An exceptional artisanal timepiece, the David Candaux DC1 Titanium watch demonstrates the technical acumen and inimitable styling of this profound watchmaking talent. Presented in a bassinée casing of Grade 5 titanium and fitted with a retractable winding crown, the watch carries a dial of hand-grained 18ct yellow gold that showcases an opal hour and minutes dial paired with a bi-plan flying tourbillon, with each element enclosed within their own sapphire crystal. Entirely crafted at the master’s bench at his atelier in the town of Le Solliat, in Switzerland’s Vallée de Joux, the watch enjoys the advantage of a beautifully executed manual winding in-house calibre manufactured from titanium and platinum displaying exclusive Haute Horlogerie finishing.

A truly profound talent from the very cradle of Swiss watchmaking in the Vallée de Joux, David Candaux is a third generation master watchmaker who follows in the footsteps of his grandfather and father, who continues to work alongside him. Refining his prodigious gift for traditional haute horlogerie over many years at the grand maison of Patek Philippe, that uncompromising craftsmanship which is evident in his extraordinary timepieces, has gained him full membership of the prestigious, invitation-only Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants (AHCI). Although hand crafted using old-school techniques, the DC1 Titanium model displays the signature avant-garde creativity that is synonymous with all David Candaux timepieces.

The face of the watch is gently inclined from the twelve down towards the six, so as to enhance the viewing angle. Displaying wonderful equipoise, the two apertures, each fitted with their own specially machined sapphire crystal, are laid upon a surface of 18ct yellow gold that has been hand-decorated giving it an incredibly detailed textured aesthetic. On the right, and crafted from white opal, the miniature hour and minutes dial carries syringe-shaped blued 18ct white gold hand polished hands, black printed numerals and hand beveled and polished hour 18ct white gold indices at each quarter. On the left, the unique Bi-plan flying tourbillon is offset at an incline of 30º and as it rotates once every sixty seconds within its tiny titanium cage, its presence enlivens the façade and adds further to the technical significance of this stunning model. At the 12, a curved letterbox aperture displaying the power reserve complements the arrangement. 

Manufactured from grade 5 titanium the casing measures 43.9mm diameter with a height of 12.90mm. Outstanding in both construction and arrangement, it has a visually stunning basinée profile that is unique to David Candaux, and which is enhanced by immaculate hand polished and satin finishing. Allowing its form to remain wonderfully uninterrupted, a unique retractable ‘secret’ crown rises telescopically for the purposes of winding and adjusting the time.

Inside the case, and visible through the sapphire exhibition caseback the movement is entirely manufactured and finished by hand in the watchmaker’s atelier in the village of Le Solliat, using traditional local Joux Valley know-how, and encouraged and inspired by his neighbour, mentor and friend Philippe Dufour. A breathtakingly beautiful work of uncompromising precision and exquisite finesse, the manual winding Calibre is manufactured in platinum and titanium, and its plates are finished with Cötes de Solliat stripes and mirror polished anglage around their curvaceous edges. Even here, where it is largely hidden from sight, the watchmaker’s obsession with perfection and individuality are to be found, as the plates and the gear train are inclined at 3º and cascade in minute but obvious increments from one to the next. Beating at 21’600 vib/h it derives 55 hours of power reserve from its single barrel.

A watch that bears the signature finishing and innovation of this creative force within the Independent Watchmaking genre, the David Candaux DC1 Titanium watch is presented on a handmade leather strap, secured with a gold and titanium pin buckle