Clement Meynier, an engineer, was fascinated by the automotive and horological world, which led him to enroll in a watchmaking training center in Geneva. Six years ago, he established his watch brand called Depancel, a name derived from a combination of three French car manufacturers: Delage, Panhard, and Facel. He aims to create watches that embody the same philosophies and creative freedom as those represented by these historic brands. Since its beginning, they have also established strong connections with the motorsport world. This includes participating in events such as the Rétromobile Paris and Epoqu’Auto Lyon and serving as the Official Sponsor of GPX Racing. Most recently, the company has partnered with the Masters Historic Championship at Silverstone in the UK.
New for 2024, Depancel is updating its Allure watch with a sleeker and more refined 36mm stainless steel case. The lug-to-lug tip measurement is only 42.8mm, and the overall thickness is just 10.95mm, making it suitable for any gender or wrist size. The cushion case design of this watch is inspired by the 1970s, and it is made almost entirely of brushed steel, with the bezel being the only part that is mirror-polished. The short angular lugs and the shape of the end links give the appearance of an integrated bracelet, even though it is not. This design allows the watch to resemble an integrated bracelet sports watch, which is currently very popular while allowing you to pair it with your preferred straps.
Powering the new Depancel Allure is the Mecha-Quartz Seiko caliber SII VK63 movement. If you’re unfamiliar with it, these movements offer the best of both worlds by combining the precision of quartz timing with the tactile experience of a mechanical chronograph. Collectors appreciate this movement because it provides a satisfying, responsive feeling when activating the chronograph and the smooth second-hand sweep we prefer. Additionally, one significant benefit is its size. Most traditional mechanical chronograph movements would never allow such a slim, modern case size. Its subdial functions include a 24-hour counter at 3 o’clock, constant running seconds at 6 o’clock, and a 60-minute chronograph totalizer at 9 o’clock.
The bold use of orange, red, and yellow on the dial, along with the red stripe on the octagonal crown, really complements the automotive experience. These elements pair exceptionally well with the monolink bracelet, which wraps around and culminates in a double-deployant butterfly clasp. The overall look is sleek and fast. Weighing in at only 130g on the full-length bracelet, it is water-resistant to 50 meters, and it is priced at 595 Euros. The Depancel Allure is available now. Depancel
