Dubey & Schaldenbrand Element Series

Dubey & Schaldenbrand Element Series


by Johnny McElherron

Dubey & Schaldenbrand brings together the richness of gold and the modernity of black PVD to produce two superb models for their Grand Shar collection which takes inspiration from far eastern cultures.

Dubey & Schaldenbrand Element Series – Craftsmanship and Exclusivity

Contemporary design, new technology and traditional values – all are important at Dubey & Schaldenbrand and it is an ethos which is reflected in their portfolio. Compared to their peers within the watch industry, some of whom can number their history in hundreds of years, Dubey & Schaldenbrand who were established in 1946 are relative newcomers. The company’s founders, Georges Dubey and René Schaldenbrand were vanguards of watchmaking who were committed to innovation. Together they invented a cost-effective enhancement to the split-seconds or Rattrapante function which they named the “Index Mobile”. The brand to which they gave their names is still renowned for its craftsmanship and its exclusivity. In 1995 new owner and vintage watch enthusiast Cinette Robert breathed new life into the business bringing Dubey & Schaldenbrand watches to the attention of watch collectors, and more recently Jonatan Gil hopes to reaffirm the brand’s standing in the industry through improved distribution strategies.

Dubey & Schaldenbrand Element - Black PVD

Dubey & Schaldenbrand Element – Black PVD

Dubey & Schaldenbrand Element Series – Manufactured In-house Dials

Two new models have been unveiled recently, the Grand Shar Black Elements and the Grand Shar Gold Elements, both of which have magnificent in-house manufactured dials. As far as chronographs go, these pieces are just about as refined as they come. At a first glance, only the case side pushers reveal the sports-timing capabilities of both models – on the dials all is quiet and the profiles of the counters are extremely understated.

Dubey & Schaldenbrand Element Series – Minimalist Styling

The dial arrangement associated with a Valjoux 7750 powered wristwatch somehow gets lost in translation on both of these models. The normally defined neat layout of three counters aligned to the left is still there, but only just. The designers at Dubey & Schaldenbrand have created a minimalist inner dial on which only the polished hands of the indications remain. The seconds are displayed at 9 o’clock, chronograph minutes are at 12, with the chronograph hours at the 6 o’clock location. A split-time function is provided by the large central seconds hand and a date window is tucked in between 3 and 4 o’clock. The four large Roman numerals, one at each quarter are elongated and whisker-slim. Visible blued screw, on the lugs and on the case back together with the blued steel central seconds hand provide a clever touch of vibrancy, the antithesis to the otherwise sombre character of these pieces. On the case side the pushers take the form of polished pistons and the squared-off lugs are highly distinctive.

Dubey & Schaldenbrand Element - Rose Gold

Dubey & Schaldenbrand Element – Rose Gold

The automatic Valjoux 7750 base movement has been meticulously decorated and has been modified to include a carved out black rhodium-treated rotor.When fully wound power reserve is up to 48 hours. Two models will be released, in reversed colour schemes of black PVD and 18k rose gold and each version will be limited to 16 pieces. It retails for $22,450.

    Author Bio

    Articles by Johnny McElherron

    CONTRIBUTOR

    Johnny McElherron was busy minding his own business as a successful company director, when one day he fell in love with watches. So deeply that soon after his eureka! moment he established The Watch Press as a vehicle where he could indulge his passion with gusto. What his eye beheld he would write about, in his own unique style, and in time his work penetrated through to numerous national and international mainstream and online publications. Today Johnny creates engaging content for watch industry clients, and in 2014 joined forces with the highly respected watch industry specialists Delos Communications, with whom he works to provide Delos clients with high quality content to ensure no part of their company message gets lost in translation.