Offered here is an incredibly rare and highly collectible white-gold Daniel Roth C.317 Papillon 10th Anniversary (1st Series Limited Edition)
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The Watch is running well in excellent condition.

The Dial is in perfect condition, clean with no visible markings or damages.

The Case in superb condition, hallmarks still crisp and deep, with no deep scratches or any dings.

Year: Circa 1998

Watch Head Only.
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Brief Summary:
Master Daniel Roth is known as the grandfather of and the pioneer for independent watchmaking. His story and watches, once overlooked, under-appreciated and even forgotten by many not long ago have become immensely popular the recent years, catching the attention of knowledgeable collectors and connoisseurs, especially with a rising appreciation for Neo-Vintage watches.

Today we are proud to present to an important, unique and incredible timepiece from the Master and known among collectors as his “Last True” creation among his early/1st series creation.

Born into a family with deep horological roots, with his grandfather and great-grandfather both working as watchmakers in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. Following this path, he completed his technical apprenticeship in Nice, before fulfilling his ambition of moving to the Vallée de Joux, one of the world’s watchmaking epicentres where he then joined Audermars Audemars Piguet at a young age, at a time where he was the only watchmaker who didn’t come from Le Brassus, the brand’s historic home. Following seven years at Audemars Piguet, Roth was noticed by the Mr François Bodet, the general manager for Bréguet at the time when it was owned by the Chaumet brothers. Inspired by the work of the famous watchmaker, Roth agreed to help resuscitate the brand. Over fourteen years, he would help rebuild the watchmaker, cementing the style, finishing and complications in wristwatch form.

It is then In 1989, Daniel Roth decided his own brand and manufacturer. One of the first truly independent watchmakers working under his own name, he created Breguet-inspired pieces, with a twist, cementing aesthetic codes which are distinctively his own, from the double-ellipse case to the sharply executed pinstripe guilloché dials used on some of his models. Though his output was limited, it was plentiful in its diversity and inventiveness, from tourbillons to chronographs.
In 1994, struggling to drive the brand forward on his own, Roth decided to take on external investment. He sold a majority stake to the THG group, looking to take things in a new direction. This involved an increase in production numbers, with the manufacture employing thirty watchmakers by 1995. In order to also cut cost down, the design of the pieces began to shift towards a more contemporary and sporty aesthetic. Overall, under this new stewardship, things seemed to gradually move away from the watchmaker’s earlier workings and vision. This is what the Roth community call the “THG Era” for Daniel Roth watches.

However in the midst of all this, introduced in 1998 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the brand, the C.317 Papillon was released to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Daniel Roth manufacture. Though the watchmaker had been increasingly less involved in the brand from 1995 onwards, he took an active role in the design and movement of the Papillon, to mark this historic milestone. It is understood that this was Roth's last creation for the eponymous brand, prior to the brand being sold off completely to Bulgari in the 2000s.

This model take its name from the French word for butterfly, on account of the atypical dial layout, reminiscent of butterfly wings. 
The watch is beautiful symmetrical design layout, featuring a jumping hour complication at the 12 o’clock position while the bottom half of the dial tells the minute with an oversized blued pointer. In the middle of the dial and layered above the hour and minute lies a beautiful running seconds subdial with a different guilloche pattern and a large blued seconds hand.

The dial features two different styles of guilloché, applied by hand, which contrast with the brushed surfaces of the minute and seconds chapter rings. The variety in finishing and the construction of the dial on several levels gives a satisfying depth to the design, as well as a welcome touch of variety. The "Daniel Roth" signature sits on either side of the dial, further leaning into the symmetry of the overall layout.

Encased in a white-gold double ellipse case measuring 38mm x 35mm in diameter, the watch sits comfortably on the wrist and wears larger than its dimensions would otherwise suggest. Only 250 pieces were ever produced, with this example being 1 of 110 in white gold, 110 in rose gold and 30 in platinum.

The Papillon powered by a highly modified base Girard-Perregaux calibre 3000 ébauche. The movement is subtly finished, with perlage on the base layer, chamfering on some of the angles, as well as polishing and decoration in forms of Geneva striping. The rotor, made out of solid gold is engraved by hand, reading "10 Years Daniel Roth XXX/110".

This incredible timepiece is really in a class of its own! From its design to its rich and significant history, it is no wonder today that the C.317 Papillon is one of the most sought-after and highly collectible early Daniel Roth watches! Being Daniel Roth’s last true creation, this significant timepiece, the C.317 Papillon, is most definitely not one to miss out on, especially if you’re looking to add a serious Daniel Roth timepiece in your collection.
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Please feel free to contact us for more questions or for a private viewing of the watch!
For more information do visit our Q&A post at https://carousell.app.link/roUoDh0y3kb

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