The world of watchmaking is divided into two categories. On one hand, you have large conglomerates with an arsenal of brands under their umbrella, and on the other, small independent brands. Armed with generous budgets and large scale marketing campaigns, the ‘indies’ are no match for industry giants – in terms of reach. But their watches can be equally, if not more extraordinary. Here we present David Candaux: an AHCI candidate whose pieces are beautiful and impressive. He will be exhibiting in Singapore from October 17 to 21 at the JeweLuxe Exhibition, where Deployant is the Official Watch Media.
While David Candaux may not yet be a household name, but is a man that resonates well within the haute horlogerie community. The man is responsible for several ultra-complicated pieces such as the Hybris Mechanica Grande Sonnerie and MB&F HM6. A very impressive CV indeed. But more remarkable is his first attempt at independent watchmaking, the 1740 First 8 which was presented last year. We reviewed the 1740 First 8 in the link and highly recommend you give it a read.
David was born and raised within a family of watchmaking experience and knowledge. His father and grandfather were master watchmakers, and he picked up the craft at the age of 15. Currently based in the small village of Le Solliat, David’s work is inspired by the natural realm of the surrounding Vallée de Joux. Perhaps an interesting detail is his nearby neighbor and famous resident – Grandmaster Philippe Dufour.
His latest work will be showcased at JeweLuxe. Titled the 1740 Half Hunter Tourbillon, the watch is a contemporary reinterpretation of the classic half-hunter pocketwatch form. It pays homage to precision marine instruments of the past, seeking inspiration from seafaring instruments and antique captain’s watches. The half hunter form provides protection of the dial glass, hands and movement from shocks.
The first detail to strike the eye is the intricately decorated front case. Known as Pointe du Risoux, the handmade guilloche pattern draws design cues from the surrounding Risoux fir tree forest. It is executed in high palladium content 18K white gold and boasts a subtle yet elegant glow. The watch is encased in grade-5 titanium for long-term durability.
David will also be showcasing the LA 1740 Rose Gold – the second in a series of two.
Interested to find out more about the watches? Join us at JeweLuxe 2018! Details of the show is as follows:
Date: October 17 to 21
Time: 1 to 8 PM
Venue: The Tent at Ngee Ann City, Singapore
D. Candaux: 1740 Half Hunter Tourbillon
Technical specifications
Functions and indicators
- Hours and minutes on a separate, domed counter
- Seconds hand via tourbillon cage at 9 o’clock
- Bi-plan tourbillon
- Power reserve indicator at 12 o’clock
Movement
- Inclined, manual-winding tourbillon movement
- Dimensions: 16 ¼ lignes (diameter 35 mm x 20 mm high)
- Materials: Grade 5 titanium plate and bridges. Untreated titanium and blued titanium for the tourbillon cage
- Going train, wheels and bridges inclined at 3 degrees to the horizontal (patent-pending design).
- Double winding barrel with 55 hours power reserve
- Stainless steel, mirror-polished power reserve bridge
- Frequency: 21,600 vph (3Hz)
- Number of jewels: 47, with polished sinks and gold chatons
- Number of parts: 287
- Finest traditional watchmaking craft with hand-made chamfering and anglage, hand-polishing, flanks brushing and unique Côtes du Solliat effect
Escapement and going train
- Single-axis, titanium bi-plan flying tourbillon at 9 o’clock: with cage inclined 3 degrees in relation to the horizontal, balance inclined at 30 degrees in relation to the cage
- Variable inertia balance
- Breguet overcoil spring with Philips terminal curve
- Cascade effect-profiled titanium movement
- Constant energy supply by double barrel
- Power reserve indication by conic camshaft system
Crown
- Secret and retractable, unlocking via pressure
- 3 positions: neutral, reset, and winding
- 31 parts.
Front bezel, watch face
- Semi-spherical hours and minutes dials
- 18K high palladium content white gold indexes chamfered and polished by hand
- Grade 5 titanium decorated with engine-turned Pointe du Risoux
Hands
- Hours: conical and curved, dagger-shaped, in natural steel, chamfered, polished and blued by hand
- Minutes: conical and curved, dagger-shaped, in natural steel, chamfered, polished and blued by hand
- Central seconds: in flame-blued 18K white gold, chamfered and polished by hand
- Power reserve: dagger-shaped, in 18K white gold, chamfered and polished by hand
Case
- Asymmetric, bassinet-shaped
- Grade-5 titanium
- Diameter: 43 mm
- Total thickness: 12.60 mm
- 2 semi-spherical sapphire windows and 1 anti-reflective glass; sapphire case back
- Caseback with clipped olivette at 6 o’clock
- Fine satin-finishing and hand executed polishing
Waterproofing
- Guaranteed water resisitant to 30 meters
Watch-strap
- Made of large scale alligator leather
- Entirely hand-made
Buckle
- Pin buckle
- In stainless steel 316L and titanium
