Dubey & Schaldenbrand Grand Shar DB Ti

This just in from Dubey & Schaldenbrand -

Courtesy of Dubey & Schaldenbrand

Dubey & Schaldenbrand, Swiss manufacturer since 1946, is evolving amidst an environment of cutting-edge technological advances. The independent manufacture maintains its historically elegant style, yet is stepping outside the borders of simple horological knowledge. D&S has successfully pushed into the next generation of production savoir-faire with the Grand Shar DB Titanium Carbon Fiber — the fruit of its labor at Dubey & Schaldenbrand’s state of the art manufacturing facility, based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland.

The D&S Lab utilized a grade 5-titanium alloy processed and refined in the most intricate ways and controlled conditions, to reach the final stages of production for D&S’s Grand Shar model— an electro-plasma bath and patented method of fabrication, utilized in medical and aeronautic industries. The result is a unique color resembling no existing alloy in the watch industry to date.

In designing the dial, D&S experimented from scratch rather than utilize existing material. After several efforts with numerous alloys and metals, and in order to find the ideal match for an unconventional case, an in-house manufactured carbon fiber dial was achieved. The Grand Shar DB Ti dial was created and assembled in several layers highlighting the signature Grand Shar interlocking sub-dials, the exceptionally dazzling Côte de Genève treatment in black on black at the heart of the timepiece, and allowing for the depth of the dial to enable clear visibility of the counters.

The assembly of the sleek titanium grade 5 case is held firmly together by blued screws on the lugs and the case back, while providing sharp contrast of an edgy electric blue color on a canvas of lustrous gun-metal titanium reflecting hues of olive green. The Grand Shar DB Ti is assembled with a Valjoux 7750 in-house modified, 3 counter chronograph with its date angled between III and IV. The rotor is carved out and plated with a black rhodium treatment, visible through an open case back, that also showcases blued screws and refined treatment on the movement’s bridge. Due to the properties of the grade 5 titanium and the carbon fiber dial, this exceptional timepiece weighs in at an incredible 40% less than its stainless steel counterpart.

The new vision of Dubey & Schaldenbrand underscores the incorporation of technological advances in production, but above all maintains the heritage, craftsmanship and historical knowledge of watchmaking, instilled in the brand in 1946 by its founders and namesakes.

The Grand Shar DB Ti is the first sporty timepiece to take center stage for the new vision of Dubey & Schaldenbrand. It is limited to 26 pieces in special grade 5 titanium. 

TECHNICAL DATA
Movement
Self-winding chronograph with three counters, and date, Valjoux 7750 base, assembled modified and finished by Dubey & Schaldenbrand

Finishing
Rhodium-treated circular "Côtes de Genève"; blue screws; DS logo cut out from the automatic rotor; "black gold" finish

Oscillations
28’800 per hour

Jewels
25 / incabloc
Power reserve
48 hours

Functions
Central hours and minutes; seconds counter at 9 o'clock, calendar window at 3:30; split-time function by large central seconds hand; chronograph minute counter at 12 o'clock and hour counter at 6 o'clock

Dial
Two superimposed dials; central dial adorned with "Côtes de Genève"; carbon fiber outer dial; 12 large Roman numerals; raised counter surround

Hands
Skeleton DS hands, coated with SuperLuminova

Case
Titanium grade 5 treated by oxidation and electro plasma; crown with DS engraving
Dimensions // water resistance
44 mm // to 50 meters

Crystal
Convex spherical inside and outside upper sapphire crystal; anti-reflective on both sides; sapphire case-back

Strap and buckle
Black alligator, simple buckle with DS personalization or titanium bracelet. 

Dubey & Schaldenbrand at BaselWorld

Dubey & Schaldenbrand keep moving forward without missing a beat, and this year's BaselWorld only served to reinforce their forward momentum.

Dubey & Schaldenbrand's Grand Opening Celebrations

This just in from Dubey & Schaldenbrand -

Courtesy of Dubey & Schaldenbrand

Dubey & Schaldenbrand recently celebrated the opening of two new stores in North America; Lenox Jewelers in Fairfield, Connecticut, on November 10th, and Medawar Fine Jewelers in Palos Verdes, Southern California, on November 17th.

Both stores highlighted the brand with Grand Opening events so that their loyal clientele could preview the collections and meet the Dubey & Schaldenbrand team.

Courtesy of Dubey & Schaldenbrand

Jonatan Gil, CEO of Dubey & Schaldenbrand, flew in from Switzerland for both events, and brought with him the main attraction, the new Grand Shar DBT Ti in Titanium, the first time that the limited edition timepiece has set foot on North American shores. With it’s case formed from titanium grade 5 and treated by a patented oxidation process that increases the hardness of the material and its mechanical resistance, the timepiece also has a unique case color due to the in-house electro-plasma treatment.

Maurice Daaboul, President, Dubey & Schaldenbrand Americas, said "We are very excited to have launched the brand in both of these stores, and we were delighted with the turnout at both events, and the hosts were terrific. It was such a pleasure to meet their clientele and introduce them to the latest pieces from the collections”. 

Courtesy of Dubey & Schaldenbrand



A Night Cap - Dubey & Schaldenbrand

Courtesy of Dubey & Schaldenbrand

Sweet dreams!

What's Wrong with Esquire's Black Book - part 4

Again, apologies for delays!  On to part 4 -

Courtesy of Dubey & Schaldenbrand

Dubey & Schaldenbrand are perhaps one of the most iconic, albeit "under the radar" brands out there.  If you are looking for a brand with history, innovation, consistency and LEGITIMACY - look no further.  For me, it is the touneau style cases that have always carried the day.  But what I like the most about Dubey & Schaldenbrand is that they have stayed true to their past, while continuing to move forward.

And if you think that people don't love these watches, allow me to put forth this example -

I met this gentleman at another luxury watch brand's event.  We talked a fair bit about watches in general.  He shared some insights on his collection - quite impressive and substantial.  What I really liked about talking to this fellow was his unabashed, genuine interest.  For him, he said he didn't do tons of research.  He didn't know the company histories inside and out, who used what movement, etc. Might be interesting for some, but not for him.

He said the one thing that I wish every watch collector, PR person, and watch company executive would take to heart -
"I buy what I like".

I agree sir!

So Esquire - next time you're profiling watches - dig a little deeper and check out Dubey & Schaldenbrand.


www.dubeywatch.com

Catching up with the gang from Dubey and Shandelbrand

Another day at work off to a great start!

Jonatan Gil made the long journey from Switzerland to introduce a new model - I will be sending fuller details soon.  What I can tell you - it is titanium, it has a tourbillon, it is extremely cool... and there will only be a handful of them made.

And from the reverse -

A big thank you to Jonatan and the North American team - the  Daaboul family

www.dubeywatch.com 

A Few Minutes with Jonatan Gil

Don't call it a comeback - Dubey & Schaldenbrand has been around for quite some time.  Here in the US we haven't seen nearly as much of them as we'd like - not unlike an old school friend who you only see once or twice a year.  But the new head of Dubey & Schaldenbrand is working hard to change all of that!  

And now, a few minutes with the CEO of Dubey & Schaldenbrand, Jonatan Gil

Courtesy of Dubey & Schaldenbrand

James Henderson - What was your first watch?  Was it a gift?  Is there a story behind it?

Jonatan Gil - I have been collecting watches for a long time. Most of them came from my father's customers. The first luxury watch I got was a Breitling, I made a bet with my sponsor when I was competing in a jumping show. I was about 13 years old.

JH - When you were a boy - what did you want to be when you "grew up"?

JG - I was always fascinated to see my father as an entrepreneur. My goal was to have or create a company. Since the time I understood what life was about, I couldn't imagine myself doing anything else than being in the watch industry. I also knew that working in a "big group" wouldn't interest me.

JH - Where did you go to school - what did you study exactly?

JG - I studied at schools in La Chaux-de-Fonds (9 years), then I went to the "Technical School" in Le Locle (4 years) which is well known for technical academic training. I learned English in the UK in Cheltenham (where I spent nearly 2 years).

JH - My understanding is that your family has been involved in the watch industry as a supplier/partner for a number of years?  How has this helped you in your experience with Dubey & Schaldenbrand?

JG - Because I was very interested in my father's business, I used to spend a lot of time with him at the factory. Since I was 14 I met all the big players in the watch industry and these people have the same customers/distributor as Dubey & Schaldenbrand. My father also works with all the best suppliers and when I took over Dubey & Schaldenbrand I noticed that the same suppliers were actually working for the brand too. Networking is one of the best and most important platforms nowadays.

JH - What first brought you to Dubey & Schaldenbrand?  What was your first position there?

JG - The second watch I got (being more educated about watches) when I was around 15, was a Dubey & Schaldenbrand.  I found it exclusive and like nothing else I had seen. As I wanted to work in a "small" brand, when I crossed paths with Mrs. Robert's in Qatar, without hesitation I wanted to work for her, and I started as her assistant.

JH - What is it that makes Dubey & Schaldenbrand special?

JG - What is great about Dubey & Schaldenbrand is that it's a conservative brand, since 1946 (watches can last many years), but it lives on in its own time. We produce timepieces in small quantities and are producing almost all the components in house. We are on top of the technology, but still using all the codes of craftsmanship. Very atypical and unique.

JH - Had you always wanted to have/run your own watch company? 

JG - Honestly I didn't think that I could get the opportunity to have a watch brand, for me it's an achievement even if the work is "starting" now, realigning the distribution worldwide, and bringing the new face of Dubey & Schaldenbrand to the forefront.

JH - You worked fairly closely with CINETTE ROBERT?  What was she like?

JG - That’s right. Mrs. Robert has an extensive background in the watch industry and she knows stories about watch making that no one else knows, and was even part of some of them. The experiences she had gave me a thorough education not only about watches, but also about history. I learned very quickly and very well with her, maybe due in part to the fact that at the same age as I am, she took on a lot of responsibility, and she knows that by working hard we can achieve anything. She is a forward thinker, always wondering how to improve the brand, the product, the quality, etc., and this is also my philosophy.

JH - What are some of the biggest challenges you are facing right now?

JG - The whole watch industry, consumers and connoisseurs have seen the return of Dubey & Schaldenbrand to the market, and they are confident with the products they have seen so far. Now the big challenge is to connect the distribution with the right partners (already the case in many countries), and have customers feel confident about investing in a Dubey & Schaldenbrand timepiece.

JH - What is the strongest market for Dubey & Schaldenbrand right now?

JG - Right now it is Middle East, they are very familiar with the brand and we are making several specific timepieces for their customers.

JH - I know that it might be hard to choose, but what is your favorite creation so far?

JG - Of course all the creations have a story behind them and are coming from an idea of mine, but my favorite, without any hesitation, is the GRAND DOME DT FULL BLACK DIAMOND. Actually my first Dubey was the predecessor of this watch, the Gran' Chrono Astro full diamonds.

JH - What do you see as the next big market for Dubey & Schaldenbrand?

JG - The US! Historically US customers considered the brand in their top 5, and they are waiting for its return and a chance to purchase one of the new timepieces.

JH - What do you like to do in your down time?

JG - If we omit reading about watches and getting updates about what is going on in that small world, I'm also a passionate about cars, so I'm driving a lot and spending time around Switzerland. Spending time with my family because I don't see them very often as I'm travelling, and I'm a big fan of cinema, theater and watching sports.

JH - If you weren't doing this, what would you be doing?

JG - I would definitely be in the watch industry and trying to find the solution to take over Dubey & Schaldenbrand!

JH - What advice do you have for future watch maker/entrepreneurs? 

JG - I think for a watch maker the most important thing is to believe in what they are doing, but taking into consideration that we live at a certain period. The world is getting crazy so don't forget real values and where you come from. A company is nothing without all these things collaborating.

Love Overdue - Dubey & Schaldenbrand's Dome GMT

Courtesy of Dubey & Schaldenbrand

I have to start this off by reminding myself, I am writing about watches.  I am not writing about the Sistine Chapel.  A building designed by Mies, Le Corbusier or any other icon.

Love Overdue.  This haunts me.  It expresses a longing - a sense that there is something out there that has eluded you - but is out there still.  And that is this - the Dome GMT from Dubey & Schaldenbrand.  This is love overdue.

Courtesy of Dubey & Schaldenbrand

The Dubey & Schaldenbrand watches of the recent past are beautiful.  There can be no denying this, but the Dome GMT is clearly something more.  Not unlike Mies, or Le Corbusier, or as I am American, even Lloyd Wright.  Or more specifically as I am from Ohio - Philip Johnson - this new offering from Dubey & Schaldenbrand is breaking new ground.  It is establishing a new vocabulary, a new language for Dubey & Schaldenbrand.  Remembering the past, but taking the next step.  Respectful, but not a slave to what has come before.  Evolution, not revolution.

It would be simple to bang out more of the same icons that came before.  And that is why we call them icons.  This is something new.  This is the next step.  This is love overdue.

TECHNICAL DATA 

movement 

self-winding mechanical movement basis ETA 2892A2 modified by Dubey & Schaldenbrand 

finishing 

rhodium plated 

oscillations 

28’800 per hour 

jewels 

23 / incabloc 

power reserve 

42 hours 

functions 

hours, minutes, sweep seconds, date, second time zone, 24 hour display 

dial 

silver, black or blue 

hands 

skeleton DS hands, coated with SuperLuminova 

case 

high-grade 316L steel or gold 18K 5N, crown with DS engraving 

dimensions // water resistance 

35 x 47 mm // to 50 meters 

crystal 

convex spherical inside and outside upper sapphire crystal; anti-reflective on both sides 

strap and buckle 

black alligator with tang buckle 

www.dubeywatch.com