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183
David Candaux
Ref. DC12 "Emblème"
DC12 Embème "Prototype"
A groundbreaking titanium prototype wristwatch with double escapement and differential
- Estimate
- CHF45,000 - 90,000€48,500 - 97,100$56,500 - 113,000
CHF203,200
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- David Candaux
- Year
- 2025
- Reference No
- DC12 "Emblème"
- Movement No
- Movement engraved Prototype and α
- Model Name
- DC12 Embème "Prototype"
- Material
- Titanium
- Calibre
- Manual, cal. C30, jeweled
- Bracelet/Strap
- Canvas
- Clasp/Buckle
- Titanium David Candaux deployant clasp, copies of technical drawings
- Dimensions
- 39.5mm diameter
- Signed
- Dial and clasp signed
- Accessories
- Accompanied by fitted transport case and original sketches.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
David Candaux had until now only created tourbillon wristwatches and the present DC12 “Emblème” is his first time only watch but is anything but simple. It features a fully inhouse double escapement movement with differential featuring two independent balance wheels compensated with a differential gear (visible at 12 o’clock). Having two balances connected in this way enables greater accuracy as it allows the balances to average out their rates. If one runs slightly faster and the other a bit slower, the rate variations would cancel each other out. Furthermore, this system produces less variation across all different positions.
Candaux first came in to contact with this system in the mid 1990s when he was an apprentice at Jaeger LeCoultre and the double escapement pocket watch from the Ecole Technique de la Vallée de Joux came for restoration. This is the same pocket watch (dating from the 1930s) from which Philippe Dufour took his inspiration for the Duality. Speaking of which, when Candaux held the Duality in his hands for the first time the watch totally made sense to him and sparked the desire to make a double escapement of his own.
He started sketching a double escapement around 2008 and made a very first prototype around 2012/2013 but was dissatisfied with the result. In 2021 he finally decided to develop his own chronometer with double escapement and differential, understanding the functioning of two escapements and one movement was challenging but 4 years and 5 patents later the present DC12 was born. The present prototype features a highly ergonomic curved case, and an absolutely stunning 7 level dial. A sand blasted main dial is fitted with a white opal hour ring, the inclined minutes indexes are all of different sizes and follow the shape of the dial.
The C30 caliber fully developed inhouse by Candaux is astonishing, superbly crafted and finished, one remains mesmerized by the dance of the two balances side by side.
Contrary to the production pieces the present DC12 Prototype has a movement made of German silver (Candaux will be using titanium for production pieces movements). 5 prototypes were made with different levels of finishing, the present is the very first one and labeled α .
Candaux first came in to contact with this system in the mid 1990s when he was an apprentice at Jaeger LeCoultre and the double escapement pocket watch from the Ecole Technique de la Vallée de Joux came for restoration. This is the same pocket watch (dating from the 1930s) from which Philippe Dufour took his inspiration for the Duality. Speaking of which, when Candaux held the Duality in his hands for the first time the watch totally made sense to him and sparked the desire to make a double escapement of his own.
He started sketching a double escapement around 2008 and made a very first prototype around 2012/2013 but was dissatisfied with the result. In 2021 he finally decided to develop his own chronometer with double escapement and differential, understanding the functioning of two escapements and one movement was challenging but 4 years and 5 patents later the present DC12 was born. The present prototype features a highly ergonomic curved case, and an absolutely stunning 7 level dial. A sand blasted main dial is fitted with a white opal hour ring, the inclined minutes indexes are all of different sizes and follow the shape of the dial.
The C30 caliber fully developed inhouse by Candaux is astonishing, superbly crafted and finished, one remains mesmerized by the dance of the two balances side by side.
Contrary to the production pieces the present DC12 Prototype has a movement made of German silver (Candaux will be using titanium for production pieces movements). 5 prototypes were made with different levels of finishing, the present is the very first one and labeled α .