The Paul Picot brand was founded in 1976 by Mario Boiocchi. It may sound incredible to some that such a young company managed to find its niche in the very conservative world of luxury watches in a very short time. The development of Paul Picot occurred during the crisis years in Swiss watch manufacturing – a period of heavy competition with Japanese and American producers. Despite this, Mario Boiocchi created a company that focused on Haute Horlogerie and the preservation of the traditions of Swiss watchmaking art. At a time of development of electronic technologies in watchmaking, Mario Boiocchi focused on stylish watches, in the hearts of which beat the traditional for Swiss production automatic and manual movements of the highest quality. In later years, the collection was complemented by sports chronographs and diving watches. From the very beginning, the Paul Picot brand performed very well in the Italian market, known for its flair for luxury and fashion, which allowed it to take a leading position there. In 1990, Paul Picot took a big step towards establishing the brand on the world markets by purchasing a watchmaking workshop in Le Noirmont, in the Jura region, in the heart of Swiss watchmaking. In the same year, the brand launched the Technicum – an automatic chronograph with a FLYBACK function, date, day of the week, and power reserve indicator – which is COSC certified, and the Fishire – a watch with a barrel-shaped case. In 1991, Paul Picot's chronograph was awarded the title "Watch of the Year". In 1992, the company came to be headed by the talented watchmaker Paul Picot, to whom the brand owes its development and position today.
Men's and women's wristwatches, which Paul Picot equips with precise movements, are characterized by various complex functions. The company strives to achieve perfection in every detail of its timepieces.
The brand's most famous models are the Technograph, C-Type Le Plongeur, C-Type Carre, Firshire Tonneau, the Atelier collection, and many others. The company's aspiration is to always take into account the individual desires of its clients who are looking for rare timepieces.
The timepieces from Paul Picot harmoniously combine the best materials and well-chosen colors. The models are equipped with the most complex movements of high quality. Despite their high quality and original design, however, they are sold at relatively moderate prices compared to other similar brands.
Paul Picot introduced the new C-Type Yachtman in 2011, and from its appearance and characteristics, it is clear to everyone where the manufacturer is aiming – the IWC Aquatimer. Just like with the Aquatimer, here too there are two main versions – the classic 3-hand and the Chronograph, and here too the manufacturer provides the option for the bezel insert to be ceramic, but the steel version can also be chosen (as in the watch presented here). As for the case size, the Yachtman 3 is a comfortable 43 mm for this class of watch, its water resistance is 200 m, which makes it a reliable companion for your light diving excursions. The crystal is sapphire with an anti-reflective coating, through which it is noticeable that the guilloché on the dial is a slightly modified version of that on another cult diver – the Seamaster. The cyclops is in the shape we are used to seeing on the Submariner, and the engraved model name on the edge of the case is quite reminiscent of the inscription that is placed on another legendary watch – the Blancpain FF.
"Well, they've copied from everyone" – you will say. Regardless of this, however, the watch carries a great deal of individuality, as it has managed to combine all these cult details within itself, without it being ugly or ridiculous, and at the same time showing balance as a final result.
This is one of the best-looking models of the brand, mainly due to the elongated case, which seems to merge with the steel bracelet and gives the watch a beautiful look. The brand chose to combine black, which colors both the case and the bracelet, with white and dark green details. The abundant black color used in this watch allows it to match clothes of any color.
Beneath the solid case back, in the heart of the watch, beats the automatic Caliber PP 1700 (under this name hides the well-known ETA 2824) – a movement with a 38-hour power reserve, operating at 28,800 vibrations – excellently proven and affordable to maintain.