French brand Depancel has released a limited edition of its Autosport dedicated to “Les 2 Tours d’Horloge”, a 24-hour non-stop race for historic cars held on 7 and 8 November at the Circuit Paul Ricard. Its 3 o’clock counter lets the wearer log each hour of the race. The watch is limited to 100 numbered pieces at €795.
Summary
A watch built around a 24-hour race
Depancel, the French watch brand known for its automotive inspiration, has chosen a very specific event for this edition. Les 2 Tours d’Horloge was created in 1992 by Éric Van de Vyver. It is a 24-hour, non-stop race reserved for historic racing cars — an unusual format that Depancel describes as unique in the world.
The 2026 edition is held on 7 and 8 November at the Circuit Paul Ricard. The watch was designed to accompany drivers, teams and spectators through those two days.
A race counter you advance by hand
The key feature sits at 3 o’clock. This sub-dial is graduated from 1 to 12, then from 13 to 24. Each time an hour of racing goes by, the wearer presses the pusher and the hand advances by one hour, turning the watch into a simple, mechanical log of the race. Outside of the race, the same counter displays the month.
At 9 o’clock, the day-of-the-week counter has a nice detail: Saturday and Sunday are printed in yellow, the two days of the race. It is a discreet nod that makes sense on this particular weekend — and a pleasant touch on any other.
Steel case, Miyota automatic
The case is made of 316L stainless steel, 39 mm in diameter, 46 mm lug to lug and 12.6 mm thick (11.2 mm without the crystal), with a 20 mm lug width. It is topped with a double-domed sapphire crystal and water-resistant to 50 metres.
The movement is the Japanese Miyota 9122 automatic, which provides day, date and month functions. It beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour and offers a 40-hour power reserve. A sapphire caseback reveals the oscillating weight. Depancel states that the watch is designed and assembled in France.
The choice of calibre is what makes the dial layout possible: the Miyota 9122 already handles a month indication, which Depancel repurposes as a race counter during the event. With a 39 mm diameter and a 46 mm lug-to-lug length, the proportions remain compact for a sports watch, and the 20 mm lug width keeps strap changes straightforward.
Limited to 100 pieces
The edition is limited to 100 individually numbered pieces, priced at €795 including VAT (US$795 before tax on Depancel’s US site). Sales opened on 5 November at 4 pm Paris time on the brand’s website.
For a brand that has built its identity on motorsport, a watch tied to a specific race — and usable as a tool during it — is a coherent move, at a price that remains accessible for a limited edition.
Key specs
- Model: Depancel Autosport “Les 2 Tours d’Horloge” limited edition
- Case: 316L stainless steel, 39 mm, 46 mm lug to lug, 12.6 mm thick (11.2 mm without crystal), 20 mm lug width
- Crystal: double-domed sapphire; sapphire caseback
- Water resistance: 50 m
- Movement: Miyota 9122 automatic (day, date, month), 28,800 vph, 40-hour power reserve
- Dial: race counter at 3 o’clock (1–24, advanced by pusher, month outside races); day counter at 9 o’clock with Saturday and Sunday in yellow
- Edition: 100 numbered pieces
- Price: €795 incl. VAT
- Availability: from 5 November 2026, 4 pm Paris time, on depancel.com
Sources
- Depancel — Autosport Les 2 Tours d’Horloge product page (FR)
- Depancel — product page (US)
- Monochrome Watches
This story first aired in our 60-second Short, 60 Secondes Chrono.
