Genetically in the forefront
One family.
Four generations.
Over a century of watchmaking tradition.
Watchmaking in the genes
For four generations, the family of Pierre Dubois, founder and CEO of Pierre DeRoche, has passionately cultivated the science of calculating time, a savoir-faire initiated in 1901 by his great-grandfather Marcel Dépraz, founder of Dubois Dépraz. He was succeeded by Reynold his son-in-law, Gérald his grandson, then his great grandchildren Jean-Philippe and Pascal, Pierre Dubois’ brothers. A heritage transmitted and developed from generation to generation, and marked by over fifty patents registered in 100 years. Not only a family of dedicated watchmakers, but real trailblazers.
1st generation
Marcel Dépraz (1874-1946), known as Big Marcel
Marcel Dépraz, the family’s great grandfather, was extremely talented. He had already shown his innate gift for making watch complications by the time he became a shop foreman at the age of 25. With considerable courage and ingenuity, he founded what has become Dubois Dépraz, a specialist in the manufacture and assembling of all kinds of movements. Teeming with ideas and highly inventive, he kept track of all his ideas in his little notebook. Among his best pieces were repeater watches and chronographs. A pragmatic man, he stopped doing “dummy assemblage” in 1907 and went directly to manufacturing chronographs in series. Very much the unconventional middle-class person, he loved his native village, Le Lieu, its lake, walks and local specialities. More than the place of his birth, it was a way of life for him.
1925 | Quarter repeater
The snail – the strike control element in repeater mechanisms and a speciality of Marcel Dépraz in his early days – used to be cut out by hand. In tribute to the origins of the family company, this four-pointed star in the centre of the mechanism now appears in the Pierre DeRoche logo.
1937 | Chronograph 13 3/4, Calibre 48
Marcel Dépraz sparked a mini-revolution in the chronograph field by replacing the classic column wheel by a cam system that is less complex and thus less expensive to implement. This mechanism, steadily improved by Reynold and Gérald Dubois, was produced until 1970 in a total run of more than 3.5 million.
2nd generation
Reynold Dubois (1901-1977), son-in-law of Marcel Dépraz
With a watch diploma in his pocket and several years of experience in Switzerland and abroad behind him, Reynold Dubois returned to Le Lieu in 1937 to assist his father-in-law in manufacturing and assembling watches, a position he held until his retirement in 1975.
A keen musician, he had a gift for making watch complications and excelled at the violoncello as well as a whole host of other instruments. It was under his baton that the factory expanded and was conducted along more productive and rational lines. His sociable character and readiness to listen to others brought him close to his fellow citizens, to whom he happily gave lifts in his car, one of the first in Le Lieu. He was devoted to his work, to music and to people and succeeded in harmonising these three overriding interests in his life.
1948 | Chronograph Calibre 74
A high-end column-wheel chronograph movement designed by Reynold Dubois, Calibre 74 symbolises the dynamism and creativity of the Swiss watch industry in the postwar period. Equipped with an original pusher and bolt activation device, it is distinguished by an instant date calendar – a rare feature in an era when the date transition generally took almost an hour.
3rd generation
Gérald Dubois (1928- ) dit Dr. Es Chrono
1969 | Chronomatic Calibre 11 – 12
Chronomatic Calibre 11 – 12 developed by Gérald Dubois was the first chronograph mechanism to be fitted on a self-winding movement. Another novel feature lies in its modular design that facilitates its insertion as well as testing and dismantling. 350,000 examples of this world-first innovation were produced for the most prestigious brands.
1983 | Chronograph 2000
Gérald Dubois gave a new boost to the mechanical chronograph with this calibre that can be fitted on either quartz or mechanical self-winding watches by means of a special clutch. This module mounted on the dial side enables direct display of all the hands and requires no corrections or adjustments once assembled with the movement.
4th generation
Three brothers, innovative ideas
More than a brand, Pierre DeRoche is all about a family spirit, that of the Dubois and the Dépraz families, living since the 1500’s in Le Lieu, a small village in the Joux Valley, in the heart of Switzerland’s watchmaking region. Today, it is through the Pierre DeRoche brand that Pierre Dubois and his two brothers Jean-Philippe and Pascal explore the boldest ideas and create technically sophisticated and exclusive timepieces, following in their predecessors’ footsteps.
2003 | Concentric chronograph
The world’s only chronograph displaying the seconds, minutes and hours on a single counter, the concentric chronograph was developed by Pierre Dubois and his brothers Jean-Philippe and Pascal. The driving force behind the SplitRock Collection by Pierre DeRoche, this movement enables fast and intuitive read-off of the measured times.
2009 | TNT Royal Retro
The first calibre able to house six retrograde seconds mechanisms, this complication testifies to an entirely original approach: the six retrograde hands are driven by gears instead of cams; and they are returned to the original position by a strip-spring rather than a classic balance-spring system. A mini-revolution from the three Dubois brothers!
Today’s generation
Pierre and Carole, an adventure for two
Constantly drawing upon their roots while relying on cutting-edge technical expertise, Pierre and Carole Dubois daily strive to develop Pierre DeRoche. He is by nature passionately dedicated, altruistic and protective, while she is determined, vivacious and well organised. Partners in life and in business, they enjoy perfect chemistry, and it is as a team that they are definitively establishing the brand identity and setting their signature on their horological masterpieces.
While watchmaking is in Pierre’s blood, Carole caught the virus at a later stage. An immersion in the world of the Dubois family and a naturally entrepreneurial spirit drew this strong-minded woman into the watchmaking field. She breathes a sense of femininity and enthusiasm into the brand. Today more than ever, the DNA of Pierre DeRoche is defined by family origins, a spirit of independence, but above all by the harmony radiating from each of their creations.
4 collections
TNT
These dial-less timekeepers reveal the virtuosity of the Joux Valley watchmakers: bridges, gear-trains and rotors form the power centre of these watches with their nerves of steel.
GrandCliff
Retrograde functions, flyback chronograph, annual calendar, large date, power reserve, GMT, countdown: the GrandCliff Collection reveals a wealth of perfectly mastered complications in harmony with the traditions of the Joux Valley master-watchmakers. The GrandCliff variations are the epitome of contemporary watchmaking and feature cases distinguished by their complex architecture, along with innovative dial displays.
SplitRock
A unique chronograph displaying seconds, minutes and hours in one single counter, the SplitRock offers a rapid and intuitive reading of the measured times. A strong rectangular case, finely worked dials and noble materials are the hallmarks of this collection.
ShinyPebbles
In its ladies’ collection, Pierre DeRoche captures nature’s magic in meticulously-worked settings. Shimmering colours, sparkling reflections and refined elegance come together on the wrists of women seeking the ultimate in perfection.