EXCLUSIVE: Rouchefoucauld World Complication - The Watch From 'Trading Places' Gets an Upgrade

March 31, 2011

The Sports Watch of the 80's Is BackIt's not often that a watchmaker waits 28 years to develop a new timepiece, but today HODINKEE brings you a world exclusive of just such a model, the Rouchefoucauld World Complication.? Made famous by Dan Aykroyd's character, Louis Winthorpe III, in the film Trading Places, this boutique brand (pronounced Rosh Foo-co) is issuing its first new model since 1983.? And what a watch it is.But before we discuss this new beauty, why dont we let Mr. Aykroyd describe the original:"This is a Rouchefoucauld. The thinnest water-resistant watch in the world. Singularly unique, sculptured in design, hand-crafted in Switzerland, and water resistant to three atmospheres. This is *the* sports watch of the '80s. Six thousand, nine hundred and fifty five dollars retail!? It tells time simultaneously in Monte Carlo, Beverly Hills, London, Paris, Rome, and Gstaad!"Rumored to be named after the 17th century French author, Fran?ois de La Rochefoucauld, whose writings on human behavior fixated on self-interest and self-love, this watchmaker's new World Complication is a perfectly modern adaptation of that philosophy (what screams self-love like a $25,000+ watch?).Housed in an 18k yellow gold case with a beautiful and supple brown alligator strap, the World Complication stays true to its name.? Featuring a COSC-rated chronograph function, day and month apertures, date and moonphase functions, and a world timer, this baby is chock full of complications in a serious sport watch.? Rouchefoucaulds all-new in-house movement, the Calibre 314, is on par with anything the likes of Patek or Vacheron produce.? And with a see-through caseback youll be able to show off the terrifically ornamented movement.Sized at 40mm wide and a 10mm thick this watch keeps one foot in the past in terms of its overall size, while appealing to the contemporary market with its bigger is better mantra.? The hour and minute hands are also made from 18k gold, while the chronograph second hand and sub-dial hands are a gorgeous blue hue.? And as theyve incorporated a patented rubber-seal system for the pushers, Rouchefoucauld has upped the water-resistance to a whopping 20 ATM, more than enough for the casual water-dweller.Considering their last model ran for $6,950 back in 1983, its not unreasonable that the retail on the World Complication has jumped to the guilty-pleasure price of $28,500.We here at HODINKEE cannot wait for a hands-on experience with this watch later this year. Well keep you current on when Rouchefoucauld will begin taking orders, but in the meantime, reminisce with the clip below from Trading Places, and feel free to peep the Rouchefoucauld website.