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In the workshop, the two watchmakers seem to complement and influence each other like the components of a finely tuned timepiece. Dominique Renaud visualizes everything in his mind, quickly sketches a few rough drawings on paper, and builds prototype models out of plexiglass to prove that his ideas can be realized. Julien Tixier, on the other hand, meticulously develops production plans and dives into hands-on work with his machines—cutting, constructing, and assembling.
FURLAN MARRI Secular Perpetual Calendar Only Watch & Tempus Fugit (2022)
From the very beginning, their chemistry was undeniable, making the founding of a brand bearing their names a natural progression. So in 2023, Dominique Renaud and Julien Tixier officially launched Renaud Tixier. Their goal was crystal clear: to revisit the foundational principles of mechanical watchmaking and push the boundaries of micromechanics—a field that, while historically cutting-edge, saw little advancement due to the industrialization of watchmaking. The duo dreams of forging new paths by challenging common practices, theories, and conventions, and of creating exceptionally crafted, innovative, and practical timepieces that reinterpret the key components of a mechanical watch: the escapement system, regulating organ, automatic winding, isochronism, and energy transmission.
Watch enthusiasts will surely recognize the name Renaud & Papi, the first independent company dedicated to the development and production of high-end watch movements. Founded in 1986 by Dominique Renaud and his friend Giulio Papi, Renaud & Papi became the birthplace of numerous groundbreaking innovations that shaped modern watchmaking and contributed significantly to the prestige and technological advancement of brands like IWC, A. Lange & Söhne, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Audemars Piguet, and Richard Mille.
Around the turn of the millennium, during its collaboration with Audemars Piguet, Renaud & Papi became a springboard for many now-famous independent watchmakers, such as Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey (Greubel Forsey), Andreas Strehler, and the Grönefeld brothers, who have since established their own renowned brands.
After Audemars Piguet acquired Renaud & Papi in 2000, Dominique Renaud chose the path of independence and moved to southern France. He returned to Switzerland nearly twelve years later, where he met a talented young watchmaker who left a lasting impression: Julien Tixier.
The two watchmaking partners decided to build their creative journey around seven stages, seven chapters, seven key themes. Each stage will culminate in an original creation based on an invention—one that enhances or refines an existing mechanical component, setting new standards for the future. This journey into the world of micromechanics is symbolically tied to the seven days of the week, beginning, of course, with Monday.
The first chapter in the story of Renaud Tixier is titled Monday and tackles one of the most delicate aspects of mechanical watches: energy generation. It reimagines a classic feature of haute horlogerie—the micro-rotor.
The advantage of a micro-rotor is that it can be integrated into the movement, allowing for an unobstructed view of the mechanism. Its drawback, however, is that it decelerates more easily than standard rotors.
How did they solve this issue? By placing a “dancer” at the heart of the micro-rotor—a supplementary mechanism that significantly enhances its performance. Through a round aperture on the left side of the dial, the micro-rotor and its “dancer” can be seen in action.
The Monday features a 40.8 mm case in rose or white gold and is priced at €83,300. It will be fascinating to follow this brand’s evolution. One can’t help but wonder—what will Tuesday bring?
