Dominique Renaud once pushed a balance to 12 Hz; for his new brand’s first watch he goes to the opposite extreme, 1 Hz, the pace of a resting heart.
The new Dominique Renaud brand today introduces its first watch, the Pulse60, named for 60 beats per minute. At its heart is the new calibre BUA2024, for Balancier Ultra Amplitude.
A 20mm high-inertia balance, in the spirit of marine chronometers, resists shocks and changes in torque. Renaud redesigned the balance assembly so the amplitude can pass 360° without knocking. The patented regulating system sits outside the balance, leaving it in full view on the dial side.
Hours and minutes sit at 12 o’clock, a natural dead half-second at 9 and a torque indicator at 3. The case has no bezel and no lugs, and measures 40mm by 44mm.
“One way of solving watchmaking challenges is to tackle a problem through its exact opposite,” says Renaud.
Renaud made his name at Renaud Papi, since sold to Audemars Piguet; the Pulse60 is where he starts again, one slow beat at a time.
The Basics
Brand: Dominique Renaud
Model: Pulse60
Diameter: 40mm × 44mm
Thickness: 12mm (with sapphire crystal)
Case material: Grade 5 titanium, or pink gold and grade 5 titanium
Dial: Titanium: grey or black opaline with diamond-cut openings; pink gold and titanium: guilloché
Water resistance: 3 ATM / 30m
Strap: Integrated, interchangeable rubber with push-button system; pin buckle and triple-folding clasp
The Movement
Calibre: BUA2024 (Balancier Ultra Amplitude), 33mm
Functions: Hours and minutes at 12 o’clock; natural dead half-second at 9 o’clock; torque indicator at 3 o’clock
Power reserve: 4 days
Frequency: 1Hz (7,200 vibrations per hour)
Images courtesy of Dominique Renaud.