Elysium
Roger Dubuis marks its 30th anniversary with Hommage La Placide, a deeply personal tribute that turns the original Hommage concept inward—this time honoring Mr. Roger Dubuis himself. Limited to 28 timepieces, the watch fuses original and newly remanufactured components, achieves Poinçon de Genève certification, and revives the Maison’s signature biretrograde display with a poetic, layered dial.
Hommage La Placide | Explore Roger Dubuis
Key Highlights (Why This Release Matters)
- Limited to 28: a numbered, collector-grade series for the brand’s 30th anniversary.
- RD1472 calibre: marries the RD14 base (2004) with the RD72 perpetual calendar module (1999) for a modern “revival” architecture.
- Poinçon de Genève: certified at the full-watch level (per 2012 criteria), underscoring meticulous assembly and movement setting.
- Biretrograde display: Mr. Dubuis’ favorite, rendered with multi-layer, high-craft dial work.
- In-house authenticity: original balance springs, pink-gold rotor, and 15 hand-finishing techniques.
Hommage, Reimagined: From Tribute to Self-Portrait
The first Hommage collection (1996) saluted the watchmakers and mentors who shaped Mr. Dubuis’ career. Three decades on, La Placide reframes that narrative as a tribute to the man himself, integrating his favored perpetual calendar with biretrograde indications and celebrating his lifelong passion for restoration. The “Placide” sobriquet—his scout nickname—captures his calm spirit and quiet authority.
This special edition also resonates with the recently introduced Excalibur Monobalancier Biretrograde Calendar, giving collectors two biretrograde pillars that bridge heritage and modern design.
The Engine: RD1472 (RD14 + RD72)
At the core is Calibre RD1472, a union of:
- RD14: the Maison’s first in-house automatic movement (debut 2004), refreshed and re-diagnosed one by one, featuring a swan-neck regulator and original in-house balance springs—symbols of true manufacture status. Gear-train axes were recalculated and repositioned to elevate performance.
- RD72: a perpetual calendar module (day, date, month, leap year, moonphase) with an elegant dual star-wheel logic (12-tooth + 48-tooth) enabling co-axial month/leap-year display. For this revival, the main plate, large bridge, and ~50% of parts (levers, springs, wheels, pinions) were remanufactured in-house.
Finissage & Construction
RD1472 comprises 307 components and showcases 15 traditional decorations—wheel- and tool-bevelling, rounding, circular graining, snailing, Geneva stripes, mirror, teeth & tip polishing, perlage, truing, internal/external drawing, frosting, and burnishing—capped by a new 18K pink-gold rotor.
Poinçon de Genève, Updated for Today
Since 2012, the Seal’s emphasis has shifted from calibre-only to complete timepiece criteria, placing high importance on movement setting and chronometric performance. Roger Dubuis calibrated RD1472 accordingly, aligning artisanal traditions with modern testing.
The Layered Dial: Five Acts of Depth
Biretrograde hands arc along broad-to-narrow semi-circular scales, snapping back to zero at each cycle—an iconic 1995 signature rendered anew. The dial builds visual drama through five layers:
- Flange: circular-brushed, rhodium-coated, with transferred numerals/minute track and polished angles.
- Calendar segments: mother-of-pearl with transferred text and hand-bevelled edges.
- Main plate: lacquered “Leman Blue” (Lake Geneva homage), applied hour markers, lunar month text.
- Counters: mother-of-pearl with broader circular brushing.
- Moonphase: blue aventurine disc with domed 18K yellow-gold moons.
Case, Wear, and Presence
- Material: 18K pink gold with exhibition back
- Diameter/Thickness: 38 mm / 11 mm—classically proportioned, modernly finished
- Water-Resistance: 3 bar (30 m)
- Strap: blue interchangeable leather (spring bars with spurs)
- Buckle: 18K pink-gold triple folding clasp
Together, the warm case metal and luminous blues deliver a refined, quietly opulent presence—apt for a piece named “La Placide.”
Technical Specifications
Movement: RD1472 automatic (pink-gold rotor), 4 Hz / 28,800 vph, 48h power reserve, 307 components, 33 jewels
Functions: Hours, minutes; perpetual calendar with biretrograde day/date/month; leap year; moonphase
Case: 18K pink gold, 38 mm × 11 mm, sapphire back, 3 bar
Dial: Five-layer architecture (flange, MOP calendar segments, lacquered Leman Blue main plate, MOP counters, aventurine moonphase)
Finishing: 15 traditional decorations; Poinçon de Genève certified
Strap/Buckle: Blue leather strap (quick-change); 18K pink-gold triple-folding buckle
A Note for Hommage Owners
As a gesture of gratitude, existing Hommage owners can visit any Roger Dubuis monobrand boutique to receive a complimentary Hommage strap for their original piece.
FAQ
What does “La Placide” mean?
It references Mr. Dubuis’ childhood scout nickname—Placide—reflecting his calm temperament and the measured wisdom that defined his craft.
Why is the display “biretrograde”?
Two indications sweep across semi-circular scales and jump back to zero at the end of each arc, delivering dynamic legibility and mechanical theatre—an early hallmark of the Maison.
How is this a “modern revival”?
It reintroduces the RD14 base with remanufactured elements, couples it to the historical RD72 perpetual calendar, and optimizes performance to meet today’s Poinçon de Genève standards.
Buying Considerations (Collector POV)
- Scarcity: 28 pieces—expect boutique-level allocation and serious waitlists.
- Provenance: Original in-house balance springs and the storied RD14 backbone boost long-term collectability.
- Craft: Finishing density (15 techniques) and Seal of Geneva tick both connoisseur and institutional-grade boxes.
Official Resources
- Discover the Maison: Roger Dubuis
- Product page: Hommage La Placide
