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| Dubey & Schaldenbrand |
Georges Dubey, in his day a teacher at the reputable school of watchmaking in La Chauxde- Fonds, registered a patent together with master watchmaker Rene Schaldenbrand on March 12, 1946, that basically comprised a little spring. This little spring was spiral in shape, winding around the stem of the sweep second hand and was part of a simplified version of a split seconds chronograph. Its name, Index Mobile, became synonymous with that of the Dubey & Schaldenbrand brand, making it famous almost over night.
The "People's Rattrapant" by D&S required no column wheel or pincerlike levers. Instead, a simple "brake" was used that allowed the split second hand to be arrested by depressing a button in the crown until the time reading had been taken. The second hand still running recoiled a balance spring that was visible and
appeared to be lying on the dial itself, and that was hooked over the short ends of the two second hands. After releasing
, the button, a return spring ensured that the arrested second hand caught up with its "traveling companion" again. All very simple.
Today the Dubey & Schaldenbrand philosophy not only is cemented in the genius of its founding fathers but rests also in the anachronistic,
affectionate care in production found in the principles of the
classic art of making beautiful watches. The owner of the company, Cinette Robert, an absolute expert in early watch masterpieces, has an impressive talent for combining the technology of modern mechanical movements with the timeless and classic lines of new model families, such as is the case with Aerodyn. The flowing lines of the double-domed cases look good on anyone's wrist despite the watches' respectable dimensions, and the sheer profusion of
decorative work covering the dial with fine guilloche patterns or a shimmering enamel effect has made timepieces by Dubey & Schaldenbrand prized collectors' items.
The movements of the designated collectors' pieces, for example, receive special attention from the skilled hand of an engraver. Every watch thus decorated becomes in effect an individual work of art since the patterns prescribed are always slightly different, determined as they are by the imagination of the artist, and as a result contributing to the exclusive quality of each piece. Only when th bridges and cocks have been polished and go; plated are the individual parts assembled and subsequently subjected to long, meticulous testing of their running qualities before the movement is finally enclosed in its case.
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Dubey & Schaldenbrand
Case postale 79
CH - 2316 LES PONTS-DE-MARTEL
Tel: 0041-32-937 14 30
www.dubeywatch.com
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