The Depancel Série-R Chronograph Skeleton Is A Mechanical Open Book
Today, Depancel opens up and shares its mechanical heart. The new Série-R Chronograph Skeleton takes that approach to a fresh extreme. Fully skeletonized, the dial looks entirely different from the rest of the brand’s lineup. It’s a racy design that takes its cues from ’70s automotive prototypes like the Maserati Boomerang. Unlike that one-off, though, this watch is available to more than a single owner.
Until now, the Depancel Série-R collection has featured closed-dial chronographs inspired by classic sports cars. Smooth lines and spirited motoring come to mind when seeing previous pieces. All that goes out the window today (and ironically, the watch is transparent) with the new Skeleton Chronograph. This edgy new model trades sporting elegance for brash, harder lines. Frankly, we’re here for it!
The Depancel Série-R Chronograph Skeleton
The Série-R Chronograph Skeleton has a 36 × 40mm 316L stainless steel case. Its 13.7mm thickness, while indicative of a sports chronograph, remains reasonable, as does the wearable 48.5mm lug-to-lug. Overall, the proportions are balanced for natural wrist comfort. From a finishing perspective, the stainless steel case mixes brushed and polished surfaces. A curved sapphire crystal follows the case lines and carries the Depancel logo. Water resistance stands at 50 meters, which is always a bonus for a non-round watch. Meanwhile, a black perforated leather strap with orange stitching and a stainless steel buckle completes the look.
The mechanics are the heart of the design
The fully skeletonized dial reveals the mechanics beneath, with the movement taking center stage. All chronograph indicators have an orange hue. The 3 o’clock sub-dial displays a 30-minute counter, while the 9 o’clock totalizer shows a 12-hour display. Naturally, there’s a centrally mounted seconds counter. All of this sounds busy, but the orange lets the eye find the functions at once. The watch uses the hallmark “Depancel Dashboard” hands and indexes, coated with Super-LumiNova C1. This keeps the dial legible in both darkness and light. Moreover, the skeleton construction lets light play through the entire movement. As a result, every gear and bridge becomes part of the visual language.
The Peacock SL-4802 movement
The Peacock SL-4802 caliber powers the Série-R Chronograph Skeleton. This automatic movement has 41 jewels, a 28,800vph frequency, and a 55-hour power reserve. Depancel’s watchmakers in Besançon, France inspect and regulate each movement before assembly. Of course, the movement is visible from both the dial side and through the sapphire case back. Anthracite-coated components include the rotor, mainplate and bridges, providing contrast against the case.
The Série-R Chronograph Skeleton is limited to 100 pieces
Depancel has produced the Série-R Chronograph Skeleton in a limited run of just 100 numbered pieces. Each example carries an individual number on the case flank. Because of its construction, it costs more than the closed models, but it’s still intriguing. The price stands at €1,595 / US$1,595 / £1,400. Again, it’s accessible while remaining exclusive. Pre-orders are currently open on the brand’s website, with deliveries beginning in mid-December. Each piece comes with a five-year warranty and a travel case. All told, this is a nice expansion of the Série-R line and shows how different a model can look when given the skeleton treatment.
