Daniel Roth

After spending seven years at Audemars Piguet and fourteen years at Breguet, Daniel Roth founded his eponymous manufacture in 1989. As one of the first truly modern independent watchmakers to work under his own name, he created timepieces inspired by Breguet but with his own distinctive touch.

The reference 2157 exemplifies this golden era. Featured in catalogs from 1992/1993, this mid-size watch likely represents one of Roth's earliest efforts to appeal to a broader audience by offering timepieces with elegant and timeless proportions. In the early years of his independent career—now known as his ‘1st series’—Roth produced a limited number of references, including the 2187 Tourbillon, 2147 Chronograph, and his first Time-Only model, the 2107. The mid-size models, such as the 2157 and 2167, introduced in 1992, are now considered part of his ‘Mid-1^st Series’ by collectors. These watches retain many of the distinctive features that make Roth’s early creations so highly coveted.

The reference 2157 showcases Roth's iconic design elements, including the double-ellipse case and Ligné dial, along with a date window at the 6 o'clock position—a first for Roth.

The piece offered here is in overall good condition and presents an excellent and very rare opportunity to acquire one of Daniel Roth’s earliest designs as an independent watchmaker.