Simply Abu Dhabi XXXIV

SAD: Do you do anything to expose yourself to new ideas and new thinking on a regular basis? DC: Yes, every day I aim to leave my comfort zone and find new ideas. Growing up, I was taught that every problem has only a solution. But I will admit, it takes patience and perseverance to find solutions, as I always try to combine aesthetics, functionality and simplicity. SAD: Is there a particular brandor a specific watch that holds a special place in your heart andmind? DC: There are several amazing timepieces, but here are some of the main ones, I truly admire: • “La Merveilleuse” montre de poche d’Ami LeCoultre-Piguet •“L’Astronomique” montre de poche de la maison Capt au Solliat •Royal Oak Jumbo Audemars Piguet •Reverso tourbillon 60ème anniverssaire Jaeger-LeCoultre •RM 01 Tourbillon Richard Mille •Grande Sonnerie Philippe Dufour •F. P. Journe, collection Souveraine, Chronomètre à resonance •Greubel Forsey, Balancier Contemporain SAD: Do you have a credo or motto that you live by? DC: Yes. “When you wake up in the morning, remember how precious it is to be alive, to breathe, to have a healthy family and to know that we are able to create anything we desire. Everyday should be lived as if it were our last.” SAD: What is the best lesson you ever learned? DC: Failures will occur, but that the lesson is not the failure; but the action you take to get back up and keep moving towards turning your failures into success. SAD: How do you personally define a truly exceptional wristwatch? DC: A timepiece must draw your emotion, have structure and DNA. It needs to be functional, ergonomics and timeless. SAD: Although the D. Candaux brand is only just starting, you are already regarded as one of the greatest living watchmakers – do you feel any sense of pressure or expectation? DC: I personally have set my own very high level of expectation. I told myself, I would need to go above and beyond to be able to achieve the best. I do everything with my heart and soul to be able to create the best for my collectors. SAD: What matters to you?What are you passionate about?What gets you up in themorning and keeps you awake at night? DC: (laughing) I never sleep, I’m always looking for new ideas. Right this second, I am working on a new movement. Life is too short to not do anything your heart desires. Aside frommy family being my number one passion in life, watchmaking is just something that will always be part of me. A history of me, that I hope to be able to someday hand down to my children, as my grandfather and father did with me. SAD:Whatdoyourecogniseasbeingyourmostfortunategiftinyourcareersofar? DC: The most fortunate gift I have acquired by far, is the opportunity to create these amazing timepieces alongside my father and the spirit of my grandfather. It has been such an amazing and incredible experience for me. SAD: Who are the people that you spend themost amount of time with? DC: I have a small group of individuals I spend most of my time with. They inspire me on a day-to-day basis, to achieve for greatness and success. These amazing people are my family, my neighbour Phillipe Dufour, and my business partner. SAD: I presume from the exquisite finishing and dizzying technological heights of yourwatches that productionwill always be limited– sowhat are your plans and hopes for D. Candaux watches? DC: My dream will be to fulfil all the requests I receive daily. Building these extraordinary timepieces by hand takes time and dedication. Therefore, creating these timepieces will always be limited to a certain number a year. Hopefully in the future, I can pass on my passion and knowhow to train watchmakers and teach them the same lesson my father and peers did for me.