David Candaux

The DC1 First Eight arrived in 2017 as a statement of principles: a flying tourbillon inclined at thirty degrees, a magic crown recessed at six o’clock, an asymmetrical stepped case housing a cascading movement made entirely of natural titanium. That architecture, born in the Solliat workshop, has not changed in the years since. What has changed, for the first time in 2026, is the material. The DC1 Platine Art du Tourbillon brings platinum to David Candaux’s foundational piece, a limited run of eight watches that asks, simply, what density and presence do to a design that was already proven. The answer is considerable. Platinum grips and tears where softer metals yield; it retains the memory of every polishing pass and exposes the slightest imprecision. For a case with edges as taut as those of the DC1, working in platinum means rethinking every sharp angle so that geometry survives the finisher’s wheel. The entire case is polished, and every surface shows it.

Beneath the crystal, the dial is a layered construction unique to the brand: mirror-polished black onyx forming the central plate, two-tenths of a millimeter thick, so fragile that five blanks are consumed to complete one, set against a white opal hour and minute dial at three o’clock that shifts from translucent and deep indoors to luminous outdoors. Rose gold flanges in 18-karat gold frame both elements, wrapping around the tourbillon cage at nine o’clock. The magic crown at six reads the same material contrast as the case itself: titanium body, platinum cap.

At the heart of everything sits the H74 caliber, developed in-house at Solliat, with Grade 5 titanium bridges, beryllium copper wheels, and a tourbillon cage in black anodized titanium. Its color is achieved through micro-arc oxidation, a ceramic transformation integrated into the metal’s own surface. The thirty-degree inclination of the cage is no affectation. It sweeps through positions a conventionally oriented tourbillon never reaches, including the flat positions critical to chronometric accuracy at rest. David Candaux has said the tourbillon was never meant for the wrist. He built one anyway, then solved for its shortcomings. That tension, between the heart’s decision and the mind’s discipline, is what the DC1 Platine Art du Tourbillon ultimately represents.

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DC1 Platinum Art du Tourbillon

The DC6 Night Forest is a modern watch built with purpose, combining advanced materials with a clean, no-nonsense design. Made for everyday wear but engineered like something far more technical, it pairs ultra-light UD carbon with natural titanium for strength and comfort, coming in at just 45 grams on the wrist. Unlike forged carbon, UD carbon uses continuous fibers, making it tougher, more stable, and far more resistant to wear over time. The result is a case with a subtle, wood-like grain that feels both natural and high-tech. With only eight pieces made, it’s rare.

The construction is just as considered. The movement is protected inside a titanium chamber for water resistance, while the outer case is formed from UD carbon and held together with titanium stretchers, no glue, just solid engineering. The smoky green dial brings depth and character, created through a mix of sunburst finishing, anodization, and a hand-applied gradient effect that plays tricks with the eye. Details like the raised numerals and dark minute track add contrast and clarity, while the overall look shifts constantly depending on the light and angle.

Inside, the in-house H74 movement keeps things just as impressive. This hand-wound titanium movement with 5 patents features a 30° inclined flying tourbillon that isn’t just for show as it helps improve accuracy as the watch moves throughout the day. Finished by hand, it delivers a 55-hour power reserve along with excellent resistance to magnetism and corrosion. The standout “Magic Crown” at 6 o’clock replaces the traditional side crown, keeping the design balanced while remaining easy to use. Light, durable, and thoughtfully designed, the DC6 Night Forest is a watch that feels as good as it looks.

DC6 Night Forest

DC6 Titanium

The DC1, launched in 2017, marked the beginning of the DAVID CANDAUX brand, defying contemporary trends with its innovative design and incorporation of advanced technologies. Its unique features include an asymmetrical case resembling a bassinée and a retractable “Magic Crown” at 6 o’clock.

The DC1 collection introduced several groundbreaking elements, such as an all-titanium movement requiring novel manufacturing techniques and a 30-degree inclined tourbillon for enhanced precision.

The latest addition to the collection, presented in April 2024 in Geneva, is crafted from titanium, embodying the brand’s commitment to simplicity, ergonomics, and wearer comfort. This timepiece serves as a tribute to David Candaux’s father, a master of complications, and to his mentor, Philippe Dufour, in the esteemed AHCI.

DC1 Titanium

The DC7 Blue Hawk is David Candaux at his most confident. It’s a watch that doesn’t explain itself at first glance, and that’s precisely the point. The titanium case has a taut, almost aerodynamic tension to it, while the deep blue dial feels carved rather than decorated. Nothing here is chasing novelty. Instead, the watch draws you in through proportion, shadow, and the quiet authority of well-judged design.

At the center of the experience is Candaux’s trademark asymmetry. The time display sits off to one side, balanced by a 30-degree inclined flying tourbillon at 12 o’clock that immediately commands attention without overwhelming the dial. The multi-layer construction gives the watch real depth, and the recessed markers and openworked hands reinforce the sense that every element has been considered in three dimensions, not on paper.

Inside, the H70 calibre continues the same conversation. Titanium throughout, meticulously finished by hand, and built around Candaux’s patented retractable crown, it’s technically ambitious yet visually calm. Limited to just eight pieces, the DC7 Blue Hawk feels like a personal statement from an independent watchmaker working entirely on his own terms.

DC7 Blue Hawk

The DC12 MaveriK is David Candaux at his boldest, a watch that looks forward without losing sight of the Vallée de Joux’s deep watchmaking roots. At its heart beats the C30 calibre, a seven-level construction that flows inside the case. Two balances, free yet in dialogue, are linked by a patented satellite differential positioned at the nerve center of the seconds train. This system, suspended on a hairspring shock absorber, delivers equilibrium and fluid precision rarely seen in a wristwatch.

Three new patents reinforce the MaveriK’s pursuit of accuracy: a safeguarded winding system for smooth energy transfer, a compact coaxial crown mechanism uniting winding and setting, and the pioneering free double balance itself. The result is a living mechanism that adapts, absorbs and balances, an organic architecture designed to breathe with its wearer.

Design amplifies the mechanics rather than competing with them. The 39.5 mm case curves with surgical intent, its “magic crown” disappearing into the profile, its dial opening shaped like a tamed ellipse. Applied titanium markers, flame-blued hands, and a suspended 60-second differential at 12 o’clock create a dynamic, almost sculptural reading of time. On the reverse, twin balances framed by Grade 5 titanium bridges echo the Vallée’s heritage with modern resolve. The MaveriK is precision set free – radical, refined, and unmistakably alive.

Exceptional watches. Extraordinary stories.