Depancel Allure AUTOSPORT

French watchmaker Depancel has carved a distinct niche for itself by channeling the spirit and aesthetics of motorsport into its timepieces. The brand's very name, an amalgamation of the iconic French automotive marques Delage, Panhard, and Facel Vega, serves as a clear statement of intent. It is a brand founded by enthusiasts, for enthusiasts, with a mission to create watches that resonate with the rumble of an engine and the sleek lines of a classic race car. Depancel's collections, designed and assembled in France, aim to provide a tangible connection to automotive heritage, blending this passion with reliable watchmaking principles. Their work focuses on delivering this specialized experience at a price point that remains accessible to a broad audience of car and watch lovers alike.



The latest release from the brand, the Allure AUTOSPORT collection, pushes this philosophy further, drawing specific inspiration from one of motorsport's most charismatic eras. This new line of watches is not just about cars in general; it is a direct homage to the golden age of racing in the 1960s and 70s. This was a period defined by raw mechanical power, minimal electronic aids, and drivers who were larger-than-life figures. These individuals, often referred to as "gentlemen drivers," possessed a unique combination of immense courage on the track and an effortless sense of style off of it. They represented a lifestyle of high stakes and high fashion, a world where adrenaline and sophistication were intertwined.



The Allure AUTOSPORT collection seeks to capture the essence of that flamboyant era. It is designed for individuals who appreciate the visceral thrill of speed and the meticulous engineering that makes it possible. The collection launches with three distinct variations, each paying tribute to a legendary national racing color. These options include a vibrant Blue, a classic British Racing Green, and a technical Silver version. Each watch serves as a modern interpretation of the instruments that would have been found in the cockpits and on the wrists of the racing heroes of the past, offering a blend of vintage-inspired design and contemporary mechanical performance.



At the heart of the Allure AUTOSPORT's design is its meticulously crafted dial, which acts as the primary storyteller. The layout is heavily influenced by the analog gauges and chronographs of vintage race cars. Rather than a flat, single-level surface, the dial presents a landscape of textures and depths. A prominent railway minute track circles the perimeter, ensuring precise time reading. The central portion of the dial is a smooth, rich field of color, which is then flanked by two vertically brushed sections. These brushed areas house the guilloché-patterned sub-dials for the day and month complications, adding a layer of intricate detail that plays with the light. This multi-textured approach gives the watch a dynamic feel, reminiscent of a well-appointed dashboard.



The hands and indices are designed for maximum legibility, a critical feature in any tool watch, especially one inspired by the fast-paced racing environment. The hour and minute hands are bold and faceted, with generous applications of luminous material. The indices are applied and beveled, standing tall against the dial to create a sense of dimension. A particularly striking and unconventional design choice is the exposure of several of the movement's synthetic jewels directly on the dial face. These small, purple-hued circles add a flash of unexpected color and serve as a constant reminder of the mechanical engine ticking away just beneath the surface, a nod to the exposed mechanicals of a race car.



The case of the Allure AUTOSPORT is a study in classic proportions and refined finishing. Constructed from 316L stainless steel, it measures a versatile 39mm in diameter. This size strikes an ideal balance, offering substantial presence on the wrist without feeling overly large, making it suitable for a wide range of wearers. The lug-to-lug distance is a compact 46mm, ensuring the watch sits comfortably and conforms well to the wrist's curvature. The overall thickness is 12.6mm, a figure that includes the prominent double-domed sapphire crystal. Without the crystal, the case itself is a slimmer 11.2mm, contributing to its wearable profile.



A great deal of attention has been paid to the finishing of the case, which employs a thoughtful mix of brushed and polished surfaces to create visual interest. The bezel is mirror-polished, providing a bright frame for the dial. This contrasts beautifully with the tops of the lugs, which feature a fine circular brushing that radiates outwards. The sides of the case are horizontally brushed, a practical finish that helps to conceal minor scratches from daily wear, while the upper edges of the case flanks are finished with a polished chamfer that catches the light and outlines the case's silhouette. This interplay of finishes elevates the watch, giving it a more premium and detailed appearance.



A unique feature that underscores the automotive theme is a small, numbered steel plate screwed onto the side of the case. This detail is a direct nod to the chassis numbers or license plates found on vehicles, making each Allure AUTOSPORT timepiece a uniquely identified piece. It is a subtle but effective touch that reinforces the connection between the watch and the world of high-performance machinery, giving each owner a sense of holding a specific, numbered part of a limited series.



Protecting the intricate dial is a double-domed sapphire crystal. This is a significant feature that contributes greatly to the watch's vintage character. Unlike a flat crystal, a double-domed variant curves on both its top and bottom surfaces. This design minimizes the optical distortion often associated with single-domed crystals while providing a wonderful, warm, retro aesthetic. As the wrist is turned, the domed crystal plays with light in a captivating way, adding depth to the dial and creating beautiful refractions at its edges. Beyond its visual appeal, sapphire is one of the hardest materials on earth, offering exceptional scratch resistance and ensuring the watch's face remains clear and unblemished through years of use.



The Allure AUTOSPORT collection is offered in three distinct colorways, each with its own historical racing connection. The "British Racing Green" model features a deep, olive-toned green dial, the legendary color of English racing cars driven to victory by brands like Bentley, Lotus, and Aston Martin. This version is paired with a rugged green canvas strap, enhancing its vintage, utilitarian feel. The luminous material on this model is Super-LumiNova C1, which appears white in daylight and glows green in the dark.



The Blue version pays homage to the historic racing teams of France. Its dial is a deep, metallic navy blue that captures the light beautifully. This color is famously associated with French automotive legends and the spirit of the tricolor. This model comes fitted with a dark blue leather strap, giving it a slightly more dressed-up appearance.



The third variant is the Silver version, which is presented as a tribute to German engineering excellence, specifically the famed "Silver Arrows" of the pre-war racing era. This model features a stark, high-contrast black dial with the same metallic and guilloché finishes as its siblings. The black dial serves as a technical-looking canvas, emphasizing the watch's function as a precision instrument. Both the Blue and Silver models utilize "Old Radium" style Super-LumiNova, which has a cream or beige tint in daylight, mimicking the look of aged tritium lume from vintage watches and enhancing their retro appeal.



Powering the Allure AUTOSPORT is the caliber 9122, an automatic movement from the respected Japanese manufacturer Miyota. This movement is a well-regarded workhorse, known for its robustness, reliability, and impressive feature set. It operates at a modern frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz), which allows for a smooth sweep of the seconds hand and contributes to its timekeeping accuracy. The movement provides a power reserve of approximately 40 hours when fully wound.



The Miyota 9122 offers a "triple calendar" complication, displaying the day of the week and the current month in the two sub-dials at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions, respectively. The date is shown through a more traditional window at the 6 o'clock position. This level of functionality is a notable value proposition, offering more information at a glance than a standard three-hand watch.



Depancel has also taken care to customize the movement's appearance in a way that aligns with the watch's theme. The oscillating weight, or rotor, which winds the mainspring through the motion of the wearer's wrist, has been specially decorated. It features a pattern reminiscent of a classic car's radiator grille and is adorned with Depancel's shield emblem, further solidifying the link between the timepiece and its automotive inspiration. This decorated rotor is visible through a display caseback, allowing the owner to appreciate the mechanical heart of the watch.



The watch is secured to the wrist with straps that are both stylish and functional. Depending on the model, the Allure AUTOSPORT comes with either a hand-crafted, perforated leather racing strap or a durable canvas strap. The perforated design of the leather strap is a classic "rally" style, originally intended to provide ventilation for drivers' wrists during intense races. All straps are equipped with a quick-release system, featuring small tabs on the spring bars that allow for easy, tool-free strap changes. This user-friendly feature encourages owners to experiment with different strap options, allowing the watch's character to be changed in seconds.



The water resistance of the Allure AUTOSPORT is rated at 50 meters, or 5 ATM. This level of resistance is sufficient to protect the watch from everyday encounters with water, such as rain, splashes, or accidental submersion. While it is not designed for swimming or diving, it provides peace of mind for daily wear, ensuring the robust movement is well-protected within its steel housing.



The commitment to a complete and thoughtful owner experience extends to the packaging. Each Allure AUTOSPORT watch is delivered in an elegant presentation box. Included within this package is a practical leather travel case, designed to protect the watch during transit. This is a valuable addition that adds to the overall package. Furthermore, Depancel provides a 5-year warranty with the watch, a testament to the brand's confidence in the quality and durability of its product. This comprehensive approach to presentation and after-sales support demonstrates a meticulous attention to detail that goes beyond the watch itself.



The Depancel Allure AUTOSPORT is available for purchase directly from the brand's website. Priced at $750.00, the collection presents a compelling package for those seeking a mechanically interesting and thematically rich timepiece. It successfully combines a vintage motorsport aesthetic with the reliability and functionality of a modern automatic movement. With its thoughtful case design, intricate multi-layered dial, and strong narrative connection to the golden era of racing, the Allure AUTOSPORT is a well-executed tribute for any enthusiast who feels the pull of the open road and the racetrack.



Case: 316L stainless steel; 39mm diameter; 46mm lug to lug; 12.6mm thickness (11.2mm without crystal); 20mm lug width; Double-domed sapphire crystal; 50m / 5ATM water resistance. Features a unique numbered steel plate screwed onto the case side.

Movement: Miyota 9122 automatic; 40-hour power reserve; 28,000 vibrations per hour. Functions include hours, minutes, seconds, and a triple calendar with day, date, and month displays. Custom decorated rotor with a radiator grille motif.

Dial: Available in Blue, Silver (black dial), or British Racing Green. Features brushed sections, guilloché sub-counters, and a railway minute track. Beveled hour markers and hands are coated with Super-LumiNova® (Old Radium or C1 depending on model).

Strap: Hand-crafted perforated leather racing strap or canvas strap with a 20mm width. Equipped with a quick-release system for tool-free changes.

Price: $750.00

Notes: The watch is inspired by the "Gentlemen Drivers" of the 1960s and 70s motorsport era. Each case features a unique screwed-on numbered plate, reminiscent of a vehicle's license plate or chassis number.