The Renaud Tixier Monday watch presents a compelling fusion of innovation and artisanal craftsmanship that marks a significant evolution in haute horlogerie. As the brand’s flagship creation, it revisits classical watchmaking archetypes with a contemporary and confident design language. This latest iteration, introduced during Dubai Watch Week and showcased exclusively at Perptuel Gallery, reveals a refined dial and a movement that not only challenges winding inefficiencies but does so with unparalleled finishing and technical sophistication.
The dial of the Monday is an eloquent exercise in nuanced design and material harmony. It adopts a sector layout that lends the watch a more assertive character, framed by a larger flange mirroring the geometry of the minute track, which adds visual depth. The dial’s texture is a distinctive interplay of a grain pattern enlivened by a circular satin finish at its heart, harmonising with the subtle chiseled motifs visible on the case flanks and between the lugs. The applied indices, coated in either rose gold or white gold depending on the model, are sculptural and bolder than before, with a double index at twelve o’clock providing clear orientation. The small seconds subdial replants itself as a visual echo of the outer minute track, enhancing the dial’s taut geometry. The colourways, British Racing Green with a warm rose gold case and petrol blue paired with white gold, offer distinct personalities, each complemented by matching leather straps that imbue the watch with textural richness. Branding remains discreet to keep focus on the dial’s intricate architecture, which manages to be both calmer to read and more complex to contemplate.
At the movement’s core lies the RVI2023 calibre, a groundbreaking mechanism distinguished by a patented micro-rotor system featuring a central inertia wheel, an industry first devised by Dominique Renaud himself. This invention markedly improves winding efficiency by capturing energy that would ordinarily dissipate, highlighting a commitment to innovation within a traditional framework. The movement is a masterpiece of technical prowess and decorating virtuosity. Consisting of 274 components and 31 jewels, it beats at a deliberate frequency of 18,000 vibrations per hour, and boasts a power reserve of at least 60 hours. The finishing is of the highest calibre, with an astonishing 187 interior angles meticulously beveled by hand, a reflection of Julien Tixier’s mastery of traditional craft techniques. The bridges and balance cock are executed in lightweight titanium, while the mainplate and barrel bridge use German silver, chosen for its aesthetic and mechanical properties. The micro-rotor is lavishly gold-plated platinum, paired with a platinum inertia wheel, and the barrel ratchet wheel is an exquisite combination of hand chiselling and violet grand feu enamel, a vivid yet elegant feature that merges function with artfulness.
The case of the Monday is a study in restrained elegance. Measuring 40.8mm in diameter with a lug-to-lug length of 51.3mm, it strikes a balanced wrist presence, neither imposing nor diminutive. The case height, including the domed sapphire crystal, is 12.6mm, maintaining a slim profile relative to its technical sophistication. Crafted from either white gold or rose gold to match the dial, the case features hand-engraved flanks and decorative plates positioned delicately between the lugs, enriching its tactile and visual appeal without overwhelming the overall aesthetic. The sapphire crystal on both front and back ensures clear views of the dial and the tour de force movement within, while the water resistance of 30 metres safeguards against everyday exposure. The attention to detail in the case’s execution underscores the dialogue between engineering and artistic expression that defines Renaud Tixier.
The Renaud Tixier Monday watch stands as an exceptional expression of independent watchmaking, where innovation is harmoniously interwoven with artisanal tradition. It elevates the familiar three-hand watch format through technical ingenuity, exquisite finishing, and considered design refinement. The dial’s refreshed architecture and sophisticated colourways project a confident new identity without forsaking the clarity and elegance essential to its neoclassical roots. The movement, through its patented micro-rotor system and outstanding decoration, asserts a compelling technical narrative that will resonate deeply with collectors who appreciate both form and function. Presented exclusively at Perptuel Gallery during Dubai Watch Week, this watch is a striking example of how haute horlogerie continues to thrive through a delicate balance of innovation, craftsmanship, and timeless design..
