epancel’s strong ties to the automotive world are evident through its presence at iconic events like Rétromobile Paris and Epoqu’Auto Lyon, its role as the Official Sponsor of GPX Racing, and most recently, its partnership with the Masters Historic Championship at Silverstone in the UK.

Beyond its creative roots in motorsport, this underscores Depancel’s commitment to excellence, elegance, and the ethos of Gentlemen Drivers.

Founded just six years ago by Clément Meynier, this independent watch brand is taking bold strides in 2024. Not only is Depancel expanding partnerships, but it’s also rethinking its selective distribution setup, and positioning itself for even greater visibility and growth.

The new Allure Chronograph MecaQ 36 mm blends technical prowess, a refined 36 mm case, and a sleek contemporary design. With a bold new look, featuring an integrated bracelet with a striking geometry and a modern, subtly colourful dial, this watch will be setting the tone for future creations across Depancel’s Allure and R collections.

And at a price point as competitive as ever when it comes to value. With its high-quality finishings and sophisticated mechaquartz movement, the Allure Chronograph MecaQ 36 mm is priced very competitively at €595, including VAT.

Depancel has boldly reimagined its Allure collection, infusing this timepiece with a touch of audacious energy. The Allure Chronograph MecaQ 36 mm, with its fresh aesthetic – a blend of modernity and subtly coloured elegance – is designed to be the perfect watch for any occasion. Its integrated bracelet – a standout with its unique geometry – seamlessly pairs with a sleek case and vintage cues that evoke the spirit of 1970s motorsport.

Powered by a hybrid automatic and quartz movement, this watch, featuring finely coloured details, is priced at an accessible 595 euros, including VAT. Blending horological passion and the spirit of Gentlemen Drivers, this creation sets the artistic direction for Depancel’s future R and Allure collections.

Depancel’s original creations are divided into two distinct collections, which form the brand’s pillars: the Série R line, known for its stately rectangular shape, and the Allure family, a tool watch with sporty roots.

With the Allure chronographs, Depancel not only celebrates a rich heritage and pays tribute to legendary drivers and iconic races, but also offers a contemporary option for Gentlemen Drivers seeking a functional, reliable watch - perfect for their outings on any road or track. This approach adheres to strict codes, particularly in terms of legibility and clarity, with well-placed counters and excellent light diffusion through a flat sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating. Reminiscent of classic sports chronographs from the 1950s and 60s, the advantages are both aesthetic and technical.

This philosophy of combining tradition with innovation allows Depancel to evolve its Allure models much like race cars, which improve in both design and technology over time, all while preserving the distinct identity of each marque.

Now, Depancel introduces the Allure Chronograph MecaQ 36 mm. This new model complements the classic Allure lineup with a redesigned case to house the brand’s first integrated metal bracelet, itself an aesthetic statement. The watch features bold decorative elements, with vivid red and orange accents on the three subdials and the tachymeter scale, both iconic colours of the 1970s. These vibrant colours perfectly complement the bold character of this tri-compax chronograph—a timepiece that would have felt right at home on the wrist of a 1970s racing driver.

The 1970s marked a bold era of stylistic creativity, not only in motorsport but also in watchmaking, as quartz technology brought new levels of precision. Depancel couldn’t ignore this technological revolution in its tribute to the era, which is why Clément Meynier chose a mechaquartz movement.

Matching the best of traditional watchmaking with scientific innovation, the mechaquartz system blends the craftsmanship of mechanical gear trains with the perfect regulation provided by the consistent oscillation of a quartz crystal. This ingenious solution was embraced by prestigious manufacturers in the 1970s and early 80s, and Depancel brings this fusion of two worlds back into the spotlight with its neo-vintage Allure Chronograph MecaQ 36 mm.

It’s no coincidence that Depancel, a brand created by a true enthusiast for fellow enthusiasts, has built a strong community of lovers of watches and automotive sports. Attuned to the expectations of this niche, Depancel has decided to take things up a notch and accelerate its development. The young watch brand is making several strategic moves this year, not only expanding its partnerships but also rethinking its selective distribution approach.

One example of Depancel’s growing momentum is the limited edition created for the Silverstone Classic festival. Drawing inspiration from the values and culture of automotive design, Depancel’s first collections were grounded in the classic styles of iconic cars from the 1930s to the 1950s. Just as race cars continued to evolve in both form and performance, Depancel continues to push the envelope, exploring new partnerships and opportunities. The brand’s presence at major events like Rétromobile Paris, one of Europe’s largest dedicated expos, and Epoqu’Auto Lyon, showcases this evolution. Depancel is also the official sponsor of GPX Racing, fielding 10 drivers across 5 cars in the Masters Historic Racing Championship.

Founder Clément Meynier envisions his watches as a reflection of his dedication and a way to share his passions with as many people as possible.

In 2018, Meynier made a strategic choice to keep production limited and exclusive, increasing desirability by ‘dropping’ limited-edition models, a modern distribution approach inspired by the fashion world, primarily through online pre-orders. This agile, targeted approach is perfectly suited to a young dynamic brand like Depancel.

Building on the collections’ success and growing brand recognition – further cemented by its role as an official horological partner for the Masters Historic Racing at the Silverstone Festival – Meynier has deliberately rethought his approach to distribution.

Since personal connections are vital in watchmaking, just as in motorsport, Meynier now aims to expand Depancel’s distribution through a broader network of qualified retailers. The brand had never been 100% digital, as 20% of sales came from select watch retailers. Now, the goal is to strike a better balance, and foster more interaction and engagement through physical retail spaces. As Meynier says, “Human connection, shared passion, and storytelling – they form the foundations upon which you can build an increasingly international brand.”

With innovative new models, an expanded presence and partnerships, as well as a rethought and reinforced distribution strategy, 2024 is shaping up to be a milestone year for Depancel – a year in which the brand is truly stepping up its game.

For vintage car lovers, Depancel has become the go-to watch brand for those seeking a daily ‘wearer’ that reflects their passion for driving. With its distinct style, Depancel offers watches that are both reliable and functional—perfect for participating in favorite events, whether it’s road rallies, circuit races, or even automotive elegance competitions.

Beyond performance, Depancel places a strong emphasis on understanding and celebrating automotive history. The brand’s name, a combination of three iconic French carmakers—Delage, Panhard, and Facel Vega—carries the legacy of a technical and aesthetic heritage that has symbolized freedom, societal transformation, and joy throughout the 20th century, while also bringing countless innovations to the world of transportation.

These core values are particularly significant to Clément Meynier. Immersed in automotive culture since childhood, the founder of Depancel sought to take his creative vision further by developing his own watch brand. “As an engineer, I’ve always been fascinated by mechanical beauty, and passionate about cars and watches,” shares Clément Meynier. “I originally studied engineering and worked at the CERN research lab in Geneva. I’m also from the Jura region, which explains my connection with fine watchmaking. I was curious and wanted to understand how mechanical watches are made, so, alongside my day job, I trained in watch repair.”

Equipped with this invaluable experience, Meynier set out to develop his own watch concept – and launched Depancel in 2018 with a clear mission: “I wanted to create an alternative brand that would make fine mechanical watchmaking more accessible – not just in terms of the price point, but also in terms of sharing the wonder of watchmaking. The idea was to make watches that offered the best possible price-performance ratio.” This ambition remains unwavering in its commitment to detail and quality, ensuring that Depancel watches stand for precision and reliability.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Movement

• Tri-compax chronograph
• Caliber: Seiko (SII) VK63 (mechaquartz)
• Frequency: High precision, quartz crystal
• Power reserve: Battery-powered
• Height: 5.10 mm
• Finish: Standard
• Functions: Hours, minutes, running seconds, Chronograph seconds, 60-minute chronograph, 24-hour display

Case

• Material: 316L stainless steel, brushed and polished
• Dimensions: 36 mm diameter, 10.95 mm height
• Crystal: Sapphire
• Water resistance: 5 ATM (50 meters)
• Bracelet: Stainless steel, integrated into the case

Total weight: 130gr (including bracelet)

Dial

• Colour: Matte black with orange and racing red accents
• Hands and hour markers, applied, with Luminova inserts