Introducing Renaud Tixier: Dominique Renaud and Julien Tixier presents their debut timepiece, the 'Monday' watch. Price CHF 79,000
Dominique Renaud, a pioneer of contemporary horology, and Julien Tixier, an emerging young talent, have joined forces to create Renaud Tixier, a new watch brand based in Nyon, Switzerland.
Their mission is to redefine the fundamentals of micromechanics and introduce innovative concepts to traditional watchmaking principles that have long been taken for granted, often remaining unchallenged.
Their debut model, a three-hand watch christened ‘Monday,’ introduces their first innovation: a kinetic engine micro-rotor that significantly enhances winding efficiency and overall energy generation and transmission.
This marks the beginning of a series of seven inventions, with each timepiece in the collection associated with a specific day of the week, hence the name of the first creation.
Dominique Renaud, alongside his friend Giulio Papi, established Renaud & Papi in 1986, marking the birth of the first independent movement developer and manufacturer in the world of horology. Renaud & Papi quickly gained recognition for its groundbreaking creations, which have left a mark on contemporary watchmaking history. The company's innovations contributed to successful models of renowned Maisons such as IWC, Lange & Söhne, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Audemars Piguet, and Richard Mille.
After Audemars Piguet acquired Renaud & Papi in 2000, Dominique Renaud embarked on an independent journey, relocating to the south of France. However, his passion for horological innovation drew him back to Switzerland twelve years later. It was during this period that he crossed paths with the talented watchmaker Julien Tixier.
In 2023, Renaud and Tixier united their expertise and vision to establish Renaud Tixier, supported by the production and distribution infrastructure of Manufacture Dominique Renaud.
The new Renaud Tixier "Monday" watch revisits a classic of Haute Horlogerie: the micro-rotor, a mechanism that represents a higher level of horological sophistication compared to the larger, mass-produced rotors that are commonly used. The micro-rotor is smaller, more elegant, and does not obscure the mechanics. However, it is a more delicate and less efficient winding system.
One key limitation is the requirement for a large amplitude of movement to ensure optimal functionality, yet the constant opposing forces encountered by the wristwatch impede the rotor's acceleration.
Renaud also realised that only the periphery of the micro-rotor is active while the centre is underutilised. Thus, he decided to install an auxiliary mechanism at the centre of the rotor with the task of optimizing the use of energy released by the rotor, capturing even the slightest joule to power the watch.
A sort of central ‘engine’ for the micro-rotor, this propeller, animated by an intelligent and flexible spring, performs a sort of dance at the heart of the mechanism, hence its nickname "the dancer."
Building upon this foundational concept, Dominique Renaud further refined his vision by adding a 'leg' and a 'foot,' transforming the dancer into a multifunctional component. In fact, the dancer not only serves as an engine but also acts as a shock absorber, capable of mitigating the impact of even violent shocks and converting their energy, much like the strings of a tennis racket.
A completely new caliber, designated as RTVI2023, has been conceived, developed and created around the ‘dancer’ micro-rotor. Comprised of 315 components, it features a Palladium balance wheel which operates at a frequency of 2.5 Hz (18,000 vibrations per hour). The micro-rotor builds up a power reserve of more than 60 hours.
The bridges are light and arched, stretched over the micro-rotor, gear train, and the balance wheel. Finishes are aligned to the highest Haute Horlogerie standards.
The 40.8 mm x 11 mm case is available in rose gold or white gold and offers water resistance up to a pressure of 3 ATM (approximately 30 metres / 100 feet).
Protected by a sapphire crystal, the dial reveals the micro-rotor’s hidden face through a round aperture at 9 o'clock. The small seconds counter is positioned at 4 o'clock.
Dial options include slate gray or silver with sunburst or grained finishes.
The new Renaud Tixier ‘Monday’ watch is priced at CHF 79,000. renaudtixier.com
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