Roger Dubuis Hommage Condottieri - NOS/Unworn - Full set

The Watch

Early Roger Dubuis pieces are highly regarded amongst collectors for their build, design considerations, and execution, and the Hommage The Roger Dubuis Condottieri is a time-only fan favourite with a twist. One of just 28 pieces produced and dating from 1996, this rare piece remains in new old stock condition and represents a simpler time for the brand, with Dubuis at the helm providing an opportunity to fuse his watchmaking savoir-faire with his love for tradition.

Rendered in 18k rose gold, the appropriately proportioned case is extremely classically designed, with numerous nods to models from Dubuis' past. At 40mm, this Condottieri may sound large, but its size is to house a highly reworked 1940s pocket watch movement which achieved Geneva Seal specification. Nevertheless, the case of the piece is incredibly classic with a sense of balance and is paired with a prominent crown. 

The dial of this Hommage is one of its most striking visual features, as a beautifully crisp white enamel dial is complemented with very traditional features. Most notable, due to its play on contrast, are the large black Roman numerals that sit just inside of a railroad track around the periphery of the dial. It's all a very classic affair, with printed diamonds sitting at the cardinal points on the railroad track. The hour and minute hands are executed in a heat-blued feuille shape. In contrast, the second hand, which resides within the subsidiary register at six, is almost cathedral-style in its rendering. While on the surface, this is an unassuming example of luxury, the  "Bulletin D'Observatoire" typography above the subsidiary register hints that there's more to this Condottieri than meets the eye.

The Movement

Seen through the display case back is the calibre RD27. As alluded to earlier, this calibre started life as a 1940s pocket watch movement from Tavannes (the 507), with Dubuis taking a new old stock movement and completely reworking and refinishing it to feature anglage, polished screws, and Geneva striping. He also added a Breguet spiral and a swan-neck regulator, which all amount to the calibre being certified for its performance at the Observatoire National de Besançon.

How It Wears

While its 40mm width may sound daunting, with a thickness of just 9mm, the Condottieri has wearability in its corner. Bettered further by a mix of case finishes and the timelessness of its design, it's a watch that suits regular wear over exclusively formal attire. With its rosy case beautifully contrasted by the starkness of its white dial, this Condottieri is a special piece from a time when Roger Dubuis was making his initial steps into independence.

Condition

This Hommage Condottieri is presented in excellent, new old stock condition. Dating from 1996, the watch has never been polished and is complete with its original strap, buckle, inner box, outer box, paperwork, folder, and hang tag.

Origin

Roger Dubuis was a Swiss-born specialist watchmaker who spent nine years working at Longines during the 1950s repairing chronographs. He then spent two decades at Patek Philippe working on complicated timepieces. His illustrious career working at two giants of the Swiss watch industry cemented his impact on watchmaking during the 20th century. During the 1990s, Dubuis met with a gentleman called Carlos Dias. Dias was a businessman and a watch designer, suggesting it was only a matter of time before the expertise of both talents were combined to create a watch brand. In 1995, Roger Dubuis, the brand, was launched with two watch models: The Hommage and the Sympathie.

Naturally, these early Roger Dubuis watches were inspired by historical models from ateliers such as Patek Philippe and Longines, always to pay tribute to their beauty respectfully. Similarities to Patek didn't start and end with their designs, though, as Dubuis' watches also received the Geneva Seal. This became a big focus for the brand with each model produced. In fact, to this day, Roger Dubuis is the only manufacturer who can say 100% of their production watches that have ever left their workshop have received a Geneva Seal.

Despite its name, it is a collection that carries a quantifiable number of unique features that make it more than a direct copy of any Patek or Longines. Over the years, the Hommage was produced in various different iterations despite only making  28 pieces of every model released during the early days. As such, it's extremely rare to find early pieces available for sale on the open market.

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.