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Created in 2018 in France at the initiative of Vincent Repoux, Arpiem was built around a very specific imagery: motorsport&rsquo;s golden age, its colors, its scents, its sounds, and a certain idea of racing &ldquo;romanticism,&rdquo; when human commitment mattered as much as the machine. The brand claims an accessible and narrative approach: each watch refers to a place, a driver, a period, and aims to turn a track memory into a wrist object. Arpiem speaks to those who like inspired, legible, expressive watches, and who want to bring back, in everyday life, a fragment of car and motorcycle culture rather than a neutral accessory.
<h3>RPM, pronounced &ldquo;ar-pi-em&rdquo;: a name that sets the tone</h3>
The name Arpiem is directly tied to automobiles, because &ldquo;RPM&rdquo; refers to &ldquo;Revolutions Per Minute&rdquo; in rev-counter culture, and the brand embraces that reference as an identity starting point. This is not a minor marketing detail: it sets a clear promise&mdash;design borrowed from driving instruments, circuit signage, and the graphic tension of dashboards.
In its narrative, Arpiem focuses on a time when cars were not &ldquo;cloned&rdquo; by aerodynamics and when each machine kept its own personality, linked to its era and its creators. The brand claims a sensory relationship to mechanics: it is not only about speed, but about shapes, colors, materials, and what those elements awaken in enthusiasts.
This positioning explains the importance given to storytelling: an Arpiem is not conceived as an abstract object, but as an evocation. The dial becomes a platform for stories, where references to circuits, characters, and racing codes serve emotion as much as instant recognition on the wrist.
Finally, Arpiem aims to reconcile this &ldquo;racing-vintage&rdquo; stance with an accessible proposition, relying on described proven choices and numbered limited series. Visual coherence comes before escalation, placing the brand among high-identity microbrands rather than demonstrative prestige watches.
<h3>The &ldquo;sense of detail&rdquo;: triple-layer dial and a signature central button</h3>
Part of Arpiem&rsquo;s identity is expressed through recurring elements the brand highlights as its design &ldquo;signature.&rdquo; Among them, the &ldquo;triple-layer&rdquo; dial is presented as a key marker, because it creates relief, separated planes, and a more &ldquo;instrument&rdquo; reading than a simple flat surface.
Arpiem also emphasizes handling and finishing details, such as a colored button and discreet engraving on the central button on certain models. These elements are meant to make the watch feel more alive: you do not only read the time, you interact with an object that openly mirrors the controls and cues of the mechanical world.
Graphically, the brand claims color combinations and typographic choices that refer to places and events from the motorsport world. Contrast is used as a storytelling tool, with the idea that the eye should &ldquo;get&rdquo; the mood before reading the indications precisely.
This attention to detail is meant to remain compatible with a &ldquo;quality accessible&rdquo; approach, described through a short design/manufacturing/distribution loop and a selection of components presented as quality-focused. The stated goal is to balance style and real wear, so the watch stays usable every day beyond the automotive nod.
<h3>Four families, four ways to live racing</h3>
Arpiem&rsquo;s catalog is structured around collections that correspond to distinct uses and graphic worlds, while sharing the same &ldquo;racing-vintage&rdquo; grammar. The brand frames its range like a toolkit: chronographs for timing, more versatile automatics for daily wear, and more radical proposals when &ldquo;instrument&rdquo; design becomes the main subject.
The chronograph-oriented collection focuses on the &ldquo;tribute&rdquo; spirit: circuits, drivers, periods, and colors that evoke competition. The chronograph is treated as a motorsport culture symbol, with an information-rich dial that recalls measuring instruments rather than aiming for minimalism.
Alongside it, an automatic line serves as a daily base, while a &ldquo;drivers&rdquo; family highlights a driving-oriented reading, and another pushes the rev-counter analogy toward a more stripped-down aesthetic. Each collection targets a different sensation, letting you enter Arpiem through style, through use, or through the story being told.
<ul>
<li>Arpiem Tribute Chrono &mdash; Chronographs inspired by circuits, drivers, and eras, with a racing-instrument dial character.</li>
<li>Arpiem Racematic &mdash; &ldquo;Racing-vintage&rdquo; automatics designed as everyday watches, with an endurance spirit.</li>
<li>Arpiem Ride &amp; Drive &mdash; Driving-oriented watches presented as an extension of gesture and glance behind the wheel.</li>
<li>Arpiem Overspeed &mdash; A more radical rev-counter-inspired proposal with a highly asserted graphic approach.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Tributes, drivers, and a culture of passing knowledge: the &ldquo;Drivers Club&rdquo; mindset</h3>
Arpiem does not rely on a generic &ldquo;vintage racing&rdquo; imagery: the brand multiplies explicit references to people and places, building a universe of tributes that speaks to enthusiasts. The watch becomes a pretext to tell a legend, whether it is a driver, a circuit, an era, or a paddock atmosphere.
This logic also takes shape in a community approach, with a &ldquo;Drivers Club&rdquo; highlighting drivers and the idea of transmission, presented as central to the brand&rsquo;s DNA. Human qualities are framed as inseparable from the machine: without them, the cars we dream about would be only an assembly of metal and plastic.
In the same spirit, Arpiem also explores more contemporary ground, such as simulator culture, without denying its love for classic machines. Tradition and the digital world are put into dialogue: the past feeds inspiration, while today&rsquo;s communities extend passion through new practices.
For buyers, the advantage of this approach is straightforward: choosing an Arpiem often means choosing a story to wear. The best compass is the emotion triggered by the reference: if a circuit name or a driver name resonates with you, the watch is more likely to remain desirable over time, beyond a purely aesthetic crush.
<ul>
<li>Arpiem Tribute TJL 2 &ldquo;Jacques Laffite&rdquo; &mdash; A &ldquo;tribute&rdquo; chronograph tied to a widely recognizable motorsport figure.</li>
<li>Arpiem Tribute TSR 3 Carbone &ldquo;John Woolfe&rdquo; &mdash; A &ldquo;tribute&rdquo; variation associated with a racing-culture reference.</li>
<li>Arpiem Racematic TSR 2 &ldquo;Bob Wollek&rdquo; &mdash; An automatic presented as a best-seller, anchored in endurance culture.</li>
<li>Arpiem Tribute TSR 4 &ldquo;Reims - Gueux&rdquo; &mdash; A chronograph citing a location strongly tied to circuit imagination.</li>
<li>Arpiem Tribute Group C &mdash; An evocation of an era and style linked to prototypes and endurance.</li>
<li>Arpiem Tribute Flying Finns &mdash; A &ldquo;tribute&rdquo; series built around a recognizable sporting reference.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Accessible quality: proven movements, 316L steel, and a price-to-pleasure balance</h3>
Arpiem claims a &ldquo;quality accessible&rdquo; pursuit, referring to a short value chain and technical choices oriented toward reliable solutions. The brand mentions proven Swiss or Japanese movements and stresses the idea that an inspired watch can remain reasonable, in both price and upkeep, if it relies on known architectures and well-chosen components.
In its product arguments, Arpiem mentions 316L steel cases, sapphire crystals, and on certain black watches a surface treatment presented as more resistant than common alternatives. The intention is to offer robustness consistent with a racing universe, even if the watch is meant for daily life rather than actual competition conditions.
Prices visible on the official store place the offer at accessible levels for a French design-focused microbrand: &ldquo;Tribute&rdquo; chronographs sit around a few hundred euros, &ldquo;Racematic&rdquo; automatics and some &ldquo;Ride &amp; Drive&rdquo; editions go higher, while &ldquo;Overspeed&rdquo; stands between these logics. The range targets a first passion purchase as much as a secondary buy for collectors of thematic watches.
In practice, it helps to think in concrete priorities: do you want a chronograph function, a versatile automatic, a driving-oriented reading, or a highly graphic piece? The best choice is the one you will wear often, because Arpiem&rsquo;s identity is enjoyed through repeated use, not through display.
<h3>Warranty, 30-day return, and distribution: D2C plus selected retailers</h3>
Arpiem communicates clearly about customer commitments, with an announced two-year international warranty from the purchase date, as well as a 30-day return policy. This promise of peace of mind is reassuring for a young brand, because it sets a simple framework if a defect appears or if expectations are not met upon delivery.
The brand relies on direct-to-consumer sales through its website while also listing a network of retailers, notably in France, with addresses in Paris, the North, Provence, and other cities, plus a presence mentioned in Chile. The model blends simplicity and proximity: online purchase for convenience, and physical points for trying on and meeting, which fits a brand where color and depth matter a lot.
This dual channel makes sense for Arpiem because wrist perception can change strongly depending on size, color, and light. Trying on helps validate compatibility, especially with rich dials and instrument-inspired designs where photos do not always capture depth and contrast.
<ul>
<li>Arpiem Tribute Chrono &mdash; Often chosen for the &ldquo;timing&rdquo; appeal and the racing-style dial density.</li>
<li>Arpiem Racematic &mdash; A route to a more versatile automatic, with an endurance spirit.</li>
<li>Arpiem Ride &amp; Drive &mdash; A family for those who want a watch that feels like a driving companion.</li>
<li>Arpiem Overspeed &mdash; For a more index-stripped, more radical design strongly inspired by rev counters.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
Arpiem is aimed at motorsport enthusiasts who want to wear a story, colors, and culture, without drifting into something overly serious or overly showy. The brand stands out through strong coherence between its name, its imagery, and its graphic choices, as well as through a range structured into clear families, from the &ldquo;tribute&rdquo; chronograph to the more instrument-driven piece. To decide well, the most effective method is to start from real use (timing, driving, daily wear, or embracing a highly graphic watch), then choose the reference that resonates most with your racing memories. To compare that promise with real wrist experience, read Dialicious customer reviews.
(Updated January 2026)

Emotion

Design

Precision

Confort

Robust

QualityPrice

Je fonctionne souvent au coup de cœur et ce modèle de la T&R orange et noir en fut l’un sans aucun doute ! J’ai acheté cette montre au tout début d'Arpiem, via une publicité FB, prenant le risque d'une micro marque + start-up. Mon avis est donc à la fois enthousiaste et réservé mais assumé dans le contexte initial énoncé de la marque horlogère.

Commençons par le bon, voire très bon : La qualité générale du boitier et de ses finitions donne un sentiment de robustesse, le fond gravé est une très bonne chose (regarder un mouvement basique ne m'intéresse pas).  Le design est recherché avec un boitier trapu alors qu'on a une boite dans la boite avec le système de basculement du cadran de 1h00 à 4h00, j'y reviendrai. La lunette de couleur noir mat est sobre : c'est élégant. 

Le cadran est également sobre mais très lisible, l'un va avec l'autre. Pas de complication de date, c'est bien ainsi et on va à l'essentiel. Et le petit fun-design avec le cadran ouvert sur le balancier est juste ce qu’il faut pour la rendre « mécanique et ça se voit » Mention spéciale pour le bracelet en cuir de très belle qualité et dans les couleurs prolongées du cadran. La boucle déployante est de moins bonne qualité.  L’ensemble est du plus bel effet. 

Globalement, ce qui est le plus marquant avec ce modèle, c’est la qualité générale ressentie par rapport au prix très contenu que j’ai payé (- de 400€). 

Le deuxième point est la qualité du design : équilibré, sobre mais néanmoins fouillé de détails qui se découvrent au quotidien et font de cette montre une Daily qu’on a envie de porter encore et encore. Ce fut d’ailleurs le cas pour mois où je suis revenu vers elle fréquemment et je continue à y revenir, souvent au beau temps, mais différemment : avec un t-shirt ou des chemises en manches retroussées, elle fait son petit effet et est toujours remarquée par les fans de montres. 

La partie moins sympa : comme expliqué, la montre pivote de 45°, de 1h00 vers 4h00. L’idée est sympa, la marque précisant que c’est pour toujours avoir l’heure d’équerre avec le « pilote » lorsqu’on roule. Bref…

C’est gadget mais ça permet d’avoir une carrure typée avec deux boites enroulées entre elles, comme des gigognes. Malheureusement, le mécanisme de serrage de la position s’est grippé très rapidement et la couronne, aussi dans un principe de gigogne, n’est pas des plus ergonomique à cause de ce système. 

Ensuite, on regrette franchement la faiblesse des aiguilles. L’idée d’aiguilles de forme rectangulaires est une belle idée et sur ce modèle, le fait qu’il n’y ai pas de lume ne me dérange pas (contrairement à d’autres). Cependant, leurs finesses, et plus particulièrement l’aiguille des secondes est une faiblesse dans l’équilibre visuel général. Plus je la porte (maintenant de manière moins régulière), plus ce problème devient disgracieux à mon œil.

En conclusion, cet achat intempestif comme un bonbon est devenu une montre régulièrement portée pendant plus d’un an chez moi. Résultat d’un véritable travail sur le design équilibré et typé/original qui est vraiment la force de cette montre. Concernant la robustesse de la montre, je ne m’attendais pas à quelque chose d’autre que les moyens mis pour la construire. Néanmoins elle fait vraiment le taff voire mieux, mais l’ensemble de tous ces éléments de qualité mettent paradoxalement en exergue les défauts de la montres (qui sont peu nombreux mais visibles).

Aujourd’hui je la porte moins à cause de ces défauts, toutefois elle restera une occasionnelle d’été lorsque l’occasion se présente.

I often buy on impulse, and this orange and black T&R model was undoubtedly one of them! I bought this watch at the very beginning of Arpiem, through a Facebook ad, taking a chance on a micro-brand and startup. My opinion is therefore both enthusiastic and reserved, but I stand by it given the initial context of the watch brand.

Let's start with the good, even very good: The overall quality of the case and its finish gives a feeling of robustness, and the engraved case back is a very nice touch (I'm not interested in looking at a basic movement).

The design is sophisticated, with a compact case that also houses a "box within a box" with the dial's flip-up mechanism from 1 to 4 o'clock—I'll come back to that. The matte black bezel is understated: it's elegant.

The dial is also understated but very legible; the two complement each other perfectly. No date complication, which is just as it should be, keeping things simple. The playful design, with the open dial revealing the balance wheel, is just enough to give it a mechanical feel, and it shows. Special mention goes to the very high-quality leather strap, which echoes the dial's colors. The deployant clasp is of slightly lower quality. Overall, the watch is very attractive.

What's most striking about this model is the perceived quality relative to the very reasonable price I paid (under €400).

The second point is the quality of the design: balanced, understated, yet rich in details that are discovered daily, making this a watch you'll want to wear again and again. This was certainly the case for me; I frequently returned to it, and I continue to do so, often in good weather, but in different ways: with a t-shirt or rolled-up sleeves, it makes a statement and is always noticed by watch enthusiasts.

The less appealing part: as explained, the watch rotates 45° from 1 o'clock to 4 o'clock. The idea is nice, the brand specifying that it's to ensure the time is always aligned with the "pilot" while riding. Anyway…
It's a gimmick, but it does create a distinctive case with two nested boxes, like Russian dolls. Unfortunately, the locking mechanism jammed very quickly, and the crown, also based on a nested design, isn't very ergonomic because of this system.

Furthermore, the thinness of the hands is a real drawback. The idea of rectangular hands is a good one, and on this model, the lack of lume doesn't bother me (unlike some others). However, their slimness, and particularly the seconds hand, detracts from the overall visual balance. The more I wear it (though less regularly now), the more this problem bothers me.

In conclusion, this impulsive purchase, like buying candy, has become a watch I've worn regularly for over a year. It's the result of genuine work on a balanced and distinctive/original design, which is truly the watch's strength. Regarding the watch's robustness, I didn't expect anything more than what was invested in its construction. Nevertheless, it really does the job, even exceeding expectations, but paradoxically, all these quality elements highlight the watch's flaws (which are few but noticeable).

Today I wear it less because of these flaws, but it will remain an occasional summer watch when the occasion arises.

Une montre attachante

An endearing watch

I often buy on impulse, and this orange and black T&R model was undoubtedly one of them! I bought this watch at the very beginning of Arpiem, through a Facebook ad, taking a chance on a micro-brand and startup. My opinion is therefore both enthusiastic and reserved, but I stand by it given the initial context of the watch brand.

Let's start with the good, even very good: The overall quality of the case and its finish gives a feeling of robustness, and the engraved case back is a very nice touch (I'm not interested…

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