Inside the world of master horologist David Candaux.
by: Marlena Anzaldua
In the Vallée de Joux, where snow-tipped peaks meet still forests, precision is not just a pursuit — it’s a way of life. For Swiss watchmaker David Candaux, time is both an art and a philosophy. Each piece he creates feels alive, marrying mechanical mastery with emotional resonance. During our exclusive conversation, Candaux shares the poetic logic behind his craft, and how timeless design continues to evolve in the modern world of luxury — including Chicago’s own growing scene.
Balancing Tradition and Innovation
Imbued: Your work embodies both tradition and innovation. How do you approach the balance between mechanical perfection and aesthetic expression?
David Candaux: For me, they are two sides of the same thing. A mechanism that only works well but has no emotion isn’t interesting. And aesthetics without purpose don’t mean anything. When I design a piece, I think about how it will feel on the wrist, how the light will move on the surfaces, and how the mechanism will breathe inside. Every line I draw is connected to a technical decision, either to make the watch more reliable, or more comfortable, or more coherent. I never start from design alone or engineering alone; they grow together. That’s how you reach balance: when the technical solution becomes part of the aesthetic language.
Where Couture Meets Craftsmanship
Imbued: There’s a couture sensibility in your craftsmanship. How do you see fashion and fine watchmaking intersecting in today’s luxury space?
David Candaux: I think both worlds share the same foundation of precision, detail, and respect for the person who will wear the piece. In couture, as in watchmaking, it’s about creating something that fits naturally, that feels personal. I’m not chasing trends, but I do believe watches should speak to how people live today. Comfort, emotion, and individuality matter more than ever. When a watch is built around the wrist, when its curves, materials, and proportions follow the body, it becomes like a second skin. That’s where I see the real link with fashion: it’s about the relationship between craft and the human being.
Architecture in Motion
Imbued: The textures and details of your pieces feel almost architectural. What visual inspirations influence your design language?
David Candaux: Architecture inspires me a lot because it combines structure and emotion. A great building feels solid but alive. That’s what I try to do in watchmaking. I like clean lines, symmetry mixed with a bit of tension, and proportions that feel natural to the eye. I often think in three dimensions, not just flat drawings. Every level, every bridge, every opening in a watch has a reason. It’s like creating a small space that breathes. I’m fascinated by people like Leonardo da Vinci, who saw no separation between art, science, and architecture. That’s close to how I see watchmaking.
Rooted in the Vallée de Joux
Imbued: Your atelier in the Vallée de Joux carries deep heritage and artistry. How does your environment shape your creative process?
David Candaux: The Vallée de Joux plays a big part in my DNA. It’s where I was born, where I learned, and where I still work today. The calm, the forests, the mountains all influence my mindset. There’s a different rhythm to life here that teaches patience. When I look at the trees or the snow-covered peaks, it reminds me that precision and beauty can be found in very simple things. That’s what I try to reflect in my watches. I am very connected with my roots. The finishes, like the “Côtes du Solliat” or the “Pointe du Risoux,” are tributes to this place. The lines, the light, the textures all come from the valley around me. It keeps me grounded.
“The finishes, the lines, the light — they all come from the valley around me.”
David Candaux
For Chicago Collectors and Tastemakers
Imbued: For collectors and tastemakers in Chicago, what do you want them to understand about the value of a David Candaux timepiece beyond its technical precision?
David Candaux: I’d like them to see that our watches are made by real people, not machines. Precision is important, of course, but what gives a watch its value is the human touch that goes into it. The hundreds of hours of drawing, machining, finishing, adjusting. The gestures repeated thousands of times with the same precision, the meticulous work on components that will never even be visible, and the chain of craftspeople whose skills all converge in a single creation. There’s also the emotion and the inspiration behind it. When you wear a David Candaux watch, you’re wearing my way of seeing watchmaking, influenced by my heritage, my peers and predecessors, and my own personal explorations. It’s a small object, but it carries a whole story inside.
Imbued: Chicago Fashion Week takes place in October 2026. Do you see potential for showcasing your creations in Chicago, either during Fashion Week or through a private exhibition?
David Candaux: Yes, absolutely. Chicago has a strong connection to design, architecture, and craftsmanship. These are values that resonate deeply with my work. We already have a strong partner here in Chicago: Geneva Seal Fine Jewelry and Timepieces. They share the same respect for authenticity and personal relationships that I do. I would be thrilled to present our pieces with them, whether during Fashion Week or through a private event, and to have the opportunity to connect directly with people. Let them see, touch, and feel the watches, and share the work and passion behind each piece. Ultimately, fine watchmaking is about creating bridges that facilitate genuine encounters.
Discover David Candaux at Geneva Seal Fine Jewelry & Timepieces — where timeless craftsmanship meets modern luxury.
