Comments:
A fantastic (and highly collectible) Hommage Monopoussoir in red gold with a black dial and a 'salmonish' print:
The egg-shell like dial surface further enhances the nostalgic touch:
On the back - oh dear! A clockwork to die for! The rare Cal. 65 monopusher which was made in homeopathic quantities between 1995 and 2000. It was only fitted in the very first generation of the Hommage collection.
So I was meandering through Vienna - and discovered a real RD treasure of the past!
During my frequent walks through my town I of course inspect the windows of the usual watch retailers and brand boutiques, but I also pass by the vintage watch shops.. A few days ago I nearly fainted. Here is the reason:
A fantastic (and highly collectible) Hommage Monopoussoir in red gold with a black dial and a 'salmonish' print:
The egg-shell like dial surface further enhances the nostalgic touch:
On the back - oh dear! A clockwork to die for! The rare Cal. 65 monopusher which was made in homeopathic quantities between 1995 and 2000. It was only fitted in the very first generation of the Hommage collection.
The pusher feel is much better than on many modern monopusher chronographs. It has more resistance than a dualpusher (due to the fact that the column wheel has less columns, hence each push had to turn the wheel by a greater angle than with a dualpusher) but it is not disturbing.
I also really love the elaborate panoply of the case back.
Of course I had to do what all connoisseurs have to, i.e. strap it on my wrist.
Do I have to say anything?
So, did I fall for it? Not (yet). The asking price was quite self-confident and - very crucial for me - the original papers and the box are missing. While the watch looks almost unused the lack of the papers is a significant drawback (if not a deal breaker) in my view: Would you like to own a RD without the Geneva Seal certificate and the timing certificate of "l’observatoire ``astronomique, chronométrique et météorologique’’ de Besançon"?
I also really love the elaborate panoply of the case back.
Of course I had to do what all connoisseurs have to, i.e. strap it on my wrist.
Do I have to say anything?
So, did I fall for it? Not (yet). The asking price was quite self-confident and - very crucial for me - the original papers and the box are missing. While the watch looks almost unused the lack of the papers is a significant drawback (if not a deal breaker) in my view: Would you like to own a RD without the Geneva Seal certificate and the timing certificate of "l’observatoire ``astronomique, chronométrique et météorologique’’ de Besançon"?
Thanks for reading and have a great weekend,
Magnus
I instaneously thought about this watch when I was reading your post
The Montblanc Pulsomgraphe. Many similarities: the case, the concave bezel, the dial writings, the Arabic numerals style, the hour and minute hands, the kind of chrono ...
Thanks for the discovery, it's the kind of watch and dial layout I like quite much. If you add the monopusher chronograph and the movement I fully understand your feeling.
Thanks for sharing the pictures of this unexpected encounter Magnus.
Cheers,
Mark
No doubt, a great timepiece!
The answer to your final question is "yes". A great watch is great regardless, even if its certificates have been lost to history. The Gen 1 RD Hommage Chronographs are gems and the monopusher models are a rare subset. The recessed subdials and the leaf-shaped (? not sure what this type of hand is called...) hands are just as important as the beautiful movement.
However, if the papers cannot be replaced, the watch is less collectible and the price should reflect this in the end. If the watch hasn't been serviced recently, that must also be reflected in the price.
Hi Magnus, what a beautiful chronograph this is.....
I have loved this watch from the first time I saw it in picture about 7 years ago, I am still looking for one in white metal. To me frankly I don't understand all that fuss about papers etc. The watch exists, it is beautiful, the mouvement is to die for so too the dial and hands, is is very coherent. The rest is, to me at least very secondary, as a watch "collector" I collect watches and not papers. All that said, the price has to be right of course.
Cheers. Francois
Fantastic piece of former era....
.. and I prefer very much these wound shape Roger. I, myself, have been looking for the old Roger with round shape, enamel dial Hommage...
Thanks for reminding us of the old time...
HAGWE!
Ken
Thanks for reminding us of the old time...
HAGWE!
Ken
That is not just any rounded RD
As I am sure you know... You surely know that your chances are very low. Out of the less than 2 dozens of pieces in total, I doubt that any will be accidentally be put on sale.
R
This message has been edited by radone on 2013-03-01 20:47:25
Yes, I do....
... I am asking Santa every night..... 
Never give up! I have several others on my "List"!
Ken
Never give up! I have several others on my "List"!Ken
I know it for 4 years already!
Because I also love it and I have the WG version also, I tried several times to cut a deal with the owner of the shop but he really seems to consciously overprice it. I gave all the arguments for a "friendlier" price and I got no results:
This message has been edited by radone on 2013-03-01 20:32:45
- recent auction results
- fact that it needs an overhaul of the movement, I doubt that any has been performed, it sits in this shop for at least 4 years
- no papers
- extra long strap that obviously need to be changed by any regular guy
- etc
My last offer, a swap against my PP 5109 R (complete)+2000 euro has beed declined. I attached a picure of mine, very similar but not exact. The "leaf" hands of mine are perforated.
This message has been edited by radone on 2013-03-01 20:32:45
It is great window dressing!
In the end, maybe the owner likes it in the showcase window to draw in curious collectors. Every time I walk by a shop with such a piece, I know I would need to investigate further.
Such a magnificent piece has valuable drawing power to purists, above and beyond most watches with similar market value. The owner is factoring the loss of this into the selling price. Could this be a rational reason?
Every watch..
on this thread is the best from RD IMO and each one is special. I would so like to get my hands on any one of them. It could be a very long wait though.
I somewhat agree about having the papers in this case, as they are not your usual mass printed versions. As these are only 28pcs. hommage LEs, the full set with the handwritten notes are worthy of a premium.
cheers
fernando
No doubt it's a FIND!
I love them so much that I actually considered collecting the monopusher chrono in different case shape/size!
I'm getting to be...
Really fond of manual winding chronograph...
From vintage daytonas, vintage heuers, and some modern ones, just something like this...
I really enjoyed these watches in this post
Best,
Sam
I agree unconditionally...
and I would add that I consider the case back as one of the industry's finest. It has so much life in it despite being (just) a device to seal the movement...
Magnus
What a Great fine Magnus
I love the watches of this era by Roger Dubuis..
And especially a monopusher one, must be really special
Thank you for sharing
Have a great weekend
Sam