Corporate History

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 his son-in-law Reynold, then his grandson Gérald and subsequently his great grandchildren, Jean-Philippe and Pascal, brothers of Pierre Dubois. 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 true trailblazers.

Three brothers, innovative ideas

More than a brand, Pierre DeRoche centers around a family spirit, that of the Dubois and Dépraz families, living since the 1500s 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.

Pierre and Carole, sharing an adventure

With their deep horological roots and expertise in cutting-edge technology, Pierre and Carole Dubois are committed to the development of Pierre DeRoche. Their business is a perfect synthesis of family traditions and a spirit of independence, both of which form an integral part of the Dubois family’s DNA.

Genetically in the forefront

Marcel Dépraz (1874-1946), known as Big Marcel

Marcel Dépraz, the family’s great grandfather, was exceptionally talented. He had already demonstrated 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 a wide range of movements. Teeming with ideas and highly inventive, he kept track of all his ideas in a 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. He remained closely attached to his native village, Le Lieu, its lake, walks and local specialties. 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 a repeater mechanism and a speciality of Marcel Dépraz in his early days – was formerly 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.

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.

Reynold not only had a gift for making watch complications, he was also a keen musician excelling at the violoncello and many other instruments. Under his baton, 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 post-war 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.

Gérald Dubois (1928-…) known as Dr. Es Chrono

In 1956, Gérald Dubois, Reynold’s son, developed the first automatic chronograph. His expertise enabled him to mark out a new path in many types of complicated and sophisticated movements. These developments, continually re-worked and protected by patents, gave the watch sector a new impetus. Now retired and head of the family, he devotes himself fully to his children and grandchildren, with whom he dines every Thursday evening, something they wouldn’t miss for the world. Nor has he forgotten his native village of Le Lieu, where he is still very involved in several local clubs. However, with three children working in the watch industry, this world is never far away. Indeed, many of the ideas and projects at Pierre DeRoche have originated in lively discussions between father and sons. More than a heritage, watchmaking is a passion for him.

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 impetus 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 correction or adjustments once assembled with the movement.

Jean-Philippe & Pascal (Dubois-Dépraz)

Pierre & Carole Dubois (Pierre DeRoche)

Pierre DeRoche and Dubois Dépraz: three brothers; one common heritage, two distinct paths; tremendous teamwork. Movements are the domain of Jean-Philippe and Pascal. At the head of Dubois Dépraz and following in their predecessors’ footsteps, they produce the original complications designed by their brother. Finished watches are the domain of Carole and Pierre Dubois, who have founded Pierre DeRoche, a brand conceived in their image, dynamic, innovative and contemporary, but nourished by the 110 years of watchmaking in their blood. Their vision of time? Watches of rare perfection that are true symbols of the extraordinary passion that has inspired this family from generation to generation.

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-string rather than a classic balance-spring system. A mini-revolution from the three Dubois brothers!