Roger Dubuis Hommage Placide Perpetual Calendar Biretrograde Watch: A Nostalgic Masterpiece

Roger Dubuis has brought back an iconic design from its early days, showcasing its unique charisma in the Hommage Placide Perpetual Calendar Biretrograde watch. This timepiece, named after the founder Roger Dubuis's childhood nickname “La Placide” (meaning calm strength and quiet wisdom), perfectly merges a nostalgic design with complex horological features. It highlights how a brand can honor its heritage while pushing the boundaries of watchmaking. The watch is a limited edition of just 28 pieces, priced at €115,000, underscoring its exclusivity and the exceptional craftsmanship involved.

Details of the Roger Dubuis Hommage Placide Perpetual Calendar Biretrograde Watch

Unveiled on January 15, 2026, the Roger Dubuis Hommage Placide Perpetual Calendar Biretrograde watch marks a significant return to the brand's original design ethos from 1995. This 38mm masterpiece, crafted with meticulous attention to detail, boasts a captivating, multi-layered blue dial. The dial's periphery features a satin-brushed and rhodium-plated flange ring with a detailed railroad track pattern, accented with a subtle dash of red, emphasizing precise timekeeping. The base of the dial is a thick-lacquered blue, creating a profound sense of depth that makes the applied elements appear as if they are floating. Indicators are framed with golden, hand-beveled chamfers, enclosing mother-of-pearl plates with transferred texts. Notably, the moon phase display incorporates two solid 18k yellow gold discs, adding a luxurious touch. Despite its compact size, the watch achieves remarkable legibility through smart design choices, employing contrasting colors, shapes, and highly polished, often faceted hands to ensure vital information stands out. The numerals on the date arch are thoughtfully designed to maximize readability while maintaining aesthetic balance. Powering this exquisite timepiece is the RD1472 manufacture movement, a testament to haute horlogerie. This Geneva Seal-approved movement integrates the RD14 caliber with the RD72 module, a design stemming from a 1989 patent co-developed by Roger Dubuis himself and Jean-Marc Wiederrecht. Comprising 307 components, the movement showcases approximately 15 traditional finishing techniques, reflecting an unparalleled commitment to watchmaking excellence. The 38mm case, with its distinctively long lugs, ensures a prominent and elegant presence on the wrist.

This watch is a vivid reminder of the enduring appeal of 1990s watch design, characterized by its ability to deliver a powerful aesthetic in a smaller, more refined package. It challenges the contemporary trend of oversized timepieces, proving that true luxury lies in thoughtful design, intricate complications, and exceptional craftsmanship, rather than ostentatious displays. For enthusiasts and collectors, the Hommage Placide is not merely a device for telling time; it is a wearable piece of art that embodies calm strength and quiet wisdom, echoing the founder's personal philosophy.