The Sideways Calendar: A Rare Biretrograde Perpetual In Rose Gold

I. The Unusual Angle

The wrist shot is deliberately different. The Roger Dubuis Hommage La Placide is not resting flat on a table, dial to the sky. It is on its side, crown up, as if listening. The profile reveals the stepped case, the recessed pushers, and the sapphire crystal that shows off the movement. This is not a watch for glancing. It is a watch for studying. And to study, you must tilt it, hold it, and wait.

Roger Dubuis is known for its futuristic, skeletonized designs and its flamboyant use of color. The Hommage line is different. It is the brand's tribute to traditional watchmaking, with classic proportions and high complications. The La Placide is a limited edition of 28 pieces, named after Placide, the wife of Roger Dubuis. It is a biretrograde perpetual calendar: the day of the week and the date are indicated by retrograde hands that jump back to the start at the end of each cycle. The month is shown in a window, and the leap year is indicated at 12 o'clock.

This essay is a hands-on exploration of the Hommage La Placide. We will look at the design, the movement, and the wearing experience. We will also consider opposing views, because a perpetual calendar is not for everyone, and we will leave you with a few questions about the value of high-end complications.

II. The La Placide: A Perpetual Calendar In Rose Gold

The Hommage La Placide is a watch of superlatives. The case is 40mm, made of 18k rose gold, with a polished bezel and a brushed caseband. The crown is fluted and signed. The lugs are curved and elegant. The dial is a silver opaline, with a guilloché center and a small seconds subdial at 6 o'clock. The retrograde hands are blued steel, and the month window is at 4 o'clock. The movement is the caliber RD 205, a manual-wind perpetual calendar with a 48-hour power reserve.

The retrograde displays are the star. The date hand sweeps across a 180-degree arc from 9 to 3, then jumps back to 9 at the end of the month. The day hand does the same on the left side of the dial. The effect is mesmerizing: the hands move smoothly, then snap back with a satisfying click. The perpetual calendar is programmed until 2100, and it requires no adjustment for leap years.

The overall impression is one of understated complexity. The watch is not loud; it is discreet. The rose gold case is warm, but the silver dial keeps it from being flashy. This is a watch for a collector who knows what it is, not for someone who needs to show off.

III. Three Honest Oppositions: Why The La Placide Is Not For Everyone

For every collector who admires the La Placide, there is another who finds it impractical. Here are three reasonable objections.

Opposition One: "The Retrograde Displays Are Hard To Read"

The first objection is about legibility. The retrograde hands sweep across arcs, but the markings are small. The date arc is marked 1-31, but the numerals are tiny. The day arc is even smaller. For a watch that is meant to be read at a glance, the La Placide fails. You have to stare at it to decipher the date.

The counter-argument is that the La Placide is not meant for quick glances. It is a watch for connoisseurs who enjoy the ritual of reading a complex dial. And the retrograde display is a visual delight. The suspense is whether the novelty will wear off.

Opposition Two: "The Perpetual Calendar Is Pointless"

The second objection is about the complication. A perpetual calendar is a marvel of engineering, but it is also useless for most people. You still have to wind the watch every two days. The calendar corrects for leap years, but you will never own the watch long enough to see it fail. The complexity adds cost and thickness without adding utility.

The counter-argument is that a perpetual calendar is a celebration of watchmaking. It is not meant to be useful; it is meant to be admired. And the La Placide's retrograde implementation is unique. The suspense is whether collectors will appreciate the art or see it as a waste.

Opposition Three: "The Price Is Astronomical"

The third objection is financial. The Hommage La Placide costs as much as a luxury car. For that price, you could buy a Patek Philippe or an Audemars Piguet. Roger Dubuis is a respected brand, but it does not have the same resale value or brand recognition as the Swiss giants. Critics argue that the price is pure artifice.

The counter-argument is that Roger Dubuis is a manufacture of the highest order. The finishing is comparable to Patek, the design is unique, and the production numbers are tiny. You are paying for exclusivity and craftsmanship, not for a brand name. The suspense is whether the secondary market will reward that exclusivity or punish the lack of brand cachet.

IV. The Unseen Supply Chain: From Titanium To OEM Makers To Rose Gold

Roger Dubuis is a Swiss brand, part of the Richemont group. The watches are manufactured in Geneva, in facilities that also produce components for other Richemont brands. The case of the La Placide is rose gold, but the brand also produces Custom Titanium Watches for other collections. Titanium is lighter and more durable than gold, but it lacks the warmth.

The concept of OEM Watch Manufacturers is more relevant for affordable watches. An OEM factory produces components for multiple brands, allowing smaller companies to benefit from economies of scale. But for Roger Dubuis, the value is in vertical integration. The movement is made in-house, the case is made in-house, and the assembly is done in-house.

And at the other end of the spectrum are Custom Rose Gold Watches that can be ordered from specialized ateliers. A custom rose gold watch would be unique, but it would also cost a fortune. The La Placide is a limited edition, but it is not customizable. The supply chain for custom watches is as varied as the makers themselves.

V. The Unanswered Questions: Is The La Placide A Future Classic?

After studying the sideways image and considering the objections, I am left with three questions that every collector must answer for themselves.

**First:** Do you like the retrograde display? Some find it charming; others find it gimmicky. If you are unsure, try to see one in person.

**Second:** Is the 40mm case wearable for you? The La Placide is not huge, but it is thick. If you have a small wrist, try it on before buying.

**Third:** And most personally—would you pay the price for a Roger Dubuis? I would, because the brand is underrated. But I understand the hesitation. The suspense is whether the La Placide will hold its value.

VI. The Sideways Verdict

We began with a watch on its side, crown up, as if listening. We have examined the Roger Dubuis Hommage La Placide, listened to three objections, traced the supply chain of titanium, OEM manufacturers, and rose gold customs, and left three questions unanswered.

The Roger Dubuis Hommage La Placide is not a watch for everyone. It is not for the collector who needs a quick, legible date display. It is not for the person who finds perpetual calendars pointless. But it is for anyone who appreciates the art of watchmaking, the beauty of a retrograde display, and the exclusivity of a limited edition.

The La Placide is a limited edition of 28 pieces. It will not be around forever. If it speaks to you, do not hesitate. If it does not, wait for the next complication. The suspense is whether the retrograde display will become a signature of the brand or a one-off experiment. Only time will tell.