An exceptional piece of contemporary horological art, with its immaculate lines and fastidious attention to detail throughout, the DC7 Genesis by independent master watchmaker David Candaux is an exemplar in symmetric design, both aesthetically and, even more impressively, technically.

As its name suggests, the DC7 Genesis is a completely new creation in every aspect, from its case, to its movement and the dial as well, all of which have been painstakingly manufactured by hand, using the traditional craftsmanship and values handed down from two previous generations of haute horlogerie watchmaking. Produced entirely in his own atelier in the town of Le Solliat, in the famed Swiss watchmaking heartland of the Vallée de Joux, the DC7 Genesis is a remarkable wristwatch which distils all of this generational family knowhow with cutting edge materials and modern styling.

The DC7 Genesis is manufactured in either Grade 5 titanium or 5N 18ct rose gold, with eight examples only being produced in each metal. With its unique retractable ‘secret’ crown which is located at the six o’clock position, it has been possible to create a case which is noticeably minimal, with pure and flowing lines which taper, merge or even disappear completely. Inspired by the perfect proportions of DaVinci’s Vitruvian Man, careful consideration has been invested into every miniscule nuance, with a holistic and ergonomic approach to its design.

Measuring a generous 44mm across and 14.2mm at its tallest point, the rounded case is polished, with clear and defined lines around its waist and the edge of the bezel. The domed sapphire crystal is sculpted around the crown, and beneath it, the blue sun-brushed dial is inclined at 3º from the twelve down towards the six, so as to enhance the viewing angle. Legibility is superb in daylight or darkness, as the hour numerals and minutes ring are applied with Super-LumiNova, as are the tips of the hour and minute hands, which are also curved to hug the surface of the dial. The seconds are similarly marked and indicated via a tiny blue pointer on the cage of the bi-planal tourbillon which dominates the display at the twelve.

Angles and inclines have been a signature of David Candaux, and here the tourbillon cage is inclined at discreet 3º, while the balance is tilted at a much more attention-grabbing 30º, as the delicate mechanism rotates gracefully in its sixty second cycle.

Inside, and on show through the sapphire caseback, the watchmaker’s obsession with symmetry becomes even more apparent as here too, the four frosted plates of the Manufacture manual winding movement come together to form a circle at the centre, offering a tantalising glimpse of the wheels which turn beneath a black polished bridge, which has a deep set ruby at the dead centre

With the architecture and layout of a mechanical movement dictated by the positioning of the components within, and with very little room to compromise or reshuffle, achieving this symmetry is remarkable. Constructed in Grade 5 titanium, the all-new Calibre 1700 movement has been designed, manufactured and finished in-house to the uncompromisingly exacting standards of haute horlogerie, and features flawless black mirror polished anglage and a secret frosting technique on the plates.

Presented on a durable rubber strap with folding clasp, the DC7 Genesis by David Candaux is a feat of micro-engineering, and a truly outstanding showcase of artisanal independent watchmaking at the very highest standards of traditional haute horlogerie.