The company was founded in 2017,[3] and produces manually wound tourbillon watches.[4][5] Their movements are designed by watchmaker Eric Coudray,[6] who also invented their "spherion" systems, a high-velocity triple-axis tourbillon.[7][8] The company is known for creating Escape II, a watch with two triple-axis tourbillon systems.[9][10][11]
In 2021, Purnell partnered with France Football to create a pair of watches which were awarded to winners of the Ballon d’Or.[12][13] In 2022, they became the official timekeeper of AS Monaco.[14] In March 2022, it partnered with READYMADE to make a set of watches with straps made of recycled fabric from WWII US military surplus.[15] Purnell has also partnered with Italian footballer Fabio Cannavaro.[16]