Today heralds the dawn of a new era in independent Swiss watchmaking with the launch of Renaud Tixier, a brand forged by the collaborative genius of Dominique Renaud and Julien Tixier. With a shared vision to redefine the fundamentals of horology, Renaud Tixier embarks on its maiden voyage, introducing ‘Monday,’ a timepiece that epitomizes their innovative approach.

Dominique Renaud

Before we get into the details of this watch, though, let’s take a closer look at the two men who formed this brand. Dominique Renaud stands as a colossus in the realm of horology, earning the epithet “The ferryman of time” for his unparalleled contributions. Born in the cradle of watchmaking, Besançon, on August 9, 1959, Renaud inherited a passion that was nurtured by his parents, both accomplished watchmakers. His journey through the intricate world of timepieces began with his education at the École Nationale d’Horlogerie in Besançon, where he emerged as a valedictorian in 1976.

His formative years saw him honing his craft in France, culminating in his collaboration with Giulio Papi to establish the famed Renaud & Papi in 1986, a venture that revolutionized haute horlogerie. Together, they pushed boundaries, crafting intricate timepieces for renowned brands, including Audemars Piguet and IWC. Renaud’s pursuit of innovation led him to co-found RPC SA with Christophe Claret, further solidifying his legacy as a trailblazer.

Following his retirement from APRP in 2000, Renaud embarked on a new chapter, marked by independent creation. His groundbreaking work on the blade resonator and the DR01 TWELVE FIRST watch under his eponymous brand garnered widespread acclaim, setting the stage for his partnership with Julien Tixier. Their collaboration, marked by synergy and mutual respect, birthed extraordinary creations like ‘Tempus Fugit’ and ‘clar,’ propelling them to establish Renaud Tixier in 2023.

Julien Tixier

Born in 1993, Julien Tixier embodies the essence of a modern-day renaissance watchmaker, seamlessly blending traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology. With an arsenal of ancient machine tools and a mastery of CAD programs, Tixier’s prowess lies in his ability to conceive, design, and craft timepieces from raw materials, epitomizing versatility and ingenuity. Formal education at the Lycée Professionnel de Bordeaux and subsequent training programs equipped him with the skills to undertake ambitious projects, including a secular perpetual calendar clock, exemplifying his meticulous craftsmanship. Tixier’s career trajectory took a pivotal turn in 2016 when he encountered Dominique Renaud, igniting a partnership that spawned the aforementioned remarkable creations like “Tempus Fugit” and an ultra-simplified, modular secular perpetual calendar. This collaboration culminated last year in the establishment of Renaud Tixier.

The new brand, Renaud Tixier, is supported by a team of dedicated professionals, including watchmaker Sébastien Rousseau and technician-constructor Alexandre Bugnon. The venture embodies a fusion of tradition and innovation, guided by Renaud’s seasoned expertise and Tixier’s visionary foresight.

Renaud Tixier and the Monday watch

At the heart of Renaud Tixier’s ethos lies a commitment to challenging conventional wisdom and advancing micromechanics. Their inaugural creation, ‘Monday,’ serves as a testament to this philosophy, showcasing a groundbreaking micro-rotor engine that redefines energy efficiency and transmission within mechanical watches.

The micro-rotor, often overlooked in contemporary watchmaking despite its potential, takes center stage in ‘Monday.’ Dominique Renaud and Julien Tixier’s innovative approach transforms this traditional component into a kinetic engine, aptly named the ‘dancer.’ This ingenious mechanism, situated at the heart of the micro-rotor, optimizes winding efficiency and harnesses energy from even the slightest movements, setting a new standard for performance.

Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, Monday boasts a 40.8mm rose gold case housing the groundbreaking caliber and boasting exceptional engineering and elegant design. The movement, Reference RTVI2023, features an automatic winding system driven by the innovative ‘Dancer’ micro-rotor, ensuring a power reserve of over 60 hours. With a Palladium screw balance as its regulating organ, the watch offers central hours and minutes functionality, complemented by a small seconds sub-dial positioned at 4:00.

Measuring 36.8 mm in diameter and 6.86 mm in thickness, the movement comprises 315 components, including 30 jewels, and operates at a frequency of 2.5 Hz (18,000 vibrations per hour). Encased in 5N+ rose gold or white gold, the 40.8 mm case, with a thickness of 11 mm, features a sapphire crystal both on the front and the back, providing a glimpse into the intricate mechanics within.

Boasting a water resistance of 3 ATM (approximately 30 meters or 100 feet), the watch ensures durability and reliability in various conditions. The dial, available in slate gray or silver, exhibits a sunburst/grained texture, enhancing its visual appeal. Complementing the dial is a choice of calfskin or alligator strap, available in black, chocolate, or navy blue, hand-stitched with a folded edge and tone-on-tone stitching, secured with a buckle crafted from 5N rose gold or white gold. The watch retails for $89,750.

Renaud Tixier’s Monday transcends the boundaries of traditional watchmaking, marrying cutting-edge innovation with timeless elegance. The spectacular three-dimensional Dancer micro-rotor is clearly the star, but all of the fine finishings carry the watch to a new level. As the first chapter in their journey, Monday sets a precedent for future creations, promising to redefine the landscape of haute horlogerie.