LVMH WATCH WEEK 2026: DANIEL ROTH DEBUTS THE EXTRA PLAT ROSE GOLD SKELETON

At LVMH Watch Week 2026, Daniel Roth presents an openworked reinterpretation of one of the brand's most celebrated creations. The Extra Plat Rose Gold Skeleton preserves the classical proportions and architecture of the original whilst revealing the inner brilliance of the new manually wound calibre DR002SR, designed exclusively for this model. Conceived in the spirit of La Montre Objet d'Art, the watch marks a significant milestone in the brand's ongoing revival.

Simple yet perfectly executed watchmaking has long been central to the identity of Daniel Roth. During his early years as an independent watchmaker, Mr Roth considered the Extra Plat a complication in its own right. It was, in fact, his favourite complication after the tourbillon for its apparent simplicity and the technical discipline required to execute it properly. The balanced restraint of a thin movement, confined within the precise geometry of the double-ellipse case, formed a foundational pillar of the brand's reputation.

In the early 1990s, shortly after establishing his namesake brand, Mr Roth began producing skeletonised versions of select references. Made in extremely small quantities due to the painstaking craftsmanship involved, these early openworked pieces served as both technical exercises and demonstrations of the brand's expertise: slim architecture, open volumes, and hand-finished details.

Whilst firmly grounded in the brand's historical vocabulary, the Extra Plat Rose Gold Skeleton represents the first step in the revival of Daniel Roth, moving beyond faithful reinterpretation. Notably, the Extra Plat was never skeletonised during the brand's founding era by Mr Roth himself.

At the centre of the Extra Plat Rose Gold Skeleton is the calibre DR002SR, a new shaped movement manufactured entirely in-house at La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton. Based on the DR002, the DR002SR reinterprets the original architecture with newly shaped bridges and plates designed to accommodate an openworked construction. These components have been redesigned with the beauty of the skeleton in mind, ensuring that the calibre could be rendered with lightness and transparency without compromising rigidity or chronometric performance.

The DR002SR is constructed in solid 18k 5N rose gold to match the case, a choice that reflects both tradition and intention. Gold provides a naturally warm contrast to the black-polished steel components and offers an ideal substrate for the extensive hand finishing that defines the watch.

"With the DR002SR, we revisited the original calibre and reworked its architecture specifically for skeletonisation," explains Michel Navas. "We reshaped the bridges and plates to open the movement as much as possible, while ensuring that rigidity, reliability, and chronometry were never compromised."

Enrico Barbasini adds: "The decision to craft the bridges and plates in solid gold was both technical and aesthetic. Gold is a noble metal that responds beautifully to traditional finishing. It allows the handwork to speak clearly, which is essential in a skeletonised movement." Despite its transparency, the DR002SR retains the technical specifications of the DR002: a free-sprung balance, a 4 Hz frequency, and an ample power reserve of 65 hours, all within the elegant contours of the double-ellipse shape.

Skeletonisation is an exercise in reduction. The Extra Plat Rose Gold Skeleton brings this principle to its highest expression, with a movement that bears the full imprint of the artisan's hand. Nowhere is the human touch more apparent than in the numerous internal angles. Impossible to achieve by machine, each crisp transition is shaped and polished by hand.

Each of these sharply defined internal angles reveals the steady hand and patient rhythm of the craftsmen and women at La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton, who complete every stage of finissage, from bevelling to black polishing, entirely in-house.

"The work required to finish a skeletonised calibre of this nature demands complete mastery of traditional techniques," note Barbasini and Navas. "At La Fabrique du Temps, we can perform all of these operations under one roof, ensuring that every component reflects the standards of Daniel Roth. This internal capability is essential to the integrity of the final watch."

Reduced to its essential form, the DR002SR becomes a mechanical gallery of traditional craftsmanship. Balancing form and function, its openworked architecture demonstrates the technical mastery and aesthetic sophistication that have become synonymous with Daniel Roth.

"As a complication, the Extra Plat represents the essence of Daniel Roth," continues Matthieu Hegi. "It emphasises proportion, clarity, and a certain discreet sophistication. By skeletonising the calibre, we allow the architecture to be understood on its own terms. It is a respectful evolution of what Mr Roth first imagined more than thirty years ago."

The rose gold 5N case retains the signature double-ellipse silhouette, measuring 38.6 x 35.5 mm with a remarkably slim profile of just 6.9 mm. Flat anti-reflection sapphire crystals on both the front and caseback offer unobstructed views of the calibre DR002SR from either side, inviting prolonged contemplation of its openworked architecture. Blued steel hands trace the hours and minutes against the golden lattice of the movement, their deep blue hue providing a striking contrast to the warm tones beneath.

A calfskin leather strap with 20 mm lugs ensures the watch sits comfortably on the wrist, whilst water resistance is rated to 30 metres. The calibre DR002SR measures 31 x 28 mm with a thickness of 3.1 mm, comprising 141 meticulously finished components and 21 jewels. A free-sprung balance oscillates at 4 Hz, delivering 65 hours of power reserve from a single barrel.

In 1988, Master Watchmaker Daniel Roth established a brand that revolutionised independent watchmaking. With signature complications and a relentless commitment to horological excellence, Daniel Roth set new standards, blending mechanical mastery with elegant, understated design. The brand was revived in 2023 with the support of La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton. Staying true to its roots in high watchmaking, Daniel Roth continues to honour its founder's legacy whilst embracing modern innovation. The revival began with the Tourbillon, Mr Roth's favourite complication, launched as a limited Souscription series in yellow gold, followed by a rose gold edition.

This collection paid homage to the brand's heritage whilst introducing the in-house crafted DR001 movement. Each piece was meticulously handcrafted with exceptional hand-finishings and a solid gold Clou de Paris guilloché dial, achieving La Montre Objet d'Art. Today, the brand continues to follow Mr Roth's vision, working with the finest artisans to craft exceptional watches. Even in an age of rapid technological advancement, Daniel Roth watches remain timeless, preserving the art and tradition of measuring time.