Depancel Série R01 Green: history, models and owner reviews

The Depancel Série R01 Green offers an original, automotive-inspired and highly identifiable interpretation of the contemporary automatic watch. With this green version of the Série R01, Depancel continues to explore watchmaking shaped by the codes of classic sports cars, combining a shaped case, a highly graphic dial and a complete automatic movement. The watch immediately stands out through its rounded rectangular format, its green multi-finish dial and its visual architecture directly inspired by automotive grilles and dashboard instruments. This reference is priced from €850, depending on the selected strap and buckle configuration.

What makes this Série R01 Green especially interesting is its ability to exist outside the usual framework of a classic round watch. Depancel is not trying here to reproduce the traditional standards of the dress watch or the sports watch. Instead, the brand creates a shaped watch with strong character, where every detail evokes mechanics, ventilation grilles, gauges and the taut lines of vintage cars. The green dial brings a more distinctive and contemporary touch while remaining measured enough for everyday wear.

What are the characteristics of the Depancel Série R01 Green?

Case of the Depancel Série R01 Green

The case of the Depancel Série R01 Green is made of 316L stainless steel. It measures 43 x 36 mm, with a 50 mm lug-to-lug length, a thickness of 12.9 mm, or 12 mm without the crystal, and a 22 mm lug width. These proportions give the watch real presence without making it excessive, because its shaped design distributes volume differently on the wrist. The case is inspired by the grilles of classic sports cars, with dynamic edges and bevelled areas at 6 and 12 o’clock to improve ergonomics. The top of the case features vertical brushing, while the flanks alternate horizontal brushing and polished areas, creating a play of contrasts that fits perfectly with the brand’s mechanical universe.

Green dial and visual identity

The green dial is one of the defining elements of this Série R01. Depancel highlights a dial with multiple finishes, built around a two-level pattern and widened vertical lines that evoke the ventilation grilles of vintage racing cars. This construction gives the dial real depth and avoids the flat effect sometimes found on simpler shaped watches. The green colour adds a more original presence than more classic versions while remaining subtle enough not to feel excessive. The indexes, inspired by track markers, and the “Depancel Dashboard” hands, inspired by dashboard gauges, directly reinforce the automotive connection.

Readability and calendar display

The Depancel Série R01 Green is not only a style-driven watch: it also offers a particularly complete display. The movement indicates hours, minutes, seconds, day, month, date and 24-hour time. This wealth of information gives the dial a genuinely instrumental dimension without disturbing the overall balance of the design. The hands and indexes are filled with white Super-LumiNova® C1, improving legibility when the light fades. The result is a clear display that still embraces a more expressive dial architecture than a simple three-hand automatic watch.

Movement and performance

The Depancel Série R01 Green is powered by the Miyota 9120 automatic movement. This Japanese calibre is known for its reliability and allows the calendar functions to structure the dial. It offers a 40-hour power reserve, a coherent level for an automatic watch in this category. Depancel also highlights the care given to the oscillating weight, which features a radiator-grille motif and proudly carries the shield logo with three tricolour stars. This detail is especially interesting because it extends the automotive inspiration into the movement itself, visible through the caseback. The Série R01 Green therefore does not merely borrow car-inspired aesthetics; it tries to integrate that universe into the mechanical details as well.

Strap and comfort

The Depancel Série R01 Green is offered with several strap configurations. The official product page notably mentions brown Racing, black and yellow Racing, black Racing, metal, brown Driving and black Driving options, with either a pin buckle or deployant clasp depending on the version. This variety allows the watch to move toward different registers. On a racing strap, it strengthens its connection to automotive codes. On the metal bracelet, it gains a more contemporary and integrated presence. On a driving strap, it adopts a softer, more retro and more elegant look. This ability to change personality depending on the strap is a real advantage for a watch with such a distinctive visual identity.

Water resistance and everyday use

With water resistance of 50 metres, or 5 ATM, the Depancel Série R01 Green is designed for everyday use. It is not intended to be an extreme tool watch, but rather a characterful automatic watch that is comfortable, legible and robust enough for daily life. The sapphire crystal improves scratch resistance, while the 5-year warranty and assembly in France reinforce the coherence of the proposition. The Série R01 Green will especially appeal to enthusiasts looking for something different, with a real design identity, without giving up the practicality of a complete automatic movement.

Depancel Série R01 Green: an automotive, graphic and accessible automatic watch

With the Série R01 Green, Depancel offers a watch that fully embraces its automotive inspiration. The shaped 316L steel case, structured green dial, Miyota 9120 automatic movement, calendar functions and numerous strap options create a coherent and highly recognisable whole. This watch does not try to seduce through absolute discretion, but through the strength of its design, its relationship with automotive mechanics and its balance between style, functionality and accessible pricing. It may appeal to enthusiasts looking for an original, expressive and easy-to-wear automatic watch.

Conclusion

The Depancel Série R01 Green is aimed at enthusiasts looking for a shaped automatic watch inspired by the automotive world and endowed with real visual personality. Thanks to its green dial, 43 x 36 mm case, Miyota 9120 movement and complete calendar display, it offers a highly appealing interpretation of the contemporary sporty-chic watch.

Dialicious customer reviews are a relevant way to choose the watch that truly suits you.

(Updated July 2026)