News On October 13th 2017, Roger Dubuis, founder of the eponymous company, passed away at the age of 79.
Growing up in Corsier-sur-Vevey, Roger rubbed shoulders with the world of craftsmanship from a very young age. One day, while he was helping the village cobbler, the latter took him to the top of the church bell tower. Something clicked as he climbed past the mechanism of the giant clock, and the youngster was fascinated by the beauty of this combination of simplicity and complexity.
Roger Dubuis’ education included the Geneva Watchmaking School where he learned the basics of his future profession. A stint in an after-sales service department gave him great self-assurance in the practice of the trade. His knowledge was subsequently completed by 14 years spent working for a great Geneva-based watch manufacturer, during which he contributed to the production of complicated movements such as perpetual calendars and chronographs – including split-second ones – as well as minute repeaters. On May 19th 1995, he created his own company bearing his name.
Right from the start, the goal was to create high-quality products. Perpetuating noble traditions while infusing them with innovative were the keynotes of the creative momentum that gave rise to the new Roger Dubuis timepieces, all bearing the “Poinçon de Genève” quality hallmark. Proud to have always been part of the grand Geneva watchmaking tradition, Roger Dubuis launched the Hommage collection, in gratitude to all the masters who had trained him and guided him along the path of fine workmanship. The Sympathie and MuchMore collections followed, composed of futuristic timepieces representing pioneering work in the field of watch design at the time. In 2014, the Hommage line returned to the forefront, including with a model dedicated to the creator of the Manufacture.
Right to the end, Roger Dubuis represented the living memory of the Maison, which had meanwhile been acquired by the Richemont Group in 2008.
October 26, 2017
