David Candaux 1740 “The First 8″ Steel Tourbillon

Up for grabs is a David Candaux 1740 “The First 8.”

Introduced at Baselworld 2017, the 1740 was David Candaux’s first watch under his own name. Limited to just 8 pieces, it takes its name from the year watchmaking was first documented in the Vallée de Joux. The current evolution of this model is known as the DC1.

The watch is housed in a 43mm stainless steel case with an asymmetrical box sapphire crystal and David Candaux’s signature retractable crown hidden at 6 o’clock.

The dial is crafted from hand-grained pink gold and built on an inclined plane, rising toward 12 o’clock and descending toward 6. Time is displayed on an off-center enamel subdial featuring a wind rose motif, while Le Cœur et L’Esprit is engraved directly into the dial.

Powering the watch is the manually wound Calibre 1740, featuring inclined wheels and bridges, a 55-hour power reserve, central seconds, power reserve indication, and a spectacular 30-degree inclined flying tourbillon. The movement is finished with untreated titanium bridges, hand-executed anglage, polished details, and David Candaux’s own Côtes du Solliat decoration.

This early creation differs in several notable ways from today’s DC1. The crown is sterile, whereas current models carry Candaux’s logo. The inner rehaut is also blank on the First 8, while current production has moved both Le Cœur & L’Esprit and David Candaux onto the rehaut. Likewise, the name at 12 o’clock has since been replaced by the brand’s logo.

The Calibre 1740 remains largely unchanged today, with the most noticeable differences being updated screws and the early movements carrying David Candaux’s engraved signature above the logo.

As is often the case with early independent watches, the First 8 possesses a certain charm and “raw” feel that later production inevitably evolves away from. Now approximately ten years old, this example remains in excellent overall condition and is fitted with its original strap, which is also exceptionally well preserved.

Although the watch is running properly, I will cover the cost of a complete factory overhaul by David Candaux for the next owner.