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In the “Who wears what?” section. “, we have already dissected the wrists of Sébastien Lecornu, Emmanuel Macron, Sarah Knafo, Jordan Bardella, Éric Zemmour and many others. It was time to tackle another French politician: Édouard Philippe, former Prime Minister and mayor of Le Havre.
Her clothing style is reassuringly classic, but her watches tell an interesting trajectory: first an accessible Frenchwoman, the Lip Himalayathen a passage into the very closed circle of Bell & Ross published for the Prime Minister’s Security Group (GSPM), before remaining faithful to the iconic BR 03 square in an even more stealthy black version.
Less publicized than the controversies over his presidential ambitions, his wrist nevertheless expresses something very clear: a real coherence between function, image and timepiece. We unfold.
Édouard Philippe, the anti-bling who loves tool watches
Unlike certain political leaders who are spotted by a too-showy tourbillon or a rose gold bezel that shines more than their program, Édouard Philippe remains in a sober line: legible, robust watches, more of a “tool” than “jewel” inspiration. No diamond, no unnecessary complications. Just the time, sometimes the date, and a solid impression of seriousness.
We can distinguish three major stages in its public watchmaking history:
- a Lip phase with the Himalaya 40 mm at the start of his national career;
- a Bell & Ross “GSPM” phasewith a BR 03 in steel produced in 50 examples for the Prime Minister’s Security Group;
- a Bell & Ross matt black phasestill based on BR 03, which we still see today on his wrist, probably a special version bearing the image of the same security group.
Only three watches visible, but a common thread: serious tools, military at heart, and a certain taste for brands that speak to law enforcement or professionals.
Lip Himalaya 40 mm: the French debut, sober and solid
An emblematic model of French watchmaking
Before the military-aeronautical square of Bell & Ross, Édouard Philippe was photographed for a long time with a Lip Himalaya 40 Classic ref. 671547 on the wrist. A French watch, made in Besançon, which fits well with the image of the elected official who appears to be attached to the territories and to a certain idea of national industry.
The Himalaya collection is not just any Lip: it dates back to the 1950s and owes its name to the alpine exploits of Lionel Terray and Maurice Herzog, the man from Annapurna. At the time, the watch was sold as “chosen by nine out of ten mountaineers” for its resistance to shock and the elements. She even accompanied stages of the Tour de France.
Characteristics of the Lip Himalaya 40 worn by Édouard Philippe
- Diameter : 40mm (round silver dial)
- Housing: stainless steel, chrome finish
- Movement : analog quartz (a Ronda), central second hand and date at 3 o’clock
- Waterproofing: 5 bar (50 m) – more than enough to withstand a downpour in Le Havre or a spilled coffee in Matignon
- Glass : mineral
- Bracelet : brown leather, classic pin buckle
- Public price: 199 euros.
A simple, readable, unpretentious watch, which tells the story of a still “normal” man, at a time when those around him were not yet thinking of giving him a limited edition stamped “Prime Minister’s Security Group”.
Bell & Ross BR 03-92 GSPM: the watch of the Prime Minister’s Security Group
When Bell & Ross equips state security services
By joining Matignon in 2017, Édouard Philippe changed categories… and watches. Bell & Ross, a Franco-Swiss brand specializing in instrument watches inspired by airplane cockpits, has formed a partnership with several state close protection units: GSPR (President), GSPM (Prime Minister) and GSMA (Ministers of Defense).
For these services, the brand produced very limited series based on BR 03-92 with the logo of each unit at 6 o’clock. In the case of GSPMthe watch is a BR 03 in steel “Black Steel Security 1st Minister”published only 50 copies.
We know, from photos and resale announcements, that this model bears the words BR 03-92 on the dial, a 42 mm steel case and above all the coat of arms of the Prime Minister’s Security Group in a medallion at 6 o’clock, instead of a simple index.
Characteristics of the Bell & Ross BR 03-92 “Premier Security”
The technical basis is very close to the standard BR 03-92 Black Steel:
- Housing: 41 mm, polished-satin stainless steel, iconic Bell & Ross square shape
- Movement : automatic caliber BR-CAL.302, approximately 54 hours of power reserve
- Dial: black, large Arabic numerals 12-3-6-9, stick indexes, hands and indexes coated with Super-LumiNova for maximum readability day and night
- Glass : sapphire with anti-reflective treatment
- Waterproofing: 100m
- Bracelet : black rubber and ultra-resistant synthetic canvas, steel pin buckle
- Limited series: 50 pieces intended for members of the GSPM, sometimes then resold on the second-hand market with box, papers and explicit mention of the special edition.
We are here on a pure tool watch: legible, very robust, designed for men who spend their time running around a Prime Minister, not for taking a selfie with a golden wrist.
Bell & Ross BR 03-92 Black Matte: continuity in stealth mode
A black BR 03 like an official night convoy
Since leaving Matignon, Édouard Philippe has been regularly photographed with a Bell & Ross BR 03 blacktone-on-tone case and dial. Everything indicates that it is a variant BR 03-92 Black Matte BR03A-BL-CE/SRBemblematic model of the brand in matte black ceramic.
The images suggest the same type of dial as the steel GSPM, with the logo at 6 o’clock, which suggests another special series intended for the same group, but in an all-black version. Bell & Ross has indeed produced its BR 03-92 in matte ceramic for different elite corps, on the same technical basis.
Features of the BR 03 Black Matte
- Housing: 41 mm, micro-blasted black ceramic, square shape, fully black-treated middles and lugs
- Movement : automatic BR-CAL.302, approximately 54 hours of power reserve
- Dial: deep black, Arabic numerals 12-3-6-9 and indexes covered with white Super-LumiNova, highly contrasting baton hands
- Glass : sapphire with anti-reflective treatment
- Waterproofing: 100m
- Bracelet : black rubber and synthetic canvas, black PVD pin buckle
- New price (standard version): €4,300
A trio of watches perfectly suited to the character
From Lip Himalaya to Bell & Ross: a logical progression
If we look at this trio of watches as a mini-collection, we find a very coherent thread:
- French roots: Lip first, then Bell & Ross, which remains a house founded in Paris before being assembled in Switzerland. We are far from the deluge of yellow gold Rolexes or platinum Pateks.
- Tool Watches: Himalaya born on the summits, BR 03 born in the cockpits and adopted by special forces. No unnecessary complications, no paved bezel.
- “Politically defensible” prices: a Lip for less than €200, then Bell & Ross for around €3,500–4,000. We are talking about beautiful objects, but we are far from the budgets for a major tax reform.
- Symbolism of the function: the GSPM limited series literally embodies its time at Matignon: the wrist becomes a sort of discreet badge, intended for those who know.
Readable watches for a man who wants to remain “clear”
We can also read this wrist as a metaphor for its political positioning: ultra-readable dials, straight typography, zero fantasy. Even his watch refuses ambiguity: unlike some campaign speeches, the time, at least, is always perfectly clear.
In the end, Édouard Philippe’s watches say more about him than many interviews: attachment to seriousness, taste for professional tools, loyalty to a few brands rather than compulsive dispersion (that said, he must have received them free of charge). A small collection, but which has more coherence than many legislative programs.
FAQ: everything you need to know about Édouard Philippe’s watches
What watches does Édouard Philippe wear?
Three models have been clearly identified:
- Lip Himalaya 40 Classic ref. 671547 (quartz, 40 mm, French manufacture).
- Bell & Ross BR 03-92 “Prime Minister Security” GSPMlimited series of 50 steel pieces with the logo of the Prime Minister’s Security Group at 6 o’clock.
- Bell & Ross BR 03-92 Black Matte (most likely a special edition linked to the GSPM, based on BR 03-92 black ceramic).
Is the Lip Himalaya by Édouard Philippe a luxury watch?
No. It’s an accessible French watch, around €190 new. Steel case, quartz movement, manufactured in Besançon. Above all, it has a beautiful story and a very successful design for the price.
How much does the Prime Minister’s Bell & Ross BR 03-92 GSPM cost?
The GSPM version is not sold to the public. On the second-hand market, the rare examples that pass between individuals or specialized resellers are generally between €3,500 and €4,000 depending on the condition and the set (box, papers, GSPM card, etc.).
Is his BR 03-92 Black Matte the same watch as the GSPM?
Technically, it is based on the same architecture (BR 03-92, 42 mm, automatic movement, 100 m water resistance). The difference lies in the material of the case (matte black ceramic) and the dial. The photos strongly suggest that this is a GSPM variant, but Bell & Ross does not communicate publicly on these highly confidential editions.
Does he have any other watches?
Probably, like any reasonable amateur. But only these three have been clearly identified by public photos and cross-checks with brand catalogs. The rest concerns Édouard Philippe’s private life… and our role here is to analyze the wrist, not to search the bedside table.
