To celebrate its 30th anniversary, Roger Dubuis has wrapped up the La Placide trilogy with the HommageSerene Night Sukoon Al-Layl timepiece. This one-of-a-kind creation made its debut at the Dubai Watch Week, drawing design inspiration from the serene atmosphere of the desert night while paying homage to the brand’s founder, Mr. Roger Dubuis, known for his past mastery of astronomical complications. The name is derived from the Arabic words Sukoon (calm) and Al-Layl (night), reflecting the gentle and tranquil side of this master watchmaker’s character.
This watch features a 38mm platinum case with a thickness of 11mm, complemented by a fully platinum bezel, case back, and crown. The accompanying starry blue calfskin strap is intricately stitched with platinum thread, and even the buckle is crafted from platinum, engraved with the brand’s original logo. The dial is constructed from five layers, showcasing an evolution of Roger Dubuis’s early creative style. The edges are made from high-polished mother-of-pearl, embedded with polished metal dot hour markers, while the date display area also features mother-of-pearl, framed with handcrafted bevelled edges.
The main dial is adorned with a wavy guilloché pattern, inspired by the brand’s early designs, mimicking the natural textures formed by wind on sand dunes. The dial features a deep blue lacquer finish that shifts in visual depth with changes in light. The time indicators are represented by hour and minute hands crafted from 18K white gold, while the retrograde function employs lacquered brass hands to reduce inertia and enhance the stability of the jumping return. The face is complemented by four Arabic numeral hour markers, reflecting the design’s connection to Middle Eastern cultural influences.
The lower layer features a moon phase display set against a background of blue sand gold stone, with two 18K yellow gold micro-arc shaped moons embedded within it. This is the only element of gold present in the entire watch, paying homage to the brand’s early perpetual calendar pieces. The overall materials and craftsmanship are layered to create a rhythmic and deep three-dimensional visual effect on the dial, maintaining the brand’s consistent language that blends complex functionality with dramatic aesthetics.
When it comes to the movement, the HommageA Tranquil Night is equipped with the RD1472 automatic movement, which has received the Genevan Seal certification, representing the brand’s common standard for each of its pieces. This movement combines the RD14 base developed by Roger Dubuis in 2004 with the RD72 dual retrograde perpetual calendar module that debuted in 1999. During this remake, the RD14 underwent structural adjustments, including recalibrating the gear axis position to optimize power transmission efficiency and gear engagement angles. The design of the bridges preserves a pocket watch aesthetic, incorporating a swan neck regulator and traditional finger-like bridges. The rotor features a newly designed version in 18K rose gold, adorned with 15 different decorative processes.
The RD72 module is a collaborative innovation between Roger Dubuis and Jean-Marc Wiederrecht, showcasing a unique dual retrograde display for the day of the week and date, moving away from the traditional quad dial perpetual calendar layout. The month and leap year indications employ a co-axial design, presenting both elements within the same circular window through dual hands, resulting in a sleek and compact design. As the brand’s inventory no longer holds original module parts, the main base plate, bridge plate, and approximately half of the components, including levers, springs, and gears, needed to be remade, all completed in-house at the brand’s manufacturing facility.
The completion of HommageA Tranquil Night is more than just a watch; it stands as a testament to the blend of tradition and innovation. It encapsulates the early reverence for classical watchmaking from Roger Dubuis, the dramatic tension in its design, and a deep pursuit of mechanics. Even by the end of 2025, one can still feel the lingering spirit left to the contemporary watchmaking world by the brand’s founder. Reference price: HKD 1,150,000.
