Hommage Chronograph | H40 500 | White Gold

A rarely seen variant of the Hommage Chronograph H40, this example deviates slightly from other examples in the series with a monopusher placed at 2 o'clock and as it is fitted with the calibre RD 50, instead of the typical RD 56. It is also believed that only 19 of these watches were produced instead of the usual 28 as seen across Roger Dubuis' other series. In all other respects, the watch stays true to the aesthetic principles that Dubuis set out at the beginning of his brand, combining both modern yet traditional design cues.

The history of Roger Dubuis is rich and complex, as Dubuis started his career in the 1950s working for Longines, before moving on to Patek Philippe’s complications department, before breaking away to start his own workshop in the ‘80s. Later on, in 1995, Dubuis would launch his eponymous brand with the help of businessman Carlos Dias. Roger Dubuis mainly produced Hommage Chronographs in three different sizes: 34, 37 and 40mm. While it is commonly understood that each variant of the Hommage series was limited to 28 pieces, evidence suggests that variants of the H40 with the monopusher at 2 o'clock, such as in this instance, were limited to just 19 examples, rather than the standard 28. This variant appeared in rose gold, white gold, and palladium.

The design of the watch is that of a two-register chronograph, white a crisp white dial and applied Arabic numerals. The 12 and 6 o’clock markers are applied Arabic numerals, while the other hours are denoted by applied index markers. The sub-dials are very slightly recessed, adding further depth to the watch face. Meanwhile, the feuille-style hour and minute hands are rendered in white gold, with a blued seconds hand giving a touch of colour to the otherwise monochromatic dial. 

The case is very distinct with its polished, stepped concave bezel and polished lugs. The three-piece construction gives the watch a bold presence on the wrist, measuring 40mm in diameter. The combination of white metal with a light coloured dial help make this watch perhaps one of the more contemporary versions of the H40, demonstrating that Dubuis was attuned to modern tastes.

As opposed to the RD 56, which is more usually found within other Hommage Chronographs, this variant integrates a slightly different calibre, the RD 50, which appears to share the same movement architecture as found within the Omega Calibre 33.3.

 

Closer look

Brand:	Roger Dubuis
Model:	Hommage ref. H40 500
Movement:	manual-winding calibre RD 50
Functions:	monopusher chronograph, hours, minutes, sub-seconds
Features:	chronometer, display back, tachymeter scale, blue steel hands
Case material:	white gold
Case diameter:	40mm
Crystal:	sapphire front & back
Strap:	La Rochelle navy grained leather strap from our own collection, Roger Dubuis orange alligator strap, Roger Dubuis white gold deployant buckle, Roger Dubuis tang buckle
Lug Width:	21 x 16mm
Year:	1999 (sold)
Box & papers:	outer box, inner wooden box, leather folder, additional caseback, hangtag, original seal, certificate of origin and guarantee, certificate of origin, warranty booklet, Observatoire National de Besançon certificate, Observatoire National de Besançon approval certificate

Condition

This Roger Dubuis Hommage H40 is in very good condition overall. The case and lugs show light signs of wear, most notably a surface blemish on the brushed mid case at the 8 o'clock position. The hallmarks and engravings on the reverse of the lugs are well defined.

Warranty

The watch comes with a two-year, limited warranty from A Collected Man, alongside a lifetime guarantee of authenticity.