DC7 Blue Hawk: The Fusion of Power and Lightness

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The David Candaux DC7 Blue Hawk emerges as a striking ode to independent watchmaking, a creation that both seduces and challenges the senses. This timepiece, limited to a scant eight examples, is the result of a deeply personal vision, sculpted in light and tension, and inspired by the blue hawk—an avatar of speed, precision, and the harmonious interplay between power and lightness. The DC7 Blue Hawk is not simply a display of technical prowess, but an invitation to experience watchmaking as an art form, where every detail is imbued with meaning and every choice reflects the singular genius of its creator.

David Candaux stands as a paragon of independent horology. Hailing from the Vallée de Joux, the cradle of Swiss watchmaking, he draws upon a lineage steeped in tradition yet unafraid to break new ground. Since the establishment of his eponymous brand in 2017, Candaux has become synonymous with boundless creativity, inventive spirit, and an unwavering commitment to craftsmanship. His atelier in Le Solliat is a sanctuary where technical innovation and artisanal expertise converge, giving rise to creations celebrated for their complex mechanisms and unique aesthetics. Each timepiece is conceived and assembled with passion, often featuring patented innovations that enrich contemporary horology while honouring the legacy of master watchmakers. Candaux’s philosophy revolves around crafting watches that speak to both heart and mind, a credo inscribed within the very architecture of his movements.

First Appearance and Emotions

Upon first glance, the dial of the DC7 Blue Hawk captivates with its layered complexity and sculptural volumes. Eschewing the conventions of perfect centring, Candaux embraces masterful asymmetry, drawing inspiration from Da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man to achieve a dynamic balance. The six-layer dial, executed in blue-anodised titanium, plays with shadow and light, its depth accentuated by a domed sapphire crystal that amplifies the watch’s visual presence. The hour and minute display is off-centred, a deliberate nod to the pursuit of harmony through tension. At 12 o’clock, the 30° inclined flying tourbillon commands attention, its anodised blue titanium cage resonating with the dial’s vibrant hue. The small seconds, rendered in white lacquered titanium, is integrated directly into the tourbillon, encircled by a graduated blue ring that enhances legibility. Baton indexes, inspired by the architecture of CERN’s ATLAS hadron collider, are subtly embedded on a lower plane, their Super-LumiNova contours creating a mesmerising interplay of light and shadow. The minute track, precisely integrated along the inner periphery, optimises readability without disturbing the aesthetic equilibrium. The hands, with their openwork centres and blue Super-LumiNova triangles, combine clarity, elegance, and technical refinement, echoing the dial’s contemporary spirit.

Calibre H70: Finishes and Technical Specifications

Beneath the dial lies the H70 calibre, a movement that embodies both technical mastery and aesthetic sophistication. Crafted entirely from titanium and featuring a tourbillon inclined at a subtle 30°, the movement is a study in reliability and innovation. Comprising 189 components, it features a tourbillon cage of just 29 parts, weighing 0.40 grams. The 30° inclined flying tourbillon, positioned at 12 o’clock, introduces a new balance wheel to the Candaux collection and is engineered for outstanding chronometric performance. The movement features 28 jewels, set in gold chatons, and a power reserve of 72 hours delivered by two coaxial, series-coupled fast-rotating barrels. The in-house variable-inertia balance wheel, with gold mean-time screws and a Phillips terminal curve, operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour. The bridges and main plate, also in titanium, are adorned with straight-grained surfaces, hand-polished bevels, and inward-angled chamfers, all executed by hand. The movement side features a black-polished titanium tourbillon bridge, gold plate with engraved and grained number, and a yellow gold medallion bearing the “bear head” logo. Every detail, from the grained bridges to the pearled baseplate, reveals a level of hand-finishing that speaks to Candaux’s devotion to the craft. The motto “Heart and Mind” is inscribed within the movement, encapsulating the philosophy that animates each creation.

Sculpture for the Wrist

The DC7 Blue Hawk’s case is a original and beautiful example in ergonomic design and visual intrigue. Measuring 44mm in diameter and 14mm in height, the basin-shaped form is asymmetric from 6 to 12 o’clock, yet achieves symmetry from 3 to 9 o’clock. Crafted from Grade 5 titanium and fully hand-polished, the case shimmers with deep reflections that echo the dial’s intense blue. The “magic crown,” a patented retractable innovation composed of 31 components, is seamlessly integrated at 6 o’clock, preserving the fluid silhouette of the watch. This crown, with its pressure release mechanism and three positions (neutral, time setting, winding), is a technical marvel in itself. The curved titanium side lugs ensure a natural fit on the wrist, while the sapphire case back and engraved details reinforce the artisanal ethos of the piece. Water resistance is rated at 5 atm (50 metres), and the strap, offered in handmade rubber with a choice of Velcro, folding, or pin buckle, completes the ensemble with comfort and character.

Reflections on Independent Watchmaking and David Candaux’s Approach

The DC7 Blue Hawk is a vivid illustration of what independent watchmaking can achieve when guided by vision and courage. David Candaux’s refusal to conform to established norms has yielded a watch that is both poetic and technically audacious. His relentless pursuit of balance, between symmetry and asymmetry, complexity and purity, imbues each piece with a unique personality. The DC7 Blue Hawk is an example of technical skill and a vessel for emotion, inviting the wearer on a sensory journey through shifting reflections and tactile delight. In a world where so much is dictated by convention, Candaux’s work stands as a beacon for those who value originality, artistry, and the enduring allure of the handmade.

David Candaux DC7 Blue Hawk Technical Specifications

Limited Edition: 8 pieces only

Movement

Calibre: In-house H70, hand-wound, entirely in titanium
Patents: 3 patented innovations
Inclination: Movement inclined at 3° relative to the case
Tourbillon: Single-axis flying, inclined at 30°, 60-second revolution, titanium and blue-anodised titanium cage
Components: 189 (movement), 29 (tourbillon cage)
Weight of Tourbillon Cage: 0.40 g
Jewels: 28, semi-gloss ruby set in solid gold chatons
Power Reserve: 72 hours, delivered by two coaxial, series-coupled fast-rotating barrels with fixed-flange spring
Balance Wheel: In-house variable-inertia, gold mean-time screws, diameter 10 mm
Frequency: 21,600 vibrations/hour (3 Hz)
Balance Spring: Phillips terminal curve, titanium stud and stud holder
Finishing: Straight-grained titanium bridges and main plate, hand-polished bevels and chamfers, inward beveled angles, pearling under the bridges, black-polished titanium tourbillon bridge, gold plate with engraved and grained number, yellow gold medallion with “bear head” logo
Displays: Off-centred hours and minutes, small seconds integrated into the tourbillon at 12 o’clock

Case

Material: Grade 5 titanium, fully hand-polished
Diameter: 44 mm (caseband)
Height: 14 mm
Shape: Asymmetric from 6 to 12 o’clock, symmetric from 3 to 9 o’clock, basin-shaped
Lugs: Curved titanium side lugs
Case Back: Sapphire, with clipped olive at 6 o’clock
Engravings: “David Candaux” and “Handcrafted” on each side of the “magic crown” (black lacquered background); “Limited Edition”, “DC7”, and “Waterproof 50M” on the back
Water Resistance: 5 atm (50 m / 164 ft)
Crystal: Domed sapphire

Crown

Type: “Magic” crown, patented retractable innovation, 31 components
Positions: Neutral, time setting, winding
Pressure Release Mechanism: Integrated

Dial

Material: Blue-anodised titanium
Construction: Multi-level “sandwich”-type, six layers
Indexes: Baton hour indexes, triangular index at 6 o’clock, Super-LumiNova contours, all embedded into lower levels
Minute Track: Integrated along the inner periphery

Hands

Design: Hours and minutes with central opening, beveled edges, blue Super-LumiNova triangle at tip, hand-polished
Small Seconds: White lacquered titanium, integrated into the tourbillon

Strap and Clasp