How to Pronounce Watch Brand Names?

There are watch brands you avoid mentioning in public for fear of mispronouncing them. IWC Schaffhausen, Linde Werdelin, A. Lange & Söhne, … If you read us …

So today, I’m suggesting a little phonetic tour of the major watch brands whose pronunciation proves tricky for French speakers.

Yes, from now on you’ll inspire respect in your listeners with your audacity in pronouncing this or that watch brand name without the slightest hesitation. That evening, they’ll go home and collapse in tears, in the shower in the foetal position, fully clothed, crushed by your confidence.

A. Lange & Söhne

Pronounce it “A langueu oune dzeunè”

Audemars Piguet

Pronounced “Audémarre piguè”

Breguet

Quite simply “Brégai”

Breitling

Like the Ultra toothpaste: “Brèille-tling”

DeWitt

“Deux vite”

Eberhard & Co

“ébeur Harte ènd co”

Girard Perregaux

“Girard Pérrégo”

Glashütte

Say “Glassutè”

H. Moser & Cie

“H Moseur oun Compagnie”

Hautlence

“Haute lance”

Hysek

“Izèk”

HYT

Pronounced “ètch wouaï ti”, but I’ve also heard “Hitte” (with a big, punchy H), or H-Y-T (the French way), and even “H-I-T”, even though the initials stand for Hydro Mechanical Horologists (i.e. hydro-mechanical watchmakers).

IWC Schaffhausen

“I-V-C Cha Faouzeune” (some also say chat fouze).

Jaquet Droz

“Jaquet Dro”

Jaeger-Lecoultre

Say “Gégère le coutre”

Linde Werdelin

“Linedeu Vert de lin”

Longines

Pronounced “Lonjine”.

Officine Panerai

Say “Offichiné Panne et raille”.

Richard Mille

Quite simply “Richard Mille” (not “Millè”, “Millé”, or “Maille leu”).

Speake Marin

“Spik Marine”

Tag heuer

“Tag oeuillère”

Van Cleef & Arpels

“Van clèf N arpèl”

N’hésitez pas à commenter si vous prononcez certains noms de marque autrement !

Thanks to Christel and Jacques for their contribution.