In the rarified world of independent watchmaking, names like Philippe Dufour, F.P. Journe, and Kari Voutilainen frequently dominate conversations. But within these hallowed circles of artisanal horology, there’s another name that resonates with quiet brilliance – Paul Gerber. An unsung hero of the craft, Gerber's intricate and groundbreaking timepieces have garnered accolades from collectors and earned him a place in the Guinness World Records for creating one of the most complicated wristwatches ever made.

In the mid‑1990s, Gerber launched his first wristwatch under his own name: the Retrograd ref. 150, powered by the cal. 15, a modified ETA/Peseux 7001 with a retrograde seconds display. Introduced in 1996 and shown in Basel the following year, it became his signature complication. The early references – ref. 150 in gold and ref. 151 in sterling silver – featured solid casebacks. Responding to collector demand for exhibition backs, Gerber unveiled the ref. 152 in 18K gold with a larger 35 mm case, such as the present example in white gold. The dial captivates with its refined leaf hands and Arabic numerals that fan out elegantly.

From record‑breaking clocks to the world’s most complicated wristwatch, and from his pioneering retrograde seconds to his ingenious twin‑rotor automatic, Paul Gerber’s career reflects a singular path of independent creativity, technical mastery, and quiet originality. The present Retrograd with its full set of accessories is a rare find in the auction market.