Nicolas Ducoudert Pham is a French designer and entrepreneur known for founding the independent watch brand Beaubleu in 2017. Based in Paris, Ducoudert Pham established the Maison with a vision to offer a new perception of time through poetic design and non-conformist aesthetics.
Before entering the horological industry, Ducoudert Pham built a career as a designer specializing in luxury products and industrial design. His portfolio includes work on diverse projects, ranging from furniture to the interiors of Frances TGV high-speed trains. This background in shaping physical space and user experience heavily influenced his approach to watchmaking, where he treats the timepiece as an object of experience rather than a purely functional tool.
The defining characteristic of Ducoudert Phams work at Beaubleu is the use of circular hands. Moving away from traditional linear pointers, these signature round hands orbit the dial in patterns reminiscent of planetary movements. This design choice stems from his creative thesis on the concept of the circle and emptiness, reflecting his belief that time is a fluid element that can be expanded or compressed based on individual perception.
Under his leadership, Beaubleu has transitioned from a series of limited editions, such as the B01 and Vitruve collections, to establishing permanent lines like the Ecce collection launched in 2023. He has also championed the concept of co-creation, actively involving the brand’s community in the design process for new models.
Ducoudert Pham remains focused on promoting French watchmaking heritage. This is evidenced by his collaboration with the Monnaie de Paris to create struck-metal dials and the integration of France Ebauches automatic movements in recent collections like the Seconde Francaise. His work continues to be guided by the philosophy that beauty lies in the unexpected, often citing the Baudelaire quote, Le beau est toujours bizarre.