Depancel continues to carve its path in the world of modern neo-retro watchmaking with its latest release: the Allure Driver Calendar. With a compelling design rooted in classic automotive cues and a genuine focus on functionality, this new model fuses form and purpose in a way that’s rarely seen in this price range.
Depancel’s Mission: Accessible Luxury With a Mechanical Soul
Founded in France in 2018, Depancel is short for Delage, Panhard, and Facel Vega—three legendary French carmakers that inspire the brand’s design language. The brand has quickly gained traction with a clear philosophy: to offer mechanical timepieces that combine motorsport heritage and everyday practicality, all assembled in France. The Allure collection, where this new model fits in, embodies that vision with bold lines, practical complications, and an unmistakable automotive character.
The Allure Driver Calendar doesn’t just sit within this framework—it sharpens it. It introduces a full calendar complication in a layout that is both legible and symmetrical, housed in a case whose geometry speaks directly to enthusiasts of vintage dashboard instruments.
Under the Hood: Specifications That Hit the Sweet Spot
The watch is housed in a 39mm stainless steel case, cushion-shaped with subtle angularity that enhances wrist presence without overwhelming it. With a thickness of 12mm, it remains slim enough to slide under a cuff, yet robust in feel. The brushed and polished finishes alternate in a way that adds depth without trying too hard.
The dial is perhaps its most distinctive element. Available in Blue Horizon or Green Forest, it features a vertically brushed texture reminiscent of vintage car bodywork. The three calendar displays—day, date, and month—are cleanly positioned across the upper and lower halves of the dial, offering an intuitive reading experience. The subtle red highlight on the date pointer echoes dashboard speed needles, a signature touch from Depancel.
Powering the watch is the Miyota 9122, a reliable Japanese automatic movement with 40 hours of power reserve. While not Swiss, it’s an honest choice that keeps the price down while delivering dependable performance and an uncommon triple-calendar layout at this tier. The movement is visible through an exhibition caseback, revealing a customized rotor with Côtes de Genève and the brand’s emblem.
For Drivers and Dreamers Alike
What makes the Allure Driver Calendar so appealing is its balanced identity. It’s not a tool watch, nor a dress piece—it’s a lifestyle watch with substance. The 39mm format wears comfortably on most wrists, and the overall profile feels crafted for daily use, whether you’re behind the wheel or behind a desk.
Design-wise, it channels the 1970s with honesty rather than cliché. The cushion case, blocky indices, and colorful highlights evoke dashboard instruments and speedometers without turning into costume. Paired with an integrated bracelet or a sporty rubber strap, the watch fits right into a weekend road trip or a casual workday.
In short, it’s a watch for enthusiasts who want more than just timekeeping—they want narrative, texture, and utility wrapped in one package.
A Thoughtful Watch at a Fair Price
With pre-orders opening now, the Depancel Allure Driver Calendar is priced at $855 USD, making it one of the most compelling full-calendar automatics on the market today. Deliveries are expected to start in Fall 2025, and as with most Depancel launches, availability may be limited depending on demand.
There’s real charm here—something tactile and sincere in both the aesthetics and execution. This isn’t a watch made to follow trends; it’s made to fit a lifestyle, and that’s what sets it apart. If you’ve made it this far, thanks for riding along. Writing about watches like this is a pleasure—and hopefully, reading about them is too ! You should also check out another French micro-brand worthy of your time : Serica !
