The PIERRE DEROCHE TNT Royal Retro is the world’s first mechanism with six retrograde seconds hands. While there is nothing new about retrograde displays of the date, day and hours, the spectacle of six moving retrograde seconds hands is truly innovative.
While this feature has been introduced to provide an element of fun, it also reveals a totally original approach: all the retrograde hands in this model are driven by gears rather than cams and, thanks to a strip-spring that has replaced the classical balance-spring system, return to their initial positions after “passing on the baton” to the next retrograde hand. This innovation facilitates adjustment and enhances shock resistance.
The seconds are displayed by a relay team of six retrograde hands around the dial. The sector with the moving hand is indicated when the window in the middle of its bridge turns red. When this hand completes its 10-second cycle, it “passes on the baton” to the following sector and returns to its initial position. The “baton” is thus passed on from one sector to another ad infinitum.
Not content with replacing cams with gears and balance-springs with strip springs, which improves both the design and shock resistance while reducing the risks of wear and tear, Pierre DeRoche has introduced another technical achievement: a single central bridge for 12 pivots.
The Dubois have been watchmakers for four generations. Between Marcel Dépraz, son Roger, son-in-law Reynold Dubois, grandson Gérald Dubois, and great-grandsons Pierre, Pascal and Jean-Philippe (present directors of Dubois Dépraz), almost 50 patents have been registered in a century.
And it is with his two brothers that Pierre Dubois, CEO of Pierre DeRoche, has developed the TNT Royal Retro. The idea was born during one of those numerous and passionate discussions held around the family table: if today’s timepieces offer a triple retrograde reading of the seconds, why not go further and offer six retrograde hands?
This required a movement that could house six mechanisms, remain unaffected by their velocity, and avoid any untimely stoppages.
While more than a year of tests was required to guarantee the technical excellence and reliability of the movement, the design also received considerable attention. One is immediately struck by the powerful character of the case.
Designed in several parts in a highly successful combination of different materials – titanium middle, steel bezel, and pink gold horns, crown-shield and crown – its construction highlights all Pierre DeRoche’s expertise.
The PIERRE DEROCHE TNT Royal Retro watch is limited to 21 pieces.
Technical details
Model: PIERRE DEROCHE TNT Royal Retro
Movement
Automatic, exclusive Dubois Dépraz calibre, 58 rubies, decorated and engraved gold oscillating weight (22K), 12 pivot central bridge and 6 chamfered and satin-finished seconds bridges, moving retrograde hand indicators, minute wheel with Pierre DeRoche logo
Functions
Hours, minutes, retrograde seconds in six 10-second sectors, date
Case
Black PVD titanium middle, steel bezel, 18K rose gold horns, crown-shield and crown, 47.5 mm in diameter
Strap
Crocodile with 18K rose gold safety folding clasp
Other versions
Titanium and steel case in a limited edition of 201 pieces