Manufacturer: Daniel Roth Year: Circa 2005 Movement No: 135'356 Case No: 2'116 Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. DR500, 31 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel pin buckle Dimensions: 41mm length x 38mm width Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
Catalogue Essay
Daniel Roth is a renowned independent watchmaker respected by the watch community for his extraordinary skill and erudition. As a fourth-generation watchmaker from Nice in France, after beginning his career with Audemars Piguet in the late 1960s and then joining Breguet in 1973, Daniel Roth ventured to starting his own eponymous brand in 1988. He contributed tremendously to the revival of the Breguet workshop, including inventing the first ever perpetual wristwatch for the brand. Known to be a faithful disciple to the work of the legendary Abraham-Louis Breguet, Daniel Roth’s timepieces are a fantastic combination of heritage and invention imbued with his very own approach to art-mechanics.
Encased in Daniel Roth’s signature double-ellipse case, the present timepiece is an excellent example in stainless steel. One of the most appealing facets to Daniel Roth’s watches is undoubtedly the stunning hand-finished details. The pinstripe guilloché pattern on the background of the dial is spectacular. Accentuated by the classic Breguet motif, delicate filet sauté guilloché are found surrounding the exquisite cabochons dotted adjacent to the Roman numerals. Even finer filet sauté guilloché patterns decorates the three registers at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock. On top of the dial, the flamed blued hands, reminiscent of the “pomme évidée” hands (or simply “Breguet hands”) but in the classic Roth arrow style, are a superb accent to entirety of the dial. The present watch further houses the DR500 calibre based on the famous Zenith El Primero movement, also used by the very first Rolex Daytona. Fortunately, the transparent case back allows one to witness the movement in its full glory. Preserved in attractive condition, the present watch is a prime example of Daniel Roth’s finest craftmanship.