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.

Excalibur Spider Carbon

Case: Skeletonized, Ø45 mm, multi-layers carbon and titanium
overmolded with red rubber. Fluted carbon bezel with red
markings, titanium black DLC overmolded with red rubber
crown. Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment and red
metallization. Titanium black DLC and sapphire crystal case
back

Thickness: 14.02 mm

Dial: Carbon flange with red minute track with rhodium plated
indexes filled with white transfers SLN, 18K gold hands black
PVD with red transfer and white luminous SLN tips

Water Resistance: 5 BAR (50 m)

Strap: Bi-colour strap with black rubber base and red
RubberTech fabric inlay, red stitching

Clasp: Titanium black DLC adjustable folding clasp

Calibre: Skeleton Flying Tourbillon, RD509SQ

Production: 88 pieces 

Certification: Poinçon de Genève

RD505SQ Calibre: Skeleton Flying Tourbillon

Features: hand-wound mechanical caliber

Functions: Hours and minutes, Flying tourbillon at 7 o’clock
(one rotation per minute)

Decorations: Skeleton movement, plate, bridges and tourbillon upper cage in multi-layered carbon, carbon honeycomb décor between the plate and the bridges, tourbillon carriage in the shape of a Celtic cross

Number of parts: 179 components

Jewels:19

Diameter: 16’’’

Thickness: 4.28 mm

Frequency: 3 Hz (21,600 vph)

Power-reserve: 60 hours

 
Excalibur Spider Carbon

Case: Skeletonized, Ø45 mm, multi-layers carbon, titanium
container overmolded with red rubber. Fluted ceramic bezel
with red markings, titanium black DLC overmolded with red
rubber crown. Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
and red metallization. Titanium black DLC and sapphire crystal
case back

Thickness: 14.02 mm

Dial: Black flange with red minute track transfers rhodium
plated indexes filled with luminous SLN, 18K gold black PVD
hands with red transfer and white luminous SLN tips

Water Resistance: 5 BAR (50 m)

Strap: Bi-material strap with black rubber base and red calf
leather inlay, red stitching

Clasp: Titanium black DLC adjustable folding clasp

Calibre: Automatic Skeleton with micro-rotor, RD820SQ

Production: 88 pieces 

Certification: Poinçon de Genève

RD820SQ Calibre: Automatic Skeleton with micro-rotor

Features: Self-winding mechanical caliber with skeleted micro-rotor, finely adjusted in six positions

Functions: Hours and minutes, 

Decorations: Skeleton calibre, NAC coated plate and bridges, circular-grained plate and bridges, “Poinçon de Genève” finishing. White and red transfers on the micro-rotor bridge

Number of parts: 167 components

Jewels: 35

Diameter: 16’’’

Thickness: 6.38 mm

Frequency: 4Hz (28,800 vph)

Power-reserve: 60 hours