Daniel Roth Ellipsocurvex REF. 318.Y.50 Limited Edition

The Daniel Roth Ellipsocurvex Papillon is a masterpiece of independent haute horlogerie, blending artistic design with mechanical ingenuity. Launched in 2005, this 18k rose gold limited edition (one of 210 pieces) reimagines the brand’s iconic ‘butterfly’ complication within its distinctive double-ellipse case.

Its magic lies under a curved gold cover. A central window reveals a jumping hour, while a “smile”-shaped aperture showcases the mesmerizing retrograde minutes: two opposing hands that sweep across a 120-degree arc before snapping back to zero. This poetic ballet is driven by the impeccably finished, self-winding DR115 caliber.

More than a time-teller, the Papillon is kinetic art. It represents a pinnacle of Daniel Roth’s inventive spirit, where a playful complication is executed with supreme technical finesse and housed in a case that is itself a sculptural icon of 1990s watch design.