circa 2007, model number 318.Y.70, the double ellipse engine turned dial, 31mm wide, upper half with signed polished cover, lower with curved blue chapter marked for the minutes, central running seconds register and digital trapezoid jump hour aperture at 12 o'clock, 27 jewel mechanical automatic movement calibre DR115 with 45 hour power reserve, decorated with 'The Côtes de Genève', the signed yellow rotor with decorative 'wave' engraving, case, 41mm wide, stepped bezel and shaped sides, plain and polished, verso with six pentagon head screws and exhibition back, the border engraved 'DANIEL ROTH LIMITED EDITION NUMERO 21/80 318.Y.70', 2 o'clock lug with Swiss national mark, Chaux-de-Fonds, 4 o'clock lug stamped DR, 10 o'clock lug with convention mark for platinum, 8 o'clock lug stamped PT950, to the original dark blue/black leather strap, the liveried deployant clasp with convention marks for 18ct gold and Swiss national mark, Geneva, presented in the original case with outer card box, instruction booklet and undated guarantee certificateThe curiously shaped watches of Daniel Roth immediately catch the attention.Roth was born into a watchmaking family in Nice, France. His grandfather and great-grandfather were both watchmakers and, following in their footsteps, he attended a three-year watchmaking course.Upon completion, he worked with several Swiss watch companies, including Jaeger-LeCoultre, Chaumet and Audemars Piguet. In 1973, he was instrumental in the revival of the French watch brand, Breguet, and stayed with the brand for fourteen years.In 1988, Roth launched his own brand and by 1992 he was already employing twelve watchmakers. However, production numbers were small, driven by the brand’s commitment to traditional production methods - for example, hand-finishing dials and painstakingly decorating movements.In 1994, he took on external investment and the new investors increased production numbers. Despite not being a majority shareholder anymore, Roth himself still remained involved. The company was eventually sold outright to Bulgari, with Daniel Roth leaving shortly after.A high level of hand-finishing is a feature of his work, from the dials to the movements themselves. He often chose to highlight this by creating open-work and hand-engraved versions of his models. He introduced a completely different case shape - one of his signature elements - and these were produced in yellow, rose and white gold, as well as platinum and occasionally steel. The dial variations were numerous, integrating colours from salmon to electric blue, with various different combinations found throughout his body of work.Today, Roth produces one-off creations, working closely with his wife and son, completing around three pieces a year.Case: Good condition. Some very minor surface scratches. Clasp fully functional. Crystal complete with no obvious sign of damage. Strap with minor wear.Dial: Good condition, no obvious sign of damage.Movement: In working order, though not tested for timekeeping.
