The new David Candaux DC12 MaveriK with Double Balance Wheel

Raised in a family of watchmakers, David Candaux has a deep appreciation for the history of the craft, something evident in all his creations. For him, however, tradition is not about repetition. While he is a true representative of the Vallée de Joux expertise – combining complex watchmaking with refined craftsmanship – his watches remain in a class of their own. After years working behind the scenes for various brands, Candaux introduced his first watch under his own name, the DC1, in 2017. Several compelling creations followed, but eight years later, the independent watchmaker now reaches a new milestone with the DC12 MaveriK, a double balance watch, years in the making, and that’s really worth a closer look.

The Vallee de Joux at heart

The presence of one single heart is ingrained in our idea of biology and extended conceptually to watchmaking. In order to live – or to indicate the time accurately – one only needs a single beating heart. But there are a few creatures with multiple hearts. And more and more watches come with multiple regulating organs…

Among other potential reasons, watchmakers have mainly fitted watches with two or more regulators to enhance their precision. A first solution consists of using two oscillators and differential gears to average out their rate. Thanks to this sophisticated gearing, the balance wheels compensate for each other’s errors. Therefore, the time displayed is an average of their rate.

This technical solution should not be confused with resonance. Just as with differential gears, the aim with this solution is to take advantage of two oscillators to enhance precision. In this case, however, precision is improved by relying on the phenomenon of resonance, which is related to the fact that two oscillating bodies in proximity influence each other and eventually synchronise.

But let’s go back to our differentials… inspired by the rare 1930s double regulator calibre pocket watch made at the Ecole Technique de la Vallée de Joux, Philippe Dufour was the first to bring this concept into a wristwatch with its iconic Duality, presented in 1996 and of which only 9 pieces have been crafted. A seminal watchmaking figure of the Vallée de Joux, Philippe Dufour has his workshop located in the small village of Le Solliat, just like David Candaux. The now legendary watchmaker has always been a source of inspiration and a steady, supportive presence for David Candaux.

A patented dampening system for the differential

In a nod to the Vallée’s tradition, it is now David’s turn to propose his own take on the double balance watch with differential. However, in his characteristic style, the DC12 MaveriK eschews classic aesthetics in favour of an assertive design. And it comes with a few technical specificities too.

As explained above, the use of two regulators in a mechanical watch is an efficient solution to enhance its precision. The differential averages the rate differential between these two beating hearts. Yet, each escapement requires its own driving force. Simultaneous demands can sometimes disturb the movement or even cause a stoppage. To overcome this problem, watchmakers who have developed such movements have tended to move the differential – the system’s keystone – away from the seconds’ train… at the expense of precision. Indeed, if one averages the rates at the level of the centre wheel, the benefits can only be minimal.

For David Candaux, this was out of the question. He therefore envisioned equipping his differential system with a patented mechanism to ensure a smooth functioning of the two regulators. This patented solution absorbs perturbations, adjusts and allows the two independent balances to dialogue freely. At its heart, a hairspring dampens any interferences in case of simultaneous energy demand, preventing amplitude drops that could affect the watch’s precision.

A compact 39.5mm case in grade 5 titanium

Now that we’ve gone through the underlying technical concept of the watch, let’s continue with the basics.

Beyond this technical aspect, the David Candaux DC12 MaveriK clearly follows the lineage of the independent watchmaker’s previous creations, yet it represents a new evolutionary step. With its fluid, curved, asymmetrical design, it stands apart from anything else on the market.

Fashioned out of grade 5 titanium, it comes in a more compact 39.5mm case with a more circular, less oval shape than previous models. With its surprisingly curved profile, it sits comfortably on the wrist. The alternating polished and satin surfaces emphasise the singularity of its lines. Last but not least, it retains a “magic” retractable crown located at 6 o’clock that is unlocked by pressing on it.

The dial pushes this pursuit of harmony with a circular opening while curving delicately to follow the case’s shape. To follow the curvature of the dial, each one of the titanium indexes has a precise angle and length. The central hours disc, in white opal, is ringed with diamond-polished edges. The hands are flame blued. At 12 o’clock, a small second’s round opening allows you to discover the two balance wheels and the differential with its coiled “interference-absorber.”

The new C30 stepped calibre

Turning the DC12 MaveriK over, the sapphire caseback exposes the compelling architecture of the hand-crafted, hand-finished movement. The hand-wound calibre C30 is a stepped design, with its grade 5 titanium bridges on different planes to follow the case’s curvature. And of course, there is the mesmerising ballet of the two regulating organs. Beating at 21,600 vibrations/hour, these are fitted with large, variable-inertia balance wheels with gold mean-time screws. The hairsprings feature a Phillips terminal curve. The power reserve is rated at 58 hours on two series-coupled barrels. The calibre C30 integrates a patented winding system. The winding click and spring work together as a safety system, and unwanted backflow is blocked, ensuring smooth winding.

Altogether, besides its unique design, three patents have been filed during the development of the DC12 MaveriK.

Availability & Price

Water-resistant to 50 meters, the intriguing David Candaux DC12 comes on a handmade rubber strap closed with a velcro clasp engraved with David Candaux’s logo. The price is set at CHF 98,000 (excl. taxes). This hand-crafted watch is not a limited edition but limited by the production capacity at David Candaux’s workshop.

For more details, visit davidcandaux.com.