Adapting to the changing silver market, and predictions for its future

I also learned
that [the watches]
have become the
new international
symbol of the
world’s richest men
It was one of those moments you would not
wish on your worst enemy – even the motherin-law.
A moment when you wish the ground
would open up beneath you and swallow you
whole. Squirm is not even the word to describe it.
I had better come clean.
I was recently invited to a very posh dinner
party by a great friend of mine (and watch
fanatic), Penelope. Over the years I have
frequently been able to advise her on the watches
she buys, chiefly because she loves to spend her
money on anything with a bracelet on it.
She wanted me to attend the party principally
because I have this reputation as a watch
collector and enthusiast. God knows where it
comes from, he says modestly!
Let us move on. The evening was going very
well as I quaffed the Veuve Clicquot, and the
small talk was most engaging. Then a gentleman
called Philip arrived a little late and most
apologetic. I couldn’t help but notice on his wrist
one of the most beautiful looking watches I have
ever seen. It took my breath away.
So, as the so-called ‘expert’, I proceeded to
enquire about it. “It is the Excalibur World
Time from Roger Dubuis,” he said. I replied
that it was a make that was unfamiliar to me,
and the look on his face – well; contempt is the
best way to describe it.
The silence was deafening as Philip
remarked: “I am surprised that you don’t know
of this very special Swiss watch manufacturer.”
Then he added (looking down his nose): “It
cost me £35,000.”
Oh my god. Why didn’t I keep my big
mouth shut?
I must add here that the rest of the
evening went downhill from that moment,
so the following day I did what most good
journalists do – research! The first publication
I turned to was the Bible of all things watches
– Wristwatch Annual: The Catalog of Producers,
Prices, Models and Specifications by Peter Braun
and published out of New York.
There on page 186 was Roger Dubuis, for
whom the manufacture is named. Oh, the
watches were just sensational. And I also learned,
when I called a colleague of mine, that they have
WATCH THIS SPACE 21
become the new international symbol of the
world’s richest men – like my fellow diner Philip.
The name was only founded as recently as
1996, as I discovered while devouring every
scrap of knowledge. Also, significantly, it
seems that Roger Dubuis made his name as
a troubleshooter for all the big Swiss watch
giants; if anybody had a problem it was soon
solved by Roger.
After branching out into his own
manufacture he is now enjoying a well-earned
retirement and the new lord of the manor is
the dynamic Carlos Dias from Portugal, who
was instrumental in setting up the company in
association with Roger.
More than 400 people work in the state-ofthe-art
production establishment located just
outside of Geneva, and Carlos Dias has now
in fact established a unique jewellery line and
various objets d’art.
Eye-popping design, superlative handcrafted
movements of high-tech complexity
– these watches are luxurious avant-garde
timepieces. They include the Monégasque;
the Easy Diver; the Flying Tourbillon; the
Much More Tourbillon; and the Hommage
Perpetual Calendar.
In times of crisis all you can do is hold your
hands up and admit defeat – and learn from
your mistakes. One thing is for certain – I won’t
forget the name Roger Dubuis in a hurry!