FAQ - DEDALE Watches | Pre-order, automatic pilot watch, delivery, warranty, chronoscope

By booking from September 18, you will secure your place among the first owners of the Waypoint WP-01, without any payment to make. You will also join the founders of an independent watchmaking company founded in Toulouse, where each watch is designed with aeronautical standards in mind.

Production will be launched when a total of 80 reservations (all colours combined) have been assembled and converted into orders. Each reservation demonstrates a real interest and contributes to bringing this collection to life under the best conditions.

As a token of appreciation for your trust, you benefit from an exclusive preferential rate during this booking phase, as well as privileged access to a limited and numbered series.

Your reservation will be without financial commitment and can be canceled at any time before the launch of production via our contact form.

We invite everyone to book with a sincere intention to acquire their next Waypoint WP-01. This mutual trust is essential to allow DÉDALE to take off.

Be part of those who write history.

Watch production will begin once we have received 80 orders across all color options. Production will then take approximately 6 months. This timeline is dictated by our high standards: every component, including the automatic movement, is manufactured specifically for this series. Adjustment, assembly, and testing are then performed individually by our watchmaker in the Paris region, using traditional craftsmanship that takes its time.

In the exceptional event that your order cannot be fulfilled, you will be informed by email and fully refunded.

During the reservation process, you can request a change or cancellation.

Please contact our customer service team via the contact form at the bottom of the page for any requests. We will respond as soon as possible.

You can provide us with several preferred serial numbers, in order of preference, in the designated section of the reservation form.

If you have forgotten to enter your choice after validating your reservation, please send us several desired serial numbers, in order of preference, via the contact form.

Serial numbers are assigned based on the order in which reservations are confirmed. We will do our best to honor your first choice, though we cannot guarantee it. If your first choice is no longer available, we will consider your other preferences.
If none of your preferred numbers are available, or if you do not provide us with a choice after your order is confirmed, we will assign you the next available number from our production run.

European Union

Prices include all applicable taxes and customs duties.

Outside the European Union

Prices are shown without taxes. Customs duties and local taxes may apply depending on your country's regulations. We invite you to contact your country's customs services to find out the current rates. If these charges are not paid, your order will be returned to us.

European Union

Shipping costs are included in the displayed price.

Outside European Union

Shipping costs are not included in the displayed price. They will be calculated at the time of order based on your address.

It is not possible to have your parcel delivered to a relay point.
Your parcel will only be delivered against signature.

Chrono = time
Graph = to write
Scope = to observe

Since 1821, when the term Chronograph (literally "to write time") was invented by N-M Rieussec, chronographs have ceased to write time, contenting themselves with visually indicating it with a hand.

At DÉDALE, the watches we design do not trace time in ink. This is why the correct, and most technical, term for our Waypoint collection is Chronoscope (literally "to observe time"). This is not a semantic whim; it is a technical claim.

In many scientific fields (physics, neurology, ballistics),
this is the term used for time-measuring instruments.

The Waypoint does not write the past. It allows action in the present.

To learn more, please consult our article "chronograph: the history of time that is no longer written".

The names of the DÉDALE collections are directly inspired by the aeronautical and space world.

• Waypoint: navigation point used to structure a flight and guide an aircraft's trajectory. Learn more
  
• ALFA ZULU: From the classification of French vintage aircraft registration. Their registration always begins with F-AZ or F-AY. In the NATO phonetic alphabet (widely used in aeronautics) A= ALFA (not Alpha), Z= ZULU, and Y= YANKEE
  
• NOVEMBER: The main color being black, it was naturally chosen to keep the first letter N and link it to its NATO phonetic designation: N= November.
  
• PAPA: Unlike the NOVEMBER, the PAPA does not get its name from its color but from its "Panda" appearance, a term used in watchmaking to designate watches with light dials and black sub-dials. In the NATO phonetic alphabet P= Papa
  
• SIDUS: "Star, constellation". A spatial reference, directly linked to its meteorite dial.
  

These names convey the same vision: mastering time and space, at the heart of Dédale's DNA.

Yes, DÉDALE is actively involved in solidarity actions in line with its values.

The brand supports Aviation Sans Frontières, an NGO involved in:

• Humanitarian missions
  
• Educational actions
  

Each watch sold helps fund these initiatives.

This commitment reflects a strong desire: to give meaning to measured time.

DÉDALE watches can legally be considered Made in France. However, we have chosen not to claim this designation in order to remain completely transparent with our customers.

What does "Made in France" really mean?

The Made in France designation is based on a regulatory criterion: a product is considered French if its last substantial transformation is carried out in France.

Concretely, for a watch, a simple operation such as attaching the strap, the clasp, and packaging could legally be enough to apply the label.
There is no need to use French expertise.

This is precisely why the designation can be misleading if it is used as a simplified marketing argument.

DÉDALE manufacturing: between France and international excellence

Our watches are designed with a logic of demanding standards and mastery. The steps carried out in France include:

• Research and development
• Design
• Assembly
• Adjustments
• Double quality controls
• Tests
• After-sales service
  

Certain parts are manufactured internationally to ensure the highest level of performance:

• The automatic movement of the Waypoint collection is entirely designed and manufactured in Japan by TMI factories. It was selected for its technical excellence, recognized reliability, and easy access to spare parts for any watchmaker.
• The straps are made of Italian leather, renowned for its exceptional quality.
• A portion of our components is machined in the Guangdong region, under the supervision of our French partner established on-site. We work with leading manufacturers, who have become global references in watchmaking technology and expertise, producing for watch brands with more restrictive labels.
  This choice, fully embraced with transparency, allows us to meet our stringent specifications, true to our aeronautical rigor.
  This transparency illustrates our commitment: quality and precision are not measured by a label, but by the real mastery of each component and each production step.
  

A French anchor

The "FRANCE" engraving on the back of the case salutes our French roots, values the expertise carried out in-house as well as that of our French partners, expresses the demanding standards that guide our approach, and asserts our anchoring.

Our customers thus know exactly where and how each watch is made, without approximation or misleading marketing.

Our Waypoint collection is equipped with an automatic movement, meaning you won't need to manually wind it as long as the watch is worn daily. In case of prolonged disuse, manual winding via the crown will be necessary.

Winding Procedure:

Unscrew the crown until it is fully disengaged from the thread, then perform 55 clockwise rotations to ensure full winding.

Usage Precautions:

To preserve the integrity of your watch, we recommend never winding it while it is on your wrist, as this could damage the crown stem.

Similarly, ensure the watch is completely dry before manipulating the crown.

Although the automatic movement's rotor naturally charges through wrist movements, we strongly advise against shaking the watch excessively to accelerate this process. Such abrupt movements could damage the internal components of the movement. If winding is necessary, always use the crown.

When you pull out the crown of your watch, it is normal to feel two distinct positions, known as “notches”.

The movement used in your watch was originally designed to include a date function. The first click therefore corresponds to the date setting. However, as a design choice was made not to display this information on this model, this position serves no purpose. It is therefore normal to see no change when you turn the crown to this first click.

The second click, on the other hand, is for setting the time. This is the position you should use to set your watch accurately.

An automatic movement is a mechanism that winds itself naturally thanks to the movements of your wrist.
Unlike a quartz watch that runs on a battery, or a manual mechanical watch that needs to be wound daily via the crown, an automatic movement draws its energy from your daily movements.

At the heart of this system: an oscillating weight that pivots freely with each movement of your arm. This rotation winds the mainspring, creating an energy reserve that continuously powers the watch.
Worn regularly, your watch never stops.

This perpetual mechanism embodies centuries of watchmaking expertise with complete autonomy.

Our chronoscopes are powered by the TMI NE86 automatic movement, the culmination of the best of watchmaking engineering.

The chronoscope is a watch complication that precisely measures a time interval while maintaining the time display.

Using the chronoscope: essential steps

Using a chronoscope is simple and relies on two push-buttons located on the side of the case:

• Start the chronoscope: Press the upper piston-shaped push-button (at 2 o'clock). The central hand starts moving to measure seconds.
  
• Stop the chronoscope: Press the same push-button a second time to stop time counting.
  
• Reset: Use the lower push-button (at 4 o'clock) to reset the chronoscope hands.
  

The left sub-dial shows the elapsed minutes, whilst the large central hand shows the elapsed seconds, allowing for an accurate reading of the elapsed time.

What is a chronoscope used for?

A chronoscope is a watch function that allows you to measure precise intervals of time, independently from the main time display.

In an aeronautical context, it becomes a genuine pilot’s tool. A pilot can use it to:

• time a flight segment between two navigation points
• estimate fuel consumption over a given duration
• manage procedures that require precise timing (holding patterns, circuits, etc.)

The chronoscope is started, stopped, and reset using pushers, allowing for quick and reliable readings in flight.

Beyond its functionality, it also reflects the heritage of cockpit instruments: a precision tool, designed for those who operate in environments where every second counts.

Usage tips

• Do not activate the push-buttons underwater to preserve your watch's water resistance.
  

A DÉDALE automatic watch runs on the natural movements of the wrist. If it is not worn daily, it will stop once its power reserve is depleted (approximately 45 hours on Waypoint models).

To restart it, wind it manually via the crown

When worn regularly, it remains in continuous operation thanks to its oscillating weight.

To remember: an automatic watch is designed to live at the rhythm of its wearer.

DÉDALE Waypoint watches offer water resistance up to 10 bars (145 psi - 100 meters), suitable for everyday use: splashes, rain, moderate swimming.

In case of frequent use in water, an annual leak check is recommended.

However, they are not designed for scuba diving.

Our Waypoint collection is certified water-resistant to 10 bars (145 psi - 100 meters).
This measurement indicates the maximum pressure an stationary watch can withstand in calm water at a given depth (1 bar = 10 m). While this technical reference is essential, it does not always reflect real-world usage conditions.

It is important to consider that moving water generates much higher pressures than static immersion. A shower jet, the flow of a river, or the practice of a water sport create dynamic stresses that far exceed simple depth. This is why a 3 bar (30 m) water-resistant watch is only resistant to moderate splashes, while a 5 bar (50 m) water resistance allows for moderate swimming without diving.

It is also advisable not to wear your watch in a hot, humid environment (shower, thermal baths, etc.), as heat expands components, which could compromise water resistance.

With a 10 bar water resistance, our chronoscopes are equipped with a screw-down crown that can withstand most everyday mishaps involving fluids. We strongly advise against scuba diving.


MAINTENANCE OF SEALS

The watch case’s water resistance relies on a system of aerospace-grade seals that protect the watch not only from water, but also from sweat, heat, UV rays, chemicals, cosmetics, and dust.

These seals naturally degrade over time and with use. Water resistance cannot therefore be guaranteed indefinitely. If the watch is used regularly in water, we recommend an annual leak check.

PRECAUTIONS TO MAINTAIN WATER RESISTANCE

Never operate the chronograph pushers underwater or while the watch is wet.

Never unscrew or adjust the crown underwater or while the watch is wet.

Ensure that the crown is fully screwed down before any exposure to water, using the red indicator on the crown as a visual guide.

Never open the case yourself. Doing so could compromise its integrity and displace the gaskets.

If water or condensation appears under the sapphire crystal, contact our customer service department immediately.

If you regularly wear your watch in water, we recommend having it serviced annually for a water resistance test and to replace the gaskets.

Avoid extreme temperature changes involving liquids.


Water can permanently damage the leather on your watch band. For water activities, we recommend the WingSteel, our 316L stainless steel band, available as an option.

Regular maintenance ensures the accuracy and durability of your DÉDALE watch.

Best practices:

• Clean the case with a soft cloth
  
• Check that the crown is fully screwed in before contact with water
  
• Rinse with fresh water after exposure to salt water
  
• Avoid thermal and mechanical shocks
  

Absolutely to avoid:

• Operating the pushers or crown underwater
  
• Exposing the watch to humid heat (shower, hammam)
  

Water resistance relies on gaskets that naturally wear out and require regular monitoring.

An automatic watch should be serviced on average every 5 to 7 years to ensure:

• The precision of the movement
• The longevity of the components
• The maintenance of water resistance
  

In case of frequent use in water, an annual inspection of the seals is recommended.

A service generally includes cleaning, lubrication, and adjustments of the movement.

All our watches are guaranteed for 2 years internationally.

The warranty applies only when a component of the watch or straps is defective, or a manufacturing defect is found.

All our watches are tested individually to guarantee technical characteristics, including movement adjustment and water resistance.

For all information regarding the warranty, please consult article 9 of our General Terms and Conditions of Sale

An international warranty and authenticity card is provided.

You have the right to withdraw without providing a reason within fourteen (14) days.

Return shipping costs are the responsibility of the customer.

Please consult Article 8 of our Terms of Sale for all information regarding your right of withdrawal.

We would be delighted to hear from you directly. Your questions and suggestions help us improve our offerings and better meet your expectations. Please feel free to contact us directly via the contact form accessible by clicking the button below. We will get back to you as soon as possible.