The New and Accessible Depancel Allure Automatic Chronograph (incl. Video)

French brand Depancel has a distinct automotive-inspired approach to watchmaking, which starts with its name. The name Depancel is derived from Delage, Panhard and Facel Vega, three of the most respected French car manufacturers. With such a backstory, it’s not hard to figure out what Depancel loves to do most; build car- and motorcycle-inspired watches! The latest model to be released, the Depancel Allure Automatic Chronograph, follows the 39mm hand-wound and bargain-like version we saw a couple of months ago. 

Earlier this year, Depancel treated us with a nice, compact and truly accessible hand-wound chronograph in the Allure collection. Powered by a Seagull movement, a China-made recreation of an old Venus column wheen calibre, this watch made quite an impression despite its mundane origins. Let’s say that the 650 euros price tag made it truly attractive. Completing the collection today is a bolder, larger and now self-winding version, the Depancel Allure Automatic Chronograph. Same base ingredients, different recipe.

The new Allure Automatic Chronograph fits right into the category of racing timing devices, with its relatively large 43mm by 15mm steel case. Its lug-to-lug measurement is 48.5mm, meaning it wears on the larger side but isn’t exaggeratedly big either on the wrist. Finished with brushed surfaces and polished accents, the feeling of sturdiness and quality is undeniable. The right side of the case shows an octagonal crown with an orange decorative ring, flanked by a set of mushroom-style pushers. The box-shaped sapphire crystal keeps the dial safe, while a second crystal does the same for the movement.

With a fixed black bezel and silver-and-orange tachymeter scale, it follows the style we’ve seen in the Serie-A Allure Jürgen Clauss Chronograph limited edition. Yet, while that came in a two-register chronograph layout, this new addition to Depancel’s collection has a three-register chronograph dial in silver-oanda or blue instead.

The centre of the dial, whether for the blue or panda version, is finished with a cross-hatched pattern, with large luminescent markers on the outer perimeter. The chronograph indications have orange hands and details, and there’s a date window at 04:30. The racing theme is clearly pleasant but also it has a nice sense of depth and details all around, making this watch lively and original. it doesn’t reinvent the genre but does come with its own personality.

The automatic Sellita SW510 chronograph movement powering the Depancel Allure Automatic Chronograph can be seen through the sapphire crystal caseback. It runs at a rate of 28,800 vibrations/hour and offers a comfortable running time of 62 hours. Although the finishing is a touch industrial, the custom rotor carries the Depancel logo and is finished with angled lines on the outer section, mimicking a brake disc design.

The Depancel Allure Automatic Chronograph is not limited in production and comes on a black or blue leather strap with a padded design and orange stitching – again with a clear racing inspiration. Alternatively, the brand also offers a stainless steel bracelet. Retailing for EUR 2,400 or USD 2,400 this powerful motorsport instrument is more expensive than the Seagull movement version, which is to be expected with its Swiss engine. But it remains accessibly priced and it is a cool racing-inspired chronograph that wouldn’t look out of place on the racetrack!

For more details, make sure to check the video at the top of this article and visit depancel.com.