Depancel, a French independent watchmaker, operates from a distinct passion for automotive culture and mechanical beauty. The brand itself is a fusion of ideas, its name a portmanteau of three iconic French car manufacturers: Delage, Panhard, and Facel Vega. This heritage is not just a name; it is the core philosophy. The company seeks to capture the spirit of creative freedom and the pure pleasure of driving that these classic manufacturers embodied. It is a brand founded by an enthusiast, specifically for fellow motorsport enthusiasts, and this focus is evident in every piece they produce.
The story of Depancel begins with its founder, Clément, an engineer by trade. He possessed a long-standing fascination with the intricate beauty of mechanics, which manifested as a dual passion for both cars and watches. This interest was not passive; he actively sought to understand the craft, enrolling in a watchmaking training center in Geneva to master the art. In 2018, he translated this dream and technical expertise into a reality by launching Depancel, aiming to share his values with a community that appreciates fine watchmaking and automotive history.
Courtesy of Depancel
Based near Besançon, the historic heart of French horology, Depancel anchors its identity in exceptional craftsmanship. The brand emphasizes its deep roots in the French watchmaking tradition by collaborating closely with skilled French artisan watchmakers. This commitment ensures that each timepiece is a product of precision and regional expertise. The brand's universe is a vibrant tribute to motorsport, drawing its primary inspiration from the aesthetics of vintage vehicles and the enduring spirit of classic competitions.
A new timepiece, the Série R01 Black Tangerine, stands as a testament to the brand's community-driven approach. This watch is the direct result of a participatory initiative where Depancel invited its followers to help shape a new model. This was not a simple color poll; the community was involved in every critical stage of development. More than 3,000 enthusiasts participated, casting votes on the case design, the dial layout, and even the movement selection, resulting in an automatic chronograph designed by and for its intended audience.
This specific model is a strictly limited offering. Only 100 numbered pieces of the Série R01 Black Tangerine will be produced. The brand has been explicit that once this run is sold, the watch will never be reproduced, securing its place as a unique item for those who manage to acquire one. This exclusivity is a key part of its appeal, turning a product into a specific moment in the brand's history.
The watch's design begins with its distinctive case, which immediately signals its automotive inspiration. It is a 316L stainless steel square, measuring 40mm by 36mm, a shape directly inspired by the grilles of classic sports cars. The case is not a simple block; it is designed with dynamic edges and angles intended to provide perfect ergonomics and a comfortable, natural feel on the wrist, despite its bold geometry.
Courtesy of Depancel
Depancel has applied a sophisticated mix of finishes to the case, creating a subtle play of light and texture. The top surfaces of the case, at the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions, feature a pronounced vertical brushing. This is contrasted by a full high-polish finish on the sides of the case, at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock, as well as on the case flanks. This alternation between brushed and polished surfaces gives the watch a dynamic look that changes with the light.
The case proportions are carefully considered for a strong wrist presence that avoids being unwieldy. The lug-to-lug measurement is 48.5mm, a size that provides stability on the wrist. The total thickness is 13.3mm, though the case body itself is 12.4mm thick before accounting for the crystal. These dimensions strike a balance, making the watch substantial yet wearable for daily use.
Topping the case is a bevelled sapphire crystal. This is a significant detail, as the angled edges of the crystal extend the lines of the case itself, creating a seamless and integrated silhouette. It is a much more complex and costly choice than a simple flat crystal, reinforcing the design-first approach. On the right side, two chronograph pushers control the watch's functions, with the top pusher featuring a tangerine orange ring, and a signed crown is positioned between them.
The dial of the Série R01 Black Tangerine is where the watch truly comes alive. It is a complex, two-level design that adds a significant amount of visual depth. The main dial surface features bold, deep vertical lines, a design cue meant to evoke the look of air vents on a vintage racing car. This textured black surface forms the backdrop for the chronograph.
Courtesy of Depancel
The "Black Tangerine" name is fully realized in the dial's color-coding. The deep black of the dial is punctuated by sharp, functional bursts of orange. This tangerine color is used specifically for the chronograph indicators to ensure maximum readability at a glance. The long, central seconds hand is finished in orange, as are the small hands for the 12-hour counter at 9 o'clock and the 30-minute counter at 3 o'clock.
These chronograph counters are visually distinct, set against the black dial with bright orange chapter rings. The subdial at 9 o'clock tracks chronograph hours, while the one at 3 o'clock tracks minutes. A third subdial at 6 o'clock, with a snailed (concentric circle) pattern and a white hand, serves as the running seconds indicator for the main timekeeping.
Time-telling is handled by the "Depancel Dashboard" hands, which are inspired by the gauges found in classic cars. The hour and minute hands are broad and faceted, with generous applications of luminous material. The applied, track-like hour markers are similarly coated with Super-LumiNova C1, ensuring that the watch remains perfectly readable in all lighting conditions.
Powering the Série R01 Black Tangerine is the Peacock SL-4801 caliber. This is an automatic chronograph movement chosen by the community for its reputation and reliability. It provides a robust power reserve of 55 hours, a healthy amount that exceeds the standard for many chronographs in this category, allowing the watch to be set down for a weekend and picked back up without needing to be rewound.
Courtesy of Depancel
The movement is not hidden away. A transparent sapphire crystal caseback allows the owner to view the mechanical heart of the watch. Through the exhibition back, the moving gears and meticulous finishes of the caliber are on full display. This includes a customized rotor, which winds the watch with the motion of the wearer's wrist, and various plates and bridges that showcase the complexity of the chronograph function.
The caseback itself is secured with four screws and is engraved with the watch's specifications, including its 50-meter (or 5 ATM) water resistance. While not a dive watch, this rating is sufficient to protect the watch from splashes, rain, and a sudden downpour, aligning with its intended use as a daily-wear sports chronograph.
This timepiece is paired with a strap that perfectly complements its automotive theme. It is a black leather rally-style strap, defined by its large perforations that were historically used to provide ventilation for drivers. The strap is accented with orange contrast stitching near the lugs, directly tying into the dial's tangerine highlights.
A subtle but significant detail is found on the strap's keeper loop. A small stitch in blue, white, and red—the colors of the French flag—is a nod to the brand's heritage and its assembly in France. This small touch reinforces the brand's identity and its connection to its home country.
Depancel also ensures the presentation of the watch matches its thoughtful design. Each timepiece is delivered with meticulous attention to detail. The package includes an elegant presentation box, as well as a practical leather travel case designed to protect the watch on the go. Furthermore, the watch is accompanied by a 5-year warranty, demonstrating the brand's confidence in its product.
Courtesy of Depancel
The Depancel Série R01 Black Tangerine is a watch born from a unique collaboration between a brand and its most passionate followers. It translates a shared love for automotive history and mechanical watches into a physical object. From its car-grille case to its dashboard-inspired hands and air-vent dial, every element is purposeful and tied to the central theme.
As a limited edition of only 100 pieces, this model represents a specific and unrepeatable project. The watch is priced at $1,495.00. For the 100 enthusiasts who secure one, the wait will continue for a short while, as the brand has stated that deliveries for this co-created chronograph are scheduled to begin at the end of February 2026.
Case: 316L stainless steel, 40 x 36mm diameter, 13.3mm thickness (12.4mm without glass). 48.5mm lug to lug, 22mm lug width. Sapphire crystal. Water resistance 50m / 5ATM. Vertical brushing on top, polished sides.
Movement: Peacock SL-4801 automatic. Functions H/Min/S, Chronograph. 55-hour power reserve. Visible through transparent case back.
Dial: Black two-level dial with vertical lines. Orange (Tangerine) chronograph hands and subdial rings. “Depancel Dashboard” hands and track-like indexes with Super-LumiNova® C1.
Strap: Black perforated leather rally-style strap with orange contrast stitching.
Price: $1,495.00
Notes: Limited and numbered to 100 pieces, will never be reproduced. Co-created with the Depancel community. Designed and assembled in France. Deliveries begin at the end of February 2026.