March LA.B is a watchmaker established between France and the US. Founded in 1999, it is still considered a relatively young company that, despite its contemporary craftsmanship, puts great emphasis on creating elegant vintage watches that remain simple and effortless to reference the time from. March LA.B watches pays homage to its French roots and has collaborated with various Swiss manufacturers. Intended for wearers of the future, these timepieces, despite their complexity, focus primarily on functionality and beauty.
March LA.B watches tell a story of diversity. The craftsman’s hand behind each timepiece and its inspiration are from various backgrounds. Interestingly, the company director of March LA.B has a former career in eyewear. The founder of the company, Alan Marhic, who is now CEO of the business, alongside his sons paid reference to the month in which all three share their birthday. Since the company has shared offices in LA, elements of the brand’s location and roots have worked their way into the face and name of the company too.
It would take a further two years after establishing the brand before Marhic and his team would launch its first line of March LA.B wristwatches. A gap in the market for vintage lifestyle watches was unsurfaced, enabling the company to predict the success that these wristwatches would be met with. The watches appeal to a large audience. Inspiration taken from historical deigns from the French First Empire and the Napoleon era drove the brand forward with its vision. Uniquely, March LA.B watches also reference British and French retro styling in their designs.
March LA.B watches are recognised for a few distinct features, namely the colour green, which runs throughout the brand’s various collections. March LA.B has also contributed and supported the work of prevention suicide in all areas across the world, referencing its associated green colour but also harkening back to fond memories of Marhic’s childhood and his favourite colour. March LA.B watches also feature visible surfing references throughout their designs. The Villa Belzanames is a model inspired by the iconic beach of Villa Biarritz, for example.
From the brand’s catalogue, distinct collections stand out. The AM2 watch has an unmistakable square shaped case and clear indexes that are laid out in a horizontal position rather than the familiar vertically presented baton indexes associated with many luxury watches today. The AM3 watch boasts a tuning fork inspired design, accompanied by a bevelled case that catches the light uniquely to create an unusual presence on the wrist. The March LA. B Mansart watch was developed in 2019. This design is yet another example of a successful timepiece made by the manufacturer. Its unusual eye catching aesthetic boasts a square shaped case with flattened corners, imparting a bold and dynamic look on the wrist.
