The famous French magician Jean Eugene Robert-Houdin started out as a clockmaker, and became a magician. I think I’m going in the opposite direction.

At Chamber Magic last weekend, a lovely couple sat in the front row, and the husband was wearing this wristwatch. I actually stopped the show for a moment so I could look down at his wrist. It’s quite distinctive.

The manufacturer is Dubey & Schaldenbrand, a Swiss watchmaker that I was not familiar with – despite the fact that they were established in 1946. The company is headquartered in La Chaux-de-Fonds, the third largest city in the French-speaking part of Switzerland (after Geneva and Lausanne).

After the show, the gentleman and his wife spent some time talking about this watch, and peaked my interest. Now I’m on the prowl for this watch, but since it’s such a niche brand I haven’t been able to easily locate it.

Anyone?