Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The Robust & Cool Depancel Serie-A Allure Jürgen Clauss Chronograph Limited Edition (Video & Live Pics)
The second colaboration between the French car-inspired watch company and Alpine A110 specialist Jürgen Clauss.
French independent watchmaking company Depancel has been making waves with its classic car-inspired collections, such as the striking Serie R or the accessible Legend 60s Chronograph. Another solid offering from the French outfit is the Serie-A Allure, a robust automatic chronograph blending classical styling with modern proportions. Equipped with a New Old Stock Valjoux 7753 movement, the Serie-A now becomes the canvas of an enjoyable and refreshing limited edition, made with Alpine A110 specialist Jürgen Clauss.
The chronograph has always been one of the most popular complications in the industry, and there are plenty out there to enjoy from affordable to ultra-expensive and everything in between. Born on the race track, the sports or racing chronograph has always been one of the strongest sub-genres. It looks just as good on the circuit as it does on it, and the connection between cars and watches has always been immensely strong. And as we’ve said, this new Depancel Serie-A Allure Jürgen Clauss Chronograph L.E. is a very cool one! It is the second collaboration between Depancel and Jürgen Clauss, who’s the founder and specialist behind the Alpine A110 platform AlpineLAB.
It’s built upon the Serie-A Allure we’ve come to know and love, and mixes in a new style for the dial and a vibrant combination of blue and light green, almost turquoise. The case measures 43mm in diameter and 15mm in height, so it sits on the larger end of the spectrum. It has a fixed two-tone tachymeter bezel with light green markings on the black section and white ones on the blue section. A domed sapphire crystal covers the front, while a second sapphire crystal does the same around the back. The octagonally shaped crown, with a decorative blue ring, is flanked by two pump-style pushers for the chronograph. On the opposite end of the case, there’s a plaque with the watch’s limitation and a corrector for the date.
The sunray-brushed dial reveals a great deal of detail. It has a lot of depth thanks to the multiple levels, applied indices, sloped outer flange and polished rings around the black subdials. The small seconds on the left are finished with a light green scale and a white hand, and vice versa for the chronograph 30 minutes on the right side. The large central hour and minute hands have a Super-LumiNova insert and are joined by a light green chronograph seconds hand. The finishing touches on the dial are the luminous logo at 12′, the framed date window at 6′ and the ‘Jürgen CLAUSS’ signature just above it. It all looks and feels the part, and the touch of light green is very refreshing!
Depancel opted for a ‘New Old Stock’ Valjoux 7753 automatic chronograph movement, just as in previous iterations of the Serie-A Allure. This robust and reliable movement comes with that signature Valjoux wobble, which is caused by the spinning of the rotor. Every now and then you can feel the rotor spinning at speed, which makes the watch wobble ever so slightly. I always found it a fun little detail that reminds me your watch is still working. The movement runs at a rate of 28,800vph and can hold up to 48 hours of power reserve. The rotor resembles a brake disc, which is a nice little automotive-inspired touch. The indications include the hours, minutes, small seconds, a chronograph with hours minutes and seconds, and the date.
The Depancel Serie-A Allure Jürgen Clauss Chronograph Limited Edition comes with two strap/bracelet options. For EUR 1,795 you get it on a quilted black leather strap with a little stitched French flag and finished with a stainless steel pin buckle. Or for EUR 1,895 you can have that one, and get the H-link stainless steel bracelet to match! Both can be switched out easily thanks to the quick-release push pins. The watch is limited to 150 pieces in total and available directly from Depancel.
All in all, this limited edition of the Serie-A Allure is a very cool and solidly built racing-inspired chronograph with lots of interesting details to discover. Yes, it’s rather large given its dimensions but it never felt out of place or overly huge. The colour combination of the rich blue dial offset with white and light green details is also rather nice! And even though it’s not what we call a bargain, coming in at well below EUR 2,000 still means you get a lot of watch for your hard-earned cash. The difference in price between the two options (leather strap only, or the full set) is also very sensible, so much so that I would strongly advise you to pay that 100 euro premium and get the complete set!
For more information, please visit Depancel.com
