Roger Dubuis Excaliber Quatuor
Yesterday at one of New York’s top restaurants, La Grenouille, we had the pleasure of meeting with Jean-Marc Pontroue, CEO of Roger Dubuis international, along with Gianfranco D’Attis, President of Roger Dubuis North America t. We also got up close and personal with some of the newest watches, got a sneak peek at the upcoming SIHH products (unfortunately still under wraps at this point in time) and heard from Pontroue about the brand’s 2014 direction. We share some of his insights here.
Roger Dubuis CEO, Jean-Marc Pontroue
Naturally, Dubuis will continue to focus on mechanical timepieces only – always bringing new innovation to the forefront. According to Pontroue, the brand also expects to raise its current 20 percent of business in the women’s market to higher levels. “We see a new interest in women’s high-jeweled mechanical timepieces, and we hope to be able to take this to new heights that may eventually lead us back to the ability to offer jewelry.” Pontroue refers, of course, to the early years of Roger Dubuis, when the brand first launched not only with watches, but also with a superbly defiant-looking jewelry collection. Naturally, for the brand to comply with its creed of being 100 percent Poincoin de Genève standards, all diamond setting is done by an exclusive atelier in Geneva.
Another anticipated highlight of 2014 is expected to lie in the Hommage collection. This double retrograde series was the first watch launched by Roger Dubuis in 1995 and paying tribute therein makes full sense. However, says Pontroue, “We do not stand for classical watchmaking, so true to our DNA, we will recreate a classic piece with a Roger Dubuis twist.”
The Roger Dubuis Velvet collection for women has become a prime seller for the brand.
Skeleton watches, another strong category for Roger Dubuis, may also enjoy some newness. “The brand has seen a real interest in skeleton timepieces and we will see more of this as we move forward,” said Pontroue. “But our skeleton watches will not be traditional; they will utilize the distinctive Roger Dubuis architecture. We will continue to be a very different brand – one people either love or hate.”
As to the other novelties for 2014 – you will love them. Gearing up to offer superb mechanical timepieces for both men and women (in the brand’s well-accepted Velvet line), Roger Dubuis brings a stunning blend of past and present in the new collection – with a visionary eye to the future. Unfortunately we are under strict embargoes, so come back in January when we will be able to release a few winners.
