The movement powering the DC 6 Solstice Titanium is a David Candaux-made and -designed manually wound caliber comprised of 287 parts. It is a time-only watch that includes a power-reserve indicator and a tourbillon. The movement operates at 3Hz (21,600 bph) with a power reserve of 55 hours. Note that the number of 55 hours has been specially chosen because that is the amount of time the movement can operate within chronometric standards. As watch movement mainsprings wind down (for example), they offer less torque to a movement and, in most instances, that results in poor timing. Thus, the “accurate” running time of the DC 6 Half Hunter is 55 hours — a detail most other watches would not even bother to specify.
If you look closely at the tourbillon, you’ll notice the hand-flame-blued bridge but also that the tourbillon is inclined at an angle. This movement’s architectural detail was first popularized by Swiss Greubel Forsey and isn’t just for show. Without getting into too much detail, when it comes to a timepiece worn on the wrist (as opposed to a pocket watch or a table clock), an inclined balance wheel inside a tourbillon cage offers more accuracy over time than a standard horizontal-oriented tourbillon. Adjacent to the tourbillon window is a dial for the time with just hours and minutes. On the D. Candaux DC 1 watch, the center of the main dial had a running seconds hand, but it was removed for aesthetic reasons in the DC 6 because the tourbillon now has a small seconds hand as part of its design.
Serious fans of high-end independent watchmakers will be thrilled with the DC 6 Solstice Half Hunter watch, given how many boxes it checks off on the list of “what I am looking for is a seriously unique and well-finished” timepiece. The aesthetic design isn’t for everyone, and it certainly has a distinctive “watch nerd” (as opposed to a “let me wear it on a date”) appeal. It does, however, serve its purpose as a conversation starter: “Oh, you want me to tell you more about my quarter-million-dollar piece of pretty titanium on my wrist? Do you know where the Vallee du Joux is? Oh, you don’t, well have a seat and let’s start with a story about metal polishing…”
The market for high-end independent watches like the David Candaux DC 6 Solstice Titanium Half Hunter 1740 is niche but stable. With the global economy stagnant, I think the effort for people like Mr. Candaux isn’t to appeal to new ultra-rich people but rather those enthusiasts who have been the traditional men and women (it’s mostly men at this time in history) who are patrons of such art. To get their attention, watchmakers like David Candaux need to not only impress them with quality and design but also offer comfort and practicality. More or less gone are the days when even the ultra-rich would plop down hundreds of thousands for uncomfortable watches destined to live in a safe somewhere. The focus on wearing ergonomics, spirited style, and utility is apparent in the DC6 series and a benefit to what Mr. Candaux does. All I need now is to be able to afford tomonta buy one. Price for the D. Candaux limited edition of eight pieces each DC 6 Solstice Titanium Half Hunter 1740 watch is $273,000 USD. Learn more at the D. Candaux website here.
