Romain Delafontaine r-watch Store Opening

DonCorson · 2015-11-28T13:33:47Z

Explore the opening of independent watchmaker Romain Delafontaine's r-watch store in Yverdon-les-Bains, featuring his unique date mechanism and affordable quality timepieces.

DonCorson

WPS member · Independents forum

6 replies3198 views32 photos

DonCorson provides an exclusive look into the opening of independent watchmaker Romain Delafontaine's first retail store in Yverdon-les-Bains. This report highlights Delafontaine's journey from working with major brands to establishing his own 'r-watch' brand, emphasizing accessible quality over high complication. The article offers a rare glimpse into the early days of an independent watchmaker's direct-to-consumer venture.

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We have been following independent watchmaker Romain Delafontaine for several years now. For example here and here. A watchmaker who has worked for many of the big and small houses in the industry in his career, just to drop some names; AP, F.-P. Journe, Chronode and Antoine Preziuso and Studio 7h38, Romain also has his own ideas and started his own brand "r-watch" in 2011. The r-watch models are playful with lots of ideas. They don't aspire to be at the top of the heap in decoration and polishing or technical complication but good solid quality along with an affordable price.

As a next step in his career Romain has decided to open his own store in his home town Yverdon-les-Bains. Let's stop in at the store opening celebration and take a look at some of the r-watch collection.

Romain welcomes us in his new store.

The store is in a pedestrian street in the center of town.

An r-watch special edition is being passed around.

The work bench is already well occupied. With his extensive experience Romain has access to spare parts for many brands including Raymond Weil, Sector, Zenith, Eterna, Ebel, Movado, Tag Heuer, Louis Erard, Mondaine and the Swatch Group basic, mid and high range brands.

Friends and colleagues from many of his professional positions came by to congratulate. The evening was quite a crowd of high end horological competence.

Romain's school clock.

Watch watching.

Romain's newest watch creation is this original date mechanism. As the date advances the date pointer turns pointing to the date alternately on the inside and the outside of the date ring. As you can see the dial itself has an internal gear along its edge which activates this mechanism.

This Blue Angels watch is the result of a customer request....

The three color watch confounds me each time I see it. I wouldn't otherwise believe that simply changing the color of the indexes would change the feeling of the watch so profoundly. 3 watches in one, the colors automatically changing every day.

The 3 color Ubiquity which includes a donation to a charity caring for water around the world in its price.

[Typographic edits only]

This message has been edited by MTF on 2015-11-29 23:07:41

Key Points from the Discussion

The new date mechanism on Romain's latest watch, which features a pointer that alternately indicates the date on the inside and outside of the date ring, is an interesting solution to date display, reminiscent of other innovative approaches by well-known watchmakers.
Romain Delafontaine himself expressed gratitude for the coverage and extended an invitation to WatchProSite purists to visit his new store, promising a warm welcome.
The unique and playful design of r-watch timepieces, particularly the new date mechanism, resonated with community members, who expressed interest in owning one.

The Discussion

Luis6

Nov 28, 2015

It's not always easy for an independent watchmaker to start up his/her own business.

I salute Mr. Romain Delafontaine for his courage, and wish him a bright future.

Mitch K

Nov 29, 2015

Hi Don. Interesting set of watches. I am particularly fascinated by the rotating date.

I had a conversation with a very well known watchmaker just the other day and he was commenting how he was bothered by the central hand of a triple date as it coursed across the dial and distracted from the appearance. He created his own solution and now there is another interesting solution. Does the date indicator jump or is it a gradual turn? Interesting that this watch shop is so close to home. I suspect there will be many visits in store for you. Also notable was the watching and the watch

Ronald Held

Nov 29, 2015

Interesting set of watches. I wish him well as a new independent. (nt)

Romain

Dec 8, 2015

Thanks

Thanks to all of you, I want to add that there will be no wine each time you come... Unless if it's to celebrate something cool (if a purists is coming...) I will be honored to see one of you, and I will thanks Don for his report ! Cheers Romain

cazalea

Mar 9, 2017

Will there be a few r-watches in stock, or are they all made to order?

Thanks for your thoughts. Cazalea

Mar 7, 2017

I enjoyed this post. Thank you Mr Corson.

Interesting timepieces. I could see an r-watch on my wrist. M4