Taking time into the 21st century

The relatively young company manufactures modern timepieces that are inspired - but not dictated - by the past

The story of Manufacture Roger Dubuis is one of success and its watches are appreciated by lovers and collectors of fine timepieces. Although this is quite a young company, it already has a structure that enables it to manufacture its own movement, now seen as a desirable attribute.

The founder and chief executive Carlos Dias personally designs all the products that bear the Roger Dubuis name. Born in Agueda, Portugal, he left his country at the age of 18 to study in Paris and later in Italy, where he produced designs for contemporary furniture. He then turned to publishing and to ready-to-wear accessories.

In 1995 the company was founded under the name of SOGEM (Societe Genevoise des Montres), and it presented its first collection in 1996, under the name of Roger Dubuis, a master watchmaker in Geneva. Although the watches bear the name Roger Dubuis, the company name Manufacture Roger Dubuis was adopted in 1999 when Mr Dias felt he 'fully deserved and was not usurping the style of manufacture', and now the company uses the title MRD Luxury Industry.

In 2001, Mr Dias designed and built corporate headquarters in Geneva, and by 2003 completed the company's structure. He now considers it to be 'a model of independence', producing about 20 calibres in-house, with 30 variations. He is the head of a dynamic young business which has more than 420 staff in a hi-tech manufacturing environment.

Manufacture Roger Dubuis creates designs at a prodigious rate - more than 7,000 have already been registered. Since 2004, Mr Dias has also created a range of jewellery in the same prestigious mould as his other products.