Daniel Roth Extra Plat - Ref. C107 with a rare open caseback

The Watch

Perpetual calendars, tourbillons, and chronographs are the most celebrated pieces from early Daniel Roth, but there's a solid case that the purest form holds equal amounts of appeal. Take this Extra Plat, reference C107. Dating from 1992, this piece is an undistilled expression of the talents of the man behind the brand and his achievements during his career rather than an exclusive embodiment of the complexities his namesake brand crafted.

Featuring an automatic calibre visible through a display caseback – a rare combination in itself –, this larger-sized Extra Plat is defined by its exterior. The hallmark of a Daniel Roth creation is its double ellipse 'Ellipsocurvex' case. Here, realised in 18-carat yellow gold and distinguished by a stepped rounded bezel, straight, sharp lugs, and an overall tonneau-esque shape. With a high polish finish throughout and its svelte profile, the consolidated and tasteful exterior is paired with a dial configuration and execution, exhibiting character in abundance.

Perfecting the nuance of simplicity is an art within itself, and with only three traits, this C107 demonstrates true mastery. There is nowhere to hide with a dial as concise, adding further weight to the fact its elements are remarkably defining. Acting as the canvas in which the remaining features contrast and accent is a hand-engraved vertical ligne guilloché. Touching every interior curve edge of its dial, this precise pin striping is stopped by the second defining characteristic of a Daniel Roth after the 'Ellipsocurvex' case, its brushed chapter ring. The satin silver ring is brushed with a dotted minute track around the periphery, just outside extremely traditional Roman numerals. Tying these two powerful facets together is the lance handset, complete in thermally blued steel. Delivering hours and minutes exclusively for an uncomplicated wearing experience, this pared-back and understated expression is one of the purest Daniel Roth models ever produced. Signed 'DANIEL ROTH' in an arching cartouch, this early piece is a seldom-seen reference made even rarer by the display caseback showing the automatic calibre.

The Movement

Powering this C107 is an automatic movement based on the Frederic Piguet Calibre 71. This compact movement measures just 2.4mm in thickness and is the primary reason this watch can achieve such slenderness. Signed Daniel Roth, this calibre is one of the thinnest on the market and is one Roth familiarised himself with from his time at Breguet. Featuring an off-centre ¾ rotor complete with guilloché decoration and Geneva striping for the bridges.

How It Wears

Carrying the compact coherent proportions of a rounded case, matched with the elegance of a rectangular one, the 'Ellipsocurvex' case from Daniel Roth in this size is a gorgeous wearer on the wrist, suitable for formal and casual cuffs alike. The piece is a prominent wearer at 38mm in length by 35mm in width, yet its lack of thickness makes it beautifully wearable. The refinement of its detailing is unmistakable. Tastefully encapsulating the man behind its name, this C107 Extra Plat isn't just beautiful on the wrist; its humble significance is reserved yet unmistakable.

Condition

This Daniel Roth C2107 Extra Plat dates from around 1992 and is offered with its original box, original strap, and the 18k yellow gold pin buckle. Presented in very good condition with only signs of hairline scratches, this piece is fitted with a Mr Watchley Madras leather strap.

Origin

Coming from a long line of watchmakers, Daniel Roth worked closely with the Chaumet brothers in the 1970s to sensitively return a noteworthy name, Breguet, to its pedestal. Roth was the mechanical key in extracting fundamental design cues from the Abraham-Louis Breguet era, including finely cut guilloché dials, brushed chapter rings, coin-edge mid cases, and the formidable tourbillon complication.

The unification of Roth's technical ability with his in-depth study ensured Breguet's resurgence was prosperous, as he helped shape the brand for fourteen years. With Roth seen as the keystone to the reincarnation of the tourbillon, he quickly became one of the world's leading authorities. Ultimately, though, the opportunity presented itself for Roth to use the expertise he'd honed for his own brand. In 1988, he did precisely that, and Daniel Roth, the watch brand, was conceived. Roth drew heavily on his influential time at Breguet, with familiar hallmarks extracted for Breguet appearing throughout his namesake models alongside a distinctive double-ellipse (the Ellipsocurvex) case form. Starting with a favourite complication of Roth, the tourbillon, Daniel Roth would produce many different models over the years, including chronographs, perpetual calendars, and skeletonised pieces. Nevertheless, the same care and attention were also paid to his more straightforward creations, with the Extra Plat, a time-only, svelte piece, being first released in 1991 before an automatic example arrived 12 months later. While Roth's signature work is built around the mastery of complications, the Extra Plat excels in its ability to dilute Roth's savoir-faire down to the core essentials.

In 2023, LVMH announced that Daniel Roth would be relaunching with aesthetics more closely aligned to the brand's origins under La Fabrique Du Temps. A 20-piece subscription for a tourbillon was announced and quickly snapped up by collectors before the newly formed brand,  cleverly including people who worked for Roth during the 1980s, went on to win the 'Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève' GPHG award within the 'Tourbillon' category.   

If you desire to take a closer look at this precious timepiece, don't hesitate to contact us and make an appointment. We are based in Ghent, Belgium.