Daniel Roth wristwatches are instantaneously recognizable by their unique, elongated rectangular case design. Similar to other independent watchmakers of the late 20th century, his name today is known for horological excellence. Establishing his own firm in 1988, Daniel Roth was one of the earliest watchmakers to embark on his own, fully independent career, creating contemporary, complicated timepieces, now highly sought after for their design and mechanical innovation. He was born in to a family of watchmakers and spent his early childhood in the family workshop, and eventually attended a three year watchmaking course in Nice. His career spanned time at Jaeger-LeCoultre, Audemars Piguet and Breguet before creating his own atelier committed to traditional watchmaking with his early works highlighted by the famed watchmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet with metallic chapter rings, Roman numerals, and hand finished movements.

In the early 1990s, Daniel Roth sought to create a perpetual calendar wristwatch for his signature double-ellipse case. Roughly at the same time in 1992, legendary watchmaker Philippe Dufour announced his decision to become completely independent and create timepieces under his own name, the same year in which he introduced the highly impressive Grand Sonnerie at Baselworld. Residing just down the road from each other, it was inevitable for the two to work together and collaborate.

With the acceptance from Dufour, the two set out to create the Daniel Roth Perpetual Calendar ref. C117. The foundation of choice was the reliable and robust Lemania caliber 8810 which they used as a base with modifications made by Dufour to fit inside the unusual dimensions of the double-ellipse case. Described as hard work even for someone of his skill, the pair was not only developing a regular perpetual calendar but the world’s first instantaneous perpetual calendar where all components would change instantly once the hands passed midnight. Both Roth and Dufour quickly realized for that to happen, too much energy was required to achieve the feature and the day and month apertures had to be changed to subsidiary dials.

The present example in yellow gold is a rare, early variant with two apertures for the day and month. Although Roth and Dufour never achieved their goal of it being an instantaneous perpetual calendar, it is a great opportunity for collectors to acquire a Daniel Roth timepiece developed together with the respected Philippe Dufour.