Hegid Unveils Its First 100% French Movement: the Specimen FE-01
The watchmaking Maison Hegid, known for its evolutionary approach to horology, is taking a crucial step in its development by unveiling its first movement made entirely in France: the Specimen FE-01 Calibre. With this new calibre, Hegid underscores its commitment to France’s watchmaking heritage by bringing the production of its movements back onto national soil. Robust and high-performing, this movement strengthens the brand’s position within the revival of French watchmaking.
A movement with French roots
Since its founding, Hegid has cultivated a strong French identity in the world of watchmaking. With the launch of the Specimen FE-01 Calibre, the bulk of Hegid watch production is now concentrated in the French Jura Arc, a region whose watchmaking know-how has been recognised by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. For Hegid, this decision is far more than a simple industrial move; it is a return to its roots for a Maison that aims to anchor its work in the French watchmaking legacy—one that once dominated the sector.
The development of this calibre is built on a collaboration with France Ebauches, recently relaunched by the Festina group. The historic manufacture—once among the world’s largest producers of mechanical movements—is now enjoying a second life thanks to this reindustrialisation effort. France Ebauches is thus responsible for producing Hegid’s new calibres, highlighting the potential for renewal within the French watch industry.
The Specimen FE-01 Calibre: power and performance
The Specimen FE-01 Calibre was designed to deliver robustness and longevity, enabling Hegid watches to be passed down through generations. Inspired by a proven movement base from Soprod, this automatic movement features high-level technical specifications that meet the standards of major Swiss maisons. The calibre beats at 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour), ensuring remarkable timekeeping precision, with a rate deviation of -4 to +6 seconds per day.
With a 44-hour power reserve, the Specimen FE-01 Calibre guarantees comfortable autonomy for everyday wear. Among its notable technical features are the Incabloc® double-cone system and a full balance bridge, which ensure the strength of the regulating organ in the face of shocks. These characteristics give the watch enhanced resistance and stability, making Hegid timepieces a durable and reliable choice for watch enthusiasts.
A refined watchmaking aesthetic
The Specimen FE-01 is not only a precision movement; it is also a tribute to the art of watchmaking through its carefully considered design. The rhodium-plated mainplate, engraved with the Hegid monogram and the inscription “Calibre Specimen FE-01”, adds a touch of elegance, while the skeletonised balance bridge offers a view of the regulating organ. In addition, the gold-toned oscillating weight—openworked and engraved with the word “Evolution”—echoes the brand’s concept of adaptability.
Hegid has succeeded in combining aesthetics and robustness in this movement, which will become the beating heart of every capsule across the brand’s collections. This attention to detail recalls the artisanal know-how and precision required to create an exceptional calibre, while remaining faithful to Hegid’s elegant, timeless visual identity.
A brand in the service of evolutionary watchmaking
Hegid has stood out in the industry by offering modular watches designed to evolve with their owners’ desires and needs. Thanks to its EVOL concept, each Hegid watch can be transformed in a matter of seconds by simply changing its case, its capsule, or its strap. This innovative concept gives Hegid owners the ability to personalise their timepiece without sacrificing quality or durability.
With the integration of the Specimen FE-01 Calibre, Hegid strengthens its promise of adaptable, durable luxury watchmaking. This calibre provides a reliable foundation for watches that can be handed down from generation to generation without losing any of their lustre or performance.
The renaissance of French watchmaking
The return of a calibre made in France is part of a broader trend to reinvigorate the French watch industry. While France was long a pioneer in the art of watchmaking, the upheavals of the 1990s marked a turning point, with the closure of many manufactures. However, a new generation of brands and manufactures—such as Hegid and France Ebauches—is now reinventing this heritage by combining tradition and innovation.
By launching the Specimen FE-01, Hegid signals its ambition to become a key player in this renewal. The decision to bring calibre production back home demonstrates a desire to commit to local manufacturing and to encourage the international reach of French watchmaking know-how.
A future geared towards evolution
For Hegid, the launch of the Specimen FE-01 Calibre is a major milestone that embodies the Maison’s motto: “Make your Evolution”. This vision, inspired by Darwinian adaptability, invites every wearer to evolve and to make their style their own. Through this innovation, Hegid is offering not merely a watch, but a concept that celebrates individuality and transformation.
With the Specimen FE-01 Calibre, Hegid is not only asserting its place in luxury watchmaking; it is redefining its contours by combining performance, aesthetics, and modularity. This movement—born of a creative vision and local manufacturing—carries the ambition of a Maison that is bringing French watchmaking into the 21st century.
