Roger Dubuis takes innovation to the next level in 2017 with the revolutionary introduction of carbon to its iconic Excalibur Spider concept and two cutting-edge calibres: the best-selling 820SQ and recent SIHH World Premiere 509SQ.
Perpetually on the lookout for original technical developments and unusual aesthetic options, Roger Dubuis has acquired an international reputation as an avant-garde Maison, a ‘serial innovator’ with a dynamic research-driven approach to watchmaking.
The annual unveiling of world premieres from its ever-busy innovation pipeline represents the almost ‘organic’ result of its on-going investments in Research & Development. Backed by a dedicated in-house department and Roger Dubuis’ own full-fledged Manufacture, the brand’s ‘disruptive materials and progressive complications’ mantra is forcefully expressed through its on-going challenge to all-comers: Dare to be Rare.
Design, performance and world class engineering
The revolutionary use in watchmaking of carbon, which is twice as light as brass, is the embodiment of Roger Dubuis’ fundamental belief in the disruptive nature of innovation.
This is entirely in sync with a recent series of partnerships signed by the brand with the automotive industry, where carbon is commonly used in the very high-end racing cars that were the inspiration for these futuristic timepieces.
As Roger Dubuis Strategic Product Director, Gregory Bruttin explains: «The 50% difference in weight enabled by this choice of material means a 50% increase in power reserve, raising it to 90 hours for the Excalibur Spider Carbon Skeleton Flying Tourbillon 509SQ. In this revolutionary model, the chassis is represented by the baseplate and bridge; the car grid by the classic honeycomb structure; and the car body by the case; while the tourbillon would be the engine component.»
True to the design codes of its emblematic Excalibur line, the latter takes the skeleton theme to the next level by skeletonizing the movement as well as the case, flange and hands.
This is the first time however that the Manufacture has allied this iconic concept with its best-selling 820SQ calibre. The combined technical expertise and aesthetic flair of the development team has masterfully ensured all the stellar transparency expected from a Roger Dubuis skeleton movement.
This approach is exemplified in the World Premiere Excalibur Spider Carbon Skeleton Flying Tourbillon, powered by Calibre 509SQ; and the robust 45mm skeleton case of the Excalibur Spider Carbon Automatic Skeleton with its Calibre 820SQ, featuring black DLC titanium elements offset by contrasting red touches.
Such an amazing technical feat, further complicated by the skeletonised nature of the calibre, is enabled by the particularly rigid nature of carbon that results in less vibrations and enhanced precision. Both models are issued as 88-piece limited editions.
Through these avant-garde creations, Roger Dubuis once again showcases its determination to push technical boundaries and demonstrates an unswerving commitment to boldly go where no other watchmakers have gone before.
About Roger Dubuis
Roger Dubuis has been at the forefront of contemporary Haute Horlogerie since 1995. Its audacious creations, firmly anchored in the 21st century, embody substantial expertise expressed through the finest watchmaking mechanisms combined with powerful and daring designs. Boldness and extravagance are the brand’s signatures, and determination its driving force.
The Roger Dubuis collections Excalibur and Velvet are distributed worldwide through an exclusive sales network and boutiques. The quest for excellence, the long search for the right gesture, as well as the development of unique skills are all constants of the Geneva-based Swiss Maison.