Daniel Roth is considered today one of the most brilliant watchmakers of his generation. The importance of Daniel Roth in today’s success of independent watchmaking cannot be underscored enough. By creating his eponymous brand in the late 1980s after having worked at Audemars Piguet and Breguet, he was one the earliest master watchmakers who decided to go independent and put his vision and talent in a watch with his name on the dial.

Upon launch of his brand, Roth immediately established his personal design language, the most obvious being the unusual ellipsocurvex shape, hands with pointed tips and dials with guilloché patterns (either Clous de Paris or horizontal stripes)

The present very early reference 2147 from 1992 bearing number 3 in platinum houses the iconic Lemania 2320 also known as CH-27 movement that Roth refined and started reusing during his time at Breguet and used by other greats such as Patek Philippe for their references 5070, 3970 and 5970, Roger Dubuis, Vacheron Constantin and of course Breguet.

The present chronograph in platinum from 1992 with white gold contrasting dial is a sight to behold. The closed caseback features the beautifully hand engraved initials CR in a floral motif. In a letter dated 9 April 1992 from Daniel Roth to the owner Mr Rosmino, the master watchmaker writes that he appreciates the client’s support and that he will reserve every future Daniel Roth number 3 for him.