Vincent Daveau is a French journalist specialising in watchmaking who has been part of the horological constellation for 34 years. Besides lending his pen to titles such as la Revue des Montres and Montres Magazine, he has written several books, including Montres de Stars, 1001 montres and John Arnold, un siècle de précision horlogère, to name but a few. He even wrote the foreword to the excellent “Comptage du Temps et Chronographe” by Roy Baierlein.
On this page
- Which watch are you wearing during this interview?
- What is your finest watch acquisition?
- What is your favourite watch complication?
- What passions do you have besides watchmaking?
- What would be your dream car?
- What are your favourite dish and wine?
- How would you define luxury?
- Which brand (watch or otherwise) best embodies luxury in your view?
- Which figure (historical or contemporary) inspires you?
- Which quality do you value most in others, and which flaw of your own do you regret?
- Which quote particularly inspires you?
- What time is it?
- Frequently asked questions
Yet Vincent Daveau is also, and above all, a man of many passions. A watchmaker by training, historian, medievalist, sailor and speaker, this tireless scholar never stops passing on the knowledge he draws from his countless interests. And whenever he can combine them, this modern-day adventurer needs no persuading.
As part of his activities, he will be at the Geneva Watch Days to present “John Arnold, un siècle de précision horlogère“. Through a detailed presentation, the audience will discover the story of one of the most famous watchmakers of all time. If you would like to attend, make a note of the following practical information:
Rotonde du Mont-Blanc
Sunday 1 September 2024, from 9:45 am to 10:45 am
Free admission and complimentary coffee.
For organisational reasons, please register at [email protected]
And until you get the chance to meet him, Passion Horlogère invites you to get to know Vincent Daveau. Here is our interview!
Which watch are you wearing during this interview?
Vincent Daveau – A Peguignet manufacture Rue Royale, prototype series.
What is your finest watch acquisition?
VD – A Hautlence HLS in platinum and titanium, a unique piece bearing my number.
What is your favourite watch complication?
VD – The Westminster Grande Sonnerie, and every astronomical complication.
What passions do you have besides watchmaking?
VD – Classic sailing, my château, steam locomotives, weapons and long-range shooting, medieval fencing, medieval Japan and its cuisine, painting, motorcycles…
What would be your dream car?
VD – A TR6 at the very least, or an Aston Martin V12 Vantage
What are your favourite dish and wine?
VD – A plate of fugu and tuna belly at Kinkaku-Ji, the Golden Pavilion in Kyoto. A glass of Harada Seiryu Junmai (a rare sake) or a glass of Cheval Blanc (Saint Emilion).
How would you define luxury?
VD – A unique piece, by a unique artist, for a unique man.
Which brand (watch or otherwise) best embodies luxury in your view?
VD – François-Paul Journe and his creations.
Which figure (historical or contemporary) inspires you?
VD – Voltaire
Which quality do you value most in others, and which flaw of your own do you regret?
VD – Generosity… And the flaw to correct: impatience.
Which quote particularly inspires you?
VD – Nudus nudum christum sequi. A quote from Bernard de Clairvaux, founder of the Cistercian order, later taken up by Saint Francis… Something impossible to achieve, yet it urges us to strive for perfection.
What time is it?
VD – Yours will be mine.
Frequently asked questions
Vincent Daveau is a French journalist specialising in watchmaking, active for 34 years. A watchmaker by training, historian, medievalist, sailor and speaker, he writes for la Revue des Montres and Montres Magazine, and is the author of several books, including “Montres de Stars”, “1001 montres” and “John Arnold, un siècle de précision horlogère”.
A Hautlence HLS in platinum and titanium, a unique piece bearing his number.
The Westminster Grande Sonnerie and every astronomical complication.
“A unique piece, by a unique artist, for a unique man.” For him, the brand that best embodies this kind of luxury is François-Paul Journe, through his creations.
Classic sailing, his château, steam locomotives, weapons and long-range shooting, medieval fencing, medieval Japan and its cuisine, painting and motorcycles.
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