A key figure in modern watchmaking through the Renaud & Papi manufacture, later integrated into Audemars Piguet, Dominique Renaud has announced the creation of his new brand, HHDR (Haute Horlogerie Dominique Renaud).
The debut model, the Pulse60, is powered by a new movement, the Dominique Renaud BUA2024, where BUA stands for Balancier Ultra Amplitude.
Known for his work on regulating organs, often at very high frequencies of up to 12 Hz—well above the 2.5 to 5 Hz typically found in mechanical watches—Renaud adopts a different approach here. The movement operates at a frequency of 1 Hz, meaning the balance completes one oscillation per second, or 60 beats per minute.
Rather than pursuing precision through increased frequency, this configuration focuses on stability through a slower, more controlled rhythm. The reduced frequency also limits the number of impulses within the escapement, decreasing disturbances that may affect the balance’s motion.
To support this architecture, the movement is equipped with a large 20 mm balance wheel with high inertia, recalling the oversized balances used in marine chronometers.
Once in motion, this balance maintains a steady rhythm and shows reduced sensitivity to variations in torque or minor shocks. Its inertia acts as a stabilising factor, with small disturbances representing only a limited fraction of the overall energy, thereby reducing their impact on timekeeping.
In conventional movements, the geometry of the regulating organ constrains the amplitude of the balance. Exceeding this range leads to “knocking”, where the balance strikes the pallet fork, affecting performance. In the BUA2024, the system has been reworked to allow amplitudes well beyond 360° without knocking.
In the Pulse60, the balance can theoretically reach approximately 700°, while remaining within a stable operating range.
This extended amplitude allows the balance to oscillate more freely and for longer under its own inertia, reducing the relative influence of the escapement. As a result, disturbances have a more limited effect, contributing to consistent rate stability across positions.
The case is conceived with an emphasis on continuity, defined by smooth, uninterrupted lines.
A domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment rises from the middle case, while the absence of a traditional bezel and lugs allows the strap to integrate directly into the structure.
Measuring 40 mm by 44 mm with a thickness of 12 mm including the crystal, the case is available in Grade 5 titanium or in a combination of titanium and pink gold.
Its three-part construction comprises a central container flanked by elements extending into the strap. The profile is defined by the contrast between the circular satin-brushed top and the polished flanks.
A flat sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating closes the caseback, while water resistance is rated to 3 ATM (30 metres / 100 feet).
The display is organised across several indications. The hour and minute dial at 12 o’clock intersects with the seconds counter at 9 o’clock, which shows a natural dead half-second, a direct result of the 1 Hz frequency.
The regulating system, positioned outside the balance wheel, allows an unobstructed view of the large low-frequency balance.
At 3 o’clock, the torque indicator provides a direct reading of the remaining power from the barrel.
The titanium versions feature grey or black dials with an opaline base and diamond-cut openings, creating a restrained interplay of light and depth.
The bi-material version is distinguished by a guilloché dial, reinterpreting a traditional decorative technique in a contemporary manner.
The open caseback reveals a structured arrangement based on simple geometric forms—circles, half-circles and straight lines.
The upper section houses the crown wheel and ratchet, while the lower part highlights the escapement line and an offset double roller system.
Developed specifically for the Pulse60, the integrated strap is equipped with an interchangeable system for practical adjustment.
The Dominique Renaud Pulse60 will be available from April 2026 through authorised retailers, with prices set at CHF 49,000 (excluding taxes) for the titanium version and CHF 59,000 (excluding taxes) for the titanium and pink gold version. dominiquerenaud.com
