Hands On A Unique Jean Dunand Shabaka Watch

Hands On A Unique Jean Dunand Shabaka Watch

Adrienne Faurote
By Adrienne Faurote September 28, 2015

When Jean Dunand introduced the Shabaka to the watchmaking community in 2007, he surprised many with a wonderfully avant-garde timepiece with a striking angular construction, and an equally charming minute repeater. This year, the independent watch brand, co-founded by Christophe Claret and Thierry Oulevay (who passed away in 2013), returned to the design, this time presenting the watch in a round case and a Stromatolite dial.

Jean Dunand Shabaka 2015 Collection Watch Baselworld

The Shabaka is, first and foremost, a wonderful feat of micro engineering. Not only does it display the day, date, month, the three pillars of the calendar dominating the top half of the dial, but it also includes a leap year indication between 7 and 8 o’clock and a moon phase directly opposite. But add to that a vivid dial, a minute repeater, and a power reserve at the back, and you have to wonder if Jean Dunand isn’t overstretching itself?

Jean Dunand Shabaka 2015 Red Watch Baselworld

In an effort to make the Shanaka more accessible to watch collectors, the watch is now presented in a more traditional, circular case, measuring 47MM and made in pink gold. A base that is – one cannot but point out – remarkably similar to the Christophe Claret Allegro, a minute repeater also made by the brand’s co-founder; although the push-pieces on the caseband at 2 and 4 o’clock serve a different purpose.

Jean Dunand Shabaka 2015 Red Watch Baselworld angle

In the Shabaka, they set the calendar functions. The button at 2 o’clock sets the day independently, while the button at 4 o’clock advances the entire calendar by 24 hours. On the other side of the case, a minute repeater slide can be activated to strike on cathedral gongs.

Jean Dunand Shabaka 2015 Red Watch Baselworld Back

Powering the watch is caliber CLA88QP, a manually wound movement by the expert in repeating movements, Christophe Claret, which is beautifully decorated with côtes de Genève, and can admired through its sapphire case-back.

Jean Dunand Shabaka 2015 Red Watch Baselworld Wrist

A lot of elements have been packed into the Shabaka. However, the new case construction, and textured dial help them come through to create something very special, and unique!

Jean Dunand Shabaka 2015 Blue Watch Baselworld

A one-of-a-kind, like all of the watches in the Jean Dunand collection, the dial of the Shabaka can be customized to the desires of the customer, who can also pick from three materials for the case: white gold, pink gold, and palladium. While prices will vary, base price is set around 460,000 Swiss Francs or just under $500,000.

Photo Credit: Haute Time. For more information, please visit the official Jean Dunand website. Follow Haute Time on Instagram to catch all of the new releases as they happen.