375 (Chrono, RRP) |
Made in partnership with Charlie Paris. However, the opinions expressed in this article are our own in accordance with our Editorial Policy.