Hands On: Depancel’s Allure Chronograph MecaQ 36 Motorsport-Inspired Watch

French independent watch brand Depancel today unveils its new Allure Chronograph MecaQ 36 mm, a timepiece that blends vintage motorsport aesthetics with modern-day watch technology. Designed for enthusiasts of both cars and horology, for large wrists and smaller wrists, this watch combines high-performance features with a strong nod to 1970s racing culture.

The perfect match of both deftly reflects the brand’s strong ties to the automotive world via its presence at iconic events like Rétromobile Paris and Epoqu’Auto Lyon, its role as the Official Sponsor of GPX Racing – and, most recently, its partnership with the Masters Historic Championship at Silverstone in the UK.

The 36mm stainless steel watch boats bold racing color accents and a rugged yet alluring (hence, the name) appeal. We were lucky enough to get our hands on the watch a few weeks before its launch, so now we can bring an in-depth look at the standout qualities of this motorsport-inspired chronograph.

Impressions of the Depancel Allure Chronograph MecaQ 36mm

The first thing I noticed when taking the watch out of the box was the dynamics of the color ways (black with red/orange accents), the geometry of shapes (round against tonneau) and the bold yet refined appeal.

Wearing the Allure Chronograph MecaQ 36mm further underscored my first impressions. It offers an excellent balance between ruggedness and elegance, exactly what you want from a sports-inspired but daily wear watch. It feels solid on the wrist, yet maintains a smooth, comfortable fit thanks to its integrated bracelet and, by extension, lack of lugs. The brushed stainless steel bracelet is smooth to the touch and complements the polished bezel with its high-styled finish.

The dial, a dark matte black, serves as a perfect backdrop for the vivid orange used for the chronograph seconds hand and as accents on the subsidiary dials. The striking racing red orange offers an energetic burst of color that instantly evokes the feeling of a speedometer on a vintage race car. This contrast is not just for show, though. These pops of color enhance legibility and make timing functions easier to read in any setting. The crown, with its red orange inset, is another standout feature, offering excellent grip while adding a stylish element to the watch’s overall design.

What really ties the aesthetic together is the combination of the round dial and the tonneau-shaped case. This marriage of shapes gives the Allure Chronograph a vintage feel with a modern twist, appealing to both classic watch lovers and those with a penchant for contemporary style. It’s also an ideal size for a variety of wrist types, with a 36 mm case that fits nicely on larger wrists but doesn’t  look out of place on smaller ones.

Depancel Performance: A Mechaquartz Marvel

At the heart of the Allure Chronograph MecaQ 36 mm is the Seiko VK63 mechaquartz movement. For those unfamiliar, a mechaquartz movement uses quartz technology for the timekeeping along with a mechanical module for the chronograph – yielding outstanding precision for both. In this instance, the hybrid movement, offers functions that resemble a mechanical watch, including a sweeping seconds hand and quick return to zero for the chronograph. TheVK63, essentially delivers the best of both worlds: the accuracy of quartz and the satisfying mechanical feel when you engage the chronograph.

The chronograph subsidiary dials are  laid out in a tri-compax configuration with three subdials, giving the watch a well-balanced and classic chronograph look. It features a 60-minute counter, a 24-hour display, and running seconds, all framed by a tachymeter scale that reinforces the motorsport heritage. The smooth action of the chronograph pushers is a pleasure to use, with an instant reset and the satisfying click of a mechanical movement—a feature that sets the mechaquartz apart from purely quartz-driven watches.

The flat sapphire crystal is treated with an anti-reflective coating, ensuring optimal visibility in bright conditions, while the applied hour markers and Super-LumiNova® inserts make reading the time effortless, even in low-light situations. With water resistance up to 50 meters, the watch is robust enough for daily wear and outdoor activities.

Depancel’s founder, Clément Meynier, is a motorsport enthusiast and engineer, and his passion is reflected in the brand’s focus on precision and performance. The Allure Chronograph MecaQ 36 mm takes these values and translates them into a wearable piece of action and lifestyle, of retro-inspired design cues and modern technology.

The watch retails for approximately $595, a great value proposition for a meca-quartz movement and high style looks.