Four new Excalibur models

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Four new Excalibur models - Roger Dubuis
9 minutes read
Excalibur Table Ronde, Excalibur 42 Tourbillon Squelette, Excalibur 42 Chronograph, and Excalibur 36.

Press release



in 1995 it has been totally focused on innovation. Now its prestigious new creations for 2013 are dazzling the world of Fine Watchmaking with their mastery of centuries-old arts, their expertise in complications, their virtuosity in design and the magic of their jewellery. They all draw their inspiration from the Warrior, the legendary figure in a daring world of adventure that, just like the Roger Dubuis Excalibur collection, is driven by passion.

His lineage, chivalry and bravery make the Warrior the perfect image for the noblest and most powerful Roger Dubuis creations. Four exceptional models in the Excalibur collection reflect his masterful, choreographed power in a perfect balance of technical expertise and artistic expression. Constantly introducing innovations to reinforce its dynamic design style is a perpetual objective at Roger Dubuis. The Manufacture has developed a watchmaking culture devoted to taking on the most extravagant challenges, a mission shared by the hero of the Warrior world where there is no place for half-measures. The legend has inspired four Excalibur models that excite the senses and remind us that boldness is an eternal virtue.

First is the Excalibur Table Ronde. 12 knights and their swords carved in gold form the hour markers around the enamelled dial, making the watch an evocation of the Round Table at the heart of the King Arthur legend. And who better to express the spirit of this legend than the finest craftsmen at Roger Dubuis who keep priceless traditional skills alive and demonstrate them in this outstanding example of noble refinement. In a limited series of 28 watches, the RD822 mechanical movement is fitted with hour and minute indicators that awaken a timeless imagination.

The second original creation exemplifies the superb expertise of Roger Dubuis by showing that weightlessness is as much a feeling as a physical state. The Excalibur 42 Tourbillon Squelette is a model of elegance and lightness that reveals extraordinary mechanical complexity. Based on the Excalibur 45 Double Tourbillon Squelette, it is a masterpiece of watchmaking that is also a genuine work of art. The 165 parts that make up the RD505SQ mechanical movement transform technical intricacy into a form of artistic expression that is perfectly framed in the 42 mm case. It introduces a new interpretation of the skeleton movement at Roger Dubuis.

The third essential element in the 2013 collection, the Excalibur 42 Chronograph, combines two themes: elegance and technique. Its strongly chromatic design is emphasised in a blue dial with white Roman numerals. But the two symmetrical chronograph counters in the middle of the dial are a reminder that design is not the only daring feature of this watch. Its heart is the new RD681 movement that brings a dynamic dimension to elegant sports timing.


Excalibur Table Ronde

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The Knights of the Round Table had a solemn motto: “Courage and generosity”. For Roger Dubuis, this is its purpose in life. Drawing inspiration from the exploits of King Arthur's knights, the Geneva Manufacture has created a series of 88 exceptional pieces distinguished by their boldness and steeped in history. 12 heroes and their swords cast in gold encircle a striking enamelled dial while the automatic movement RD822 beats below. The scene is symbolic.

Most of the adventures of the gallant knights were initiated in meetings at the round table. Their courage knew no bounds, their faith was unshakeable, they were the Knights of the Round Table. Courage was their paramount value and according to the legend, they went from battle to battle, from victory to victory, upholding these values. While their heroism built their reputation, what confirmed their legendary status was their search for the Holy Grail.

Lancelot, the most valiant knight, was considered to be the purest of them all when he brought back the precious object to his sovereign. Thus was he granted the honour of a seat at the round table. Merlin declared: “Around this table, all in equality, will sit the most valiant knights. From this room, they will set out to seek challenges, to undo wrongs, to protect the weak and to bring down the proud.”

That was where all the adventures began, where the stories were told and where the magic bound them together forever. It was there that they took the oath of allegiance to King Arthur, swearing to spare no effort in their valiant quests, overcoming all obstacles, facing all perils and returning triumphant.


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The pursuit of excellence

These are the same aspirations that motivate Roger Dubuis. The legend of King Arthur has been the inspiration for the Geneva watchmaker's latest wonderful creation: the Excalibur Table Ronde. Produced in a limited series of 88 pieces, this watch presents a perfect reproduction of a scene from the Round Table. It fits the legend with its 45 mm case in pink gold and respects the design codes of the Excalibur collection: an impressive case, fluted bezel, robust crown guard and triple strap horns. With its dynamic shape and sharp angles, the watch has a dial to match its strong, symbolic design. The hour markers are 12 authentic figures representing the Knights of the Round Table. Their swords, cast by hand in gold, and therefore unique, are crafted by gifted, passionate craftsmen. Artists and watchmakers have worked closely together to make this timepiece a work of art. At its centre, a dial in precious enamel forms a kaleidoscope of colours that emphasize even more the evocative power of the watch.

Among its list of technical achievements is the latest generation of the automatic-winding mechanical movement, the RD822 that displays the hours and minutes. And because Roger Dubuis is committed to the ceaseless pursuit of excellence, the movement and the watch are stamped with the prestigious Hallmark of Geneva. This unmatched quality recognition means that the Excalibur Table Ronde exceeds even the demanding standards of Swiss Fine Watchmaking and ensures that the future owner becomes part of the legend!

 



Excalibur 42 Tourbillon Squelette


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The redesigned case of the Excalibur 42 contains a new watch with a skeleton tourbillon of exceptional quality and original design. While respecting the Excalibur identity codes, Roger Dubuis has given it subtle new ergonomics, an open-heart design and a top-flight movement. The result is an outstanding watchmaking achievement, the Excalibur 42 Tourbillon Squelette. This marriage of technical excellence and daring design explores the watchmaking of the future. Roger Dubuis has displayed the complications and enhanced the functions, and framed them in cases with a powerful, avantgarde design. This latest exceptional piece of Fine Watchmaking, the Excalibur 42 Tourbillon Squelette, follows the classic maxim that form and content are all one.

It incorporates the key identity codes of the Excalibur collection with its fluted bezel, triple strap horns and sharp angles: a concentration of energetic design linked to a perfect mechanism. The 42 mm case is a deliberately flamboyant example of style and watchmaking excellence that offers perfect ergonomics and an alternative to the Excalibur 45 Double Tourbillon Squelette. Refining the plates and bridges to remove everything but the essential elements has made the highly technical RD505SQ movement into a fascinatingly light and airy structure. Composed of 165 parts, it is the perfect combination of high performance and visual magic. Its incredible design in a pink or white gold case shows that Roger Dubuis is able to reinterpret the art of skeletonising in a firmly contemporary, architectural manner.

The Excalibur 42 Tourbillon Squelette, an exceptional mechanism with superb finishing, offers a unique vision of Fine Watchmaking. It is certified by the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute and stamped with the prestigious Hallmark of Geneva.



Excalibur 42 Chronograph

The chronograph fosters the idea that a watch can be worn as an elegant way of improving achievement. With its sporting spirit and refined design, the Excalibur 42 Chronograph with a blue dial is sold exclusively in the Roger Dubuis boutiques. It is a superb example of beautiful watchmaking designed for increased comfort and performance. It is powered by the new RD681 automatic movement with a Roger Dubuis iconic micro-rotor.


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As part of the sporting and decorative aspect of the new Excalibur 42 collection, the Excalibur 42 Chronograph raises the world of chronographs towards the era of elegance. This model uses its generous 42 mm diameter to proclaim its watchmaking pedigree whilst underlining its special identity. Its dynamic personality as well as its mechanism respects the codes of the Excalibur line: the triple horns attaching the bracelet, the immediately identifiable fluted bezel and the slender Roman numerals. It has the character and the hint of extravagance that distinguish it from comparable watches in the universe of Fine Watchmaking.

The chronograph makes an immediate impression of robustness, with a touch of daring that becomes a recognisable sign. Its firmly masculine, sporting appeal is reinforced by a straight-line design. Readability is the primary requirement for its functions: its principal dial together with the chronograph dials – 30 minutes at 3 o'clock and small seconds at 9 o'clock – and the applied Roman numerals, create a symphony in blue and white. The date in a window at 6 o'clock is in perfect symmetry with the other indicators and catches the eye with its expressive power. Other features are based on technology.

The Excalibur 42 Chronograph conceals treasures of ingenuity in its mechanisms. Its elegant steel case houses the new RD681 automatic chronograph movement with a micro-rotor. Designed, developed and produced in the Roger Dubuis Manufacture, this calibre of 280 components combines aesthetic quality with performance. Employing the most advanced production techniques, it meets all the requirements of Fine Watchmaking: it is certified by COSC, the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute, and is stamped with the prestigious Hallmark of Geneva. The Excalibur 42 Chronograph is available exclusively in the Roger Dubuis boutiques.



Excalibur 36

One model in the Excalibur collection adds a precious touch to its daring designs. The Excalibur 36 in pink gold and set with a halo of 672 diamonds (approx 4.78 carats) sparkles with the light of a thousand fires. Its identifying codes – dynamic shapes, sharp angles, powerful design – give it an allure that links refinement and beautiful watchmaking, without affecting the Roger Dubuis signature in any way.



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In the Geneva Manufacture women are seen as heroines: it has created an exceptional timepiece that is a true hymn to femininity. The Excalibur 36 in pink gold offers a remarkable mechanism in a powerful design. The brand's craftsmen have been very ambitious in creating an ultra-precise piece with a charm that is only matched by its performance.

The watch represents the avant-garde spirit that characterises Roger Dubuis and is the essence of its excellence in jewellery. It embraces preciousness and beauty with its bracelet set with 624 diamonds totalling approximately 3.79 carats. Precious stones surround the centre of the polished bracelet with its two rows of symmetrical brilliant-cut diamonds. The magic continues on the bezel set with 48 diamonds totalling around 0.99 carats. Echoing this flamboyance, its pink gold extends all the way to the Roman numerals applied delicately on the dial and around the small seconds counter at 6 o'clock.

And because excellence is the benchmark of this creation, it is fitted with the latest generation of a Roger Dubuis mechanical movement with automatic winding: the calibre RD821. Composed of 172 parts, it indicates the hours, minutes and seconds and can draw on a power reserve of 48 hours. Lastly, the Excalibur 36 has received the highest recognition in the world of Fine Jewellery: it is certified by the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute, (COSC) and is stamped with the prestigious Hallmark of Geneva.

An object of indisputable technical excellence that is also an exceptional piece of jewellery, the Excalibur 36 is facing a stellar future. Its boldness glows like the fire of the diamonds that form a disc of light on its bezel and bracelet. The sparkle of time touches us here as if to remind us that each moment is unique.

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