Pierre DeRoche TNT Royal Retro Limited Edition Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed)
Mar 18th 2009 at 12:01PM

This limited edition (just 21 pieces with gold and 201 pieces with steel) watch from Pierre DeRoche is an obvious reaction to the success of the Milus TriRetrograde watch line. The Milus uses three 20 second retrograde counters to indicate the seconds, while the TNT Royal Retro watch from Pierre DeRoche has six separate retrograde counters that count 10 seconds each. The small tapered window in each counter fills with red while that specific counter is activated and operating. There is no specific functional advantage to the look - as it is merely for style. Though, as far as style goes it is one of the most visually interesting novelty complications that I know of.

I am a big fan of the case and dial design of the TNT Royal Retro watch (though I am unsure what is specifically retro about it). The multi-piece construction of the 47.5mm wide case takes titanium, either 18k rose gold or steel, and a plethora of (likely) steel stylized screws to form the handsome case. Most of the case is in satin finished titanium, with the lug and crown structures in what is either gold or steel. It is a fabulously tasteful yet mechanical look.

Inside the watch is a base Dubois Depraz movement modified by Pierre DeRoche, who makes no secret as to how their modifications work (visible through the skeletonized dial on PVD steel). While the functions are simple - being the date and time - the watch has the appearance of offering so much more complication. It is a technically innovative dial design that I don't fear will look dated anytime soon. I also like how the crocodile strap is specially curved at the ends to better form to the case. Click on the "continue reading" link for a video of the Pierre DeRoche TNT Royal Retro watch in action.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Pierre DeRoche TNT Royal Retro Watch