D. Candaux | 1740 - The Heart and The Spirit
David Candaux is a designer and a watchmaking craftsman that comes from the purest tradition of the Vallée de Joux. Today, he stands up for the best craftsmanship of high-end watchmaking values throughout his own creations.
David Candaux was born in the Vallée de Joux, cradle of the high-end Swiss watchmaking. David has been in the watchmaking environment since he was born. Just like his grandfather was, David’s father is also a master watchmaker who specialized in high complications for Patek Philippe. Thanks to him, David discovered and fell in love with the atmosphere of the workshops permeated by the work rhythm made of concentration, silence, and quietness.
David has almost 25 years of experience in watchmaking.
David’s “First Eight” series were immediately sold out to collectors. They will be never built with similar aesthetics again.
There are currently two models David manufactures: The DC 1 which is based on the “First Eight”, and the DC 6 “Half Hunter” which is more of a contemporary design. The masterpiece series of the DC 1 model starts in a steel case, the DC 6 model starts in Titanium. In 2021, a brand new model DC 7 Genesis will be released.
AESTHETIC AND WHEN ON THE WRIST
The aesthetic of a D. Candaux timepiece results from the study of its appearance combined with its functionality and feature. Amongst other things, the fluidity of the design rests upon the absence of asperities. David chooses a contemporary design that is standing out thanks to standards similar to the ones of the car industry or the aviation industry.
David gives importance in particular to the interaction between the wearer and their timepiece. The time setting and winding of the movement are executed thanks to a never heard of retractable crown, especially created for this model. To wear the timepiece is thus more comfortable and the interaction it generates is truly original.
ENCOUNTER AND SERVICES
David welcomes his clients to his workshop to service their timepieces and exchange experiences. Aside from service, he offers a unique 10-year warranty for all his creations.
PRODUCTION
Keeping in mind David’s philosophy of producing only hand knowledge extends from the history of watchmaking and restoration of antic pieces, to the creation of highly complicated contemporary timepieces.
David is a creative watchmaking craftsman who designs and produces each of the D. Candaux creations. He thoroughly executes the decoration, assembly, and setting of all his timepieces by hand.
THE BEST CRAFTSMANSHIP OF HIGH-END WATCH MAKING
David establishes new bridges linking together the past and the future of watchmaking. His exceptional career path provides him the required foundation and mastery to conceive timepieces with innovatively-designed traditional mechanisms. He is one of the very few to embrace this approach that is only cherished by a few watchmaking craftsmen.
For the sake and love of true watchmaking, David always uses the noblest materials, most performing tools, and the sharpest skills in order to design and make each of his timepieces.
All timepieces handmade by D. Candaux represent a “state of the watchmaking art”. Each piece is created to embody the last word in the current mechanical watchmaking industry.
PRODUCTION, CREATION AND PHILOSOPHY
The new D. Candaux creations start with the limited edition of his “First Eight”. Designed as a strong and unique set, it embodies the advent of his newly invented “1740” caliber.
David also creates unique models that are customizable upon request. Some of the available options for customized pieces are: fire enamel, precious materials, stones setting, engraving, and many others. These timepieces are entirely dedicated to their owner, the only person whom David reveals it to. All pieces made with prestigious materials like gold and platinum are always limited to 8 pieces.
TECHNICAL VIRTUOSITY
The caliber of the “1740” is fully unprecedented and entirely conceived by David. Such an approach is extremely rare in the watchmaking industry as most watchmakers use already existing movements that they modify most of the time.
The watchmaker cultivates a mind of innovation. He invents or reinterprets spontaneously every mechanism, technical solution, or decorative pattern.
For instance, the Côtes du Solliat, which is an unprecedented watchmaking decoration, reinterprets a traditional decorative pattern from the Vallée de Joux. It is engraved on Titanium, which is a very hard material to work on.
Thanks to nowadays manufacturing technologies, the use of Titanium is in David’s mind for the realization of the main plate and bridges. Indeed, Titanium does not need any surface treatment, and is thus a current equivalent alternative to the nickel silver from the old days.
Keeping in mind David’s philosophy of making only hand-made timepieces, the production of D. Candaux is naturally limited to approximately 14 to 16 pieces a year. This allows all the due attention to the realization of each one of these high-end creations.