The New Pierre DeRoche Grandcliff Annual Calendar Is a Sleek Take On A Useful Function

Pierre DeRoche is a small independent watchmaking brand driven by Carole and Pierre Dubois. As such, it is somehow related to a discreet and respected family of the Vallée de Joux, Dubois-Dépraz. Their company made a name for itself manufacturing additional mechanisms (in particular chronographs and calendars) for some of the world’s most famous watch brands. With this background, it is not a surprise that Pierre DeRoche is rather technically oriented focusing on complications. Their latest model rounds off the Grandcliff collection which was inaugurated in 2005, with an annual calendar and a new, much sleeker design.

The annual calendar is a useful complication that automatically keeps track of the correct calendar indication for months of 30 or 31 days, leaving the owner to manually adjust the date once a year instead of five times. It is typically more accessible than the perpetual calendar (which also takes into account leap years) and infinitely more useful than a standard calendar. Dubois-Dépraz has long been a specialist of calendars in general, and annual calendars in particular.

The main originality of the Pierre DeRoche Grandcliff Annual Calendar is its display with a traditional date window at 3 o’clock – courtesy of a large diameter disc of the 32mm calendar module – paired with a month indicator at 7h30. The month indication consists of a red index travelling under 12 cutouts. The grey/black gradient dial is slightly grained and its lighter tone in the centre gradually darken outwards its periphery. Overall, legibility is great and the indications are picked up immediately.

The Pierre DeRoche Grandcliff Annual Calendar comes in a round steel case standing out with the characteristic fancy lugs of the collection. It is slightly smaller than the previous models at 41mm versus 42.5mm. The design has been modernized and simplified to be sleeker, easier on a daily basis and more elegant too. The crown screws down and the water-resistance is rated at 50 meters.

Turn the watch over, the exhibition caseback offers an unimpeded view of the automatic movement inside. Based on the tried-and-tested ETA-2892, it beats at 28,800 vibrations/hour with approximately 50 hours of power reserve when fully wound. As you would expect, the annual calendar module is made with Dubois Depraz (DD 6501).

The Grandcliff Annual Calendar also comes in a feminine version called “Mylady” with a diamond-set bezel and a sunray pattern radiating from the date window. The months are indicated with heart-shaped cut-outs.

The Pierre DeRoche Grandcliff Annual Calendar is delivered on a cordura-style textured leather strap. It is secured to the wrist by a steel folding buckle. Price is set at CHF 8,700 excl. taxes. The Mylady version retails for CHF 11.800 excl. taxes.

For more information, please visit www.pierrederoche.com.