Pequignet Royale Manuelle - References, Prices and Owners' Reviews

Pequignet Royale Manuelle is a hand-wound mechanical watch launched in 2017, conceived as the purest expression of the Royale collection: a 42 mm steel case, small seconds at 6 o’clock, 10 ATM water resistance and the Calibre Royal Manual with roughly 100 hours of autonomy. 

Urban purity: 42 mm, small seconds at 6 and opaline/sunray dials

The Royale Manuelle stands out with a highly legible dial—either white opaline or sunray silver—polished Dauphine hands and a 6 o’clock small seconds that bring balanced, understated poise; a sapphire crystal tops the 42 mm case for everyday wearability. This pared-back display (hours/minutes + small seconds) emphasizes clarity and the discreet character of a long-reserve hand-wound calibre.

Case, sapphire back and daily comfort

In polished steel, the case is about 12.3 mm thick, with a signed crown (Royal Lily) and a six-screw back opening wide onto the movement; 10 ATM water resistance adds real-life tolerance, while strap options (leather/alligator, ardillon or folding clasps) fine-tune formality and comfort. The “42 mm / 12.3 mm / sapphire back / 10 ATM” combo aims for realistic comfort from office hours to relaxed evenings.

Calibre Royal Manual: 100 h reserve and French roots

Inside ticks the Calibre Royal Manual (21,600 vph, 21 jewels), a hand-wound take on the Royal architecture developed and assembled in France at Morteau; it favors a large barrel and delivers about 100 hours of running time, visible through the exhibition back. The “manual winding + ~100 h” formula fosters a more tactile bond while meaningfully spacing out winding sessions.

Key dates and main models (2011–2025)

(2011) Pequignet Royale Origine:

With the automatic Calibre Royal, the Pequignet Royale Origine set the DNA of a line meant to showcase an in-house French movement: long autonomy, displays integrated in the mainplate and a vision of “uninhibited” French Haute Horlogerie. This explains the aesthetic/technical lineage of the later Royale Manuelle, which would bring that language to a distilled, essential form. The Royale family became the public face of the Calibre Royal and its recognizable architecture. 

(2017) Pequignet Royale Manuelle:

The arrival of the Calibre Royal Manual (2017) comes with “Royale Manuelle” references highlighting a two-hand layout with small seconds; the intent is to center the experience on winding and long autonomy within the familiar 42 mm case of the line. This marked a renewed French hand-wound proposition from the manufacture and paved the way for opaline and sunray executions. Royale Manuelle thus became the purest gateway into the Calibre Royal universe. 

(2018) Pequignet Royale Manuelle sunray silver:

The Pequignet Royale Manuelle 9080433 confirms the merits of the 42 mm format with exhibition back and 10 ATM, while leveraging light play on the dial; the 6 o’clock small seconds balances the face and underscores an “urban-chic” intent. The reference appears on the market as early as 2018, reinforcing the visibility of the manual line within the Royale family.

(2022) Pequignet Royale Manuelle white opalin:

The Pequignet Royale Manuelle 9080413 focuses on purity (restrained indexes, blued hands) and versatile strap pairings (leather/alligator), while maintaining the 12.3 mm thickness and 10 ATM rating; this vintage is documented on the secondary market.

Listed in the official catalogue with multiple clasp and strap sizes, it anchors pricing around €3,600 incl. VAT and reiterates the technical core (42 mm, six-screw sapphire back, 10 ATM, ~100 h). In a context of rising French offerings, it answers the brief for a simple, well-finished watch with a national calibre. This steady product cadence consolidates the Royale Manuelle as the collection’s “classic” pillar. 

(2025) Pequignet Royale Paris 39.5 mm:

While distinct from the Manuelle, the 39.5 mm Royale Paris signals the Royale family’s momentum in 2025, adding big date, moon and reserve on the Calibre Royal; it illustrates the collection’s expansion toward smaller diameters and more complication-forward faces alongside the Manuelle’s distilled approach. Coexistence of these branches shows the breadth of the Royale platform and its adaptability. 

Buying advice: size, dials, straps and real-life use

At 42 mm by ~12.3 mm, presence is confident yet fit for daily wear; try it under a cuff to validate clearance and head stability on your wrist. If you split time between desk and evenings out, adjust strap length to minimize lateral roll. Other customers’ opinions are essential.

Opaline white reads “neutral and bright,” while sunray silver plays more with light and reflections; polished hands remain legible in both. Pick your dial first by your lighting environment and wardrobe. Other customers’ opinions are essential.

Alligator heightens dressiness and hold; smooth leather is subtler and easygoing; a folding clasp helps with frequent on/off. If you wear it daily, a deployant reduces strap wear and improves comfort. Other customers’ opinions are essential.

Hand-winding creates a ritual: with roughly 100 hours, you can wind every two to three days; simply watch for the end-of-travel feel. If you rotate watches, that reserve stretches intervals without a reset. Other customers’ opinions are essential.

10 ATM water resistance adds useful tolerance (rain, sinks, relaxed bathing), but avoid intense aquatic use; the sapphire back rewards lingering looks at the balance. Treat the Royale Manuelle as a reasoned “sport-chic,” not a watch to rough up. Other customers’ opinions are essential.

Conclusion

Classic without being stiff, the Royale Manuelle targets those wanting a French-made watch of character—true to the Royale aesthetic yet distilled to essentials: hours, minutes, small seconds, a fine manual movement and generous autonomy. The decision is mostly between two shades of light (opaline vs sunray), strap comfort and your tolerance for 42 mm. To decide, rely on a wrist-test, your wardrobe and Dialicious customer reviews to triangulate comfort, legibility and everyday pleasure. 

(Updated September 2025)