4N Watch Design with CATIA V6: 3D Modeling and Simulation

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4N Watch Design with CATIA V6: 3D Modeling and Simulation

Case study showing how 4N used CATIA V6 to model a 200+ part mechanical watch, run virtual simulations, and cut design time versus 2D CAD methods.

Published

June 4, 2026

Read time

3 min read

Source

François Quentin of 4N designed a luxury watch with a digital-style mechanical display using CATIA V6 for full 3D assembly modeling, kinematics validation, and change propagation across 200 internal components. The platform replaced sketches and 2D drawings, enabled rapid iterations, and supported stress testing with SIMULIA, ergonomic review with DELMIA, and virtual showroom experiences with 3DVIA. 4N joined the 3DS Fashion Lab to extend these PLM capabilities into high-end watchmaking.

Key takeaways

CATIA V6 produced a complete 3D model and kinematics simulation of a 200-element watch mechanism

Virtual validation replaced physical prototypes and shortened overall design cycle time

Assembly management and change propagation across the full product structure reduced rework

Integrated simulation (SIMULIA) and human factors review (DELMIA) identified issues before tooling

4N became a 3DS Fashion Lab partner to advance PLM adoption in luxury watch design

Market overview

SCR methodology note

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