Roger Dubuis Hommage Chronograph H34 566, Palladium

It is understood that for each variant in the series, there were no more than 28 made. Each was chronometer-graded, with a certificate from the Besançon Observatory. One of the earlier pieces created by the legendary watchmaker, after establishing his own brand in 1995, examples such as this H34 are becoming increasingly collectible.

This watch is one of only a handful of early Roger Dubuis pieces which were kept by the former authorised retailer Presmanes, Santander, as part of the jeweller's first delivery in 1996. They never publicly sold and kept unworn from new. This H37 566 therefore offers a unique insight, owing to its overall condition, completeness and early production.

The design is that of a two-register chronograph, with a textured, off-white sector dial, with outer minute track. The polished surfaces, dark sector and subsidiary dials form an excellent contrast against the silvered finish, framed within a slightly domed sapphire glass. The feuilles hands are white-gold, while the chronograph hand is blued.

The case is very distinct with its polished, stepped concave bezel and polished lugs. It’s also made of palladium - a rare white metal which resembles platinum, yet is considerably lighter, harder and more resistant to scratches. The three-piece construction gives the watch a bold presence on the wrist, measuring 34mm in diameter.

Powered by the Cal. RD 56 (based on the Lemania 2310 - much like the Patek Philippe 5070), the watch bears the Seal of Geneva and was regulated by Roger Dubuis himself. The complexity of the movement is revealed through an engraved sapphire case-back, featuring a 21 jewel, straight-line lever escapement, a monometallic balance adjusted to 5 positions, a self-compensating Breguet spring and swan-neck micrometer regulator.

Viewings can be arranged in Central London by appointment.

Closer look

Brand:	Roger Dubuis
Model:	Hommage Chronograph Ref. H34 566
Movement:	mechanical manual-winding Cal. RD56
Functions:	chronograph, hours, minutes, sub-seconds
Features:	display back, sector dial, early deployant clasp
Case:	34 mm 950 palladium
Crystal:	sapphire front and back
Strap:	bespoke Zürich grained taupe strap, palladium Roger Dubuis Calatrava deployant clasp
Year:	1996
Box & papers:	original boxes, papers, chronometer certificate, solid caseback, hangtags