David Candaux - History, Models and Owners' Reviews

David Candaux is an independent brand founded in 2017 in Le Solliat, Vallée de Joux, by the eponymous watchmaker. The company operates in contemporary high horology with very small volumes, where ergonomics, legibility and the staging of mechanics drive each creation.

Aesthetic and mechanical signatures

The brand’s vocabulary is defined by a retractable crown integrated at 6 o’clock (“Magic Crown”), a 30° inclined tourbillon, a slight tilt of the reading plane toward 6 o’clock, and structural use of titanium for plates and bridges, all finished to a high standard. This combination—inclined tourbillon, flush crown and titanium architecture—creates a technical identity that is instantly legible on the wrist.

Families and key models

The collection revolves around three main families, each clarifying intent: manifesto piece (DC1), more tactile and decorative piece (DC6), and “high-end daily” piece with central hands (DC7). As a quick map, think “foundational debut” (DC1), “material and hand-guilloché under the fingertips” (DC6), and “wearability with central display” (DC7).

• David Candaux DC1 1740 The First 8 — The brand’s debut series: 30° inclined tourbillon, pop-up crown at 6 o’clock, asymmetric dial and top-tier finishing.
• David Candaux DC6 Half Hunter / Solstice — A more “tactile” take: exposed guilloché, subtly inclined bezel/surface, dual sapphire domes on certain versions.
• David Candaux DC7 Blue Hawk — Central hours/minutes, tourbillon at 12, curved lugs and integrated “Magic Crown” for more versatile wear.
• David Candaux DC7 Green Titanium — Contemporary titanium iteration: dial inclined by 3° toward 6 o’clock for a better viewing angle, with a sport-chic character.

Positioning, production and distribution

The brand sits at the apex of the independent segment: ultra-high-end pieces made in extremely limited quantities, primarily via direct relationships from the workshop and a few specialized partners. Pricing varies widely by material (titanium, precious metals), level of personalization and complexity. In practice, production amounts to at most a few dozen watches per year, each supported by close dialogue between creator and collector.

Conclusion

The brand targets enthusiasts of independent watchmaking who want sculptural aesthetics, refined ergonomics and a technical signature that is instantly perceivable (inclined tourbillon, flush crown). Identifiable by coherent legibility and ambitious finishing, it offers a tiered entry: David Candaux DC1 1740 The First 8 for the founding DNA, David Candaux DC6 Half Hunter / Solstice for material and guilloché, and David Candaux DC7 Blue Hawk for more direct day-to-day wear. To weigh wrist presence, degree of openness and use case, refer to Dialicious customer reviews to inform a long-term decision.

(Updated August 2025)