Innovative, extravagant, and forever at the forefront of expressive design, Roger Dubuis is a watchmaker like no other. A Maison that perpetuates horological traditions, while simultaneously shaping the future with its own disruptive interpretations.
This has been the daring ambition within this Swiss manufacture since its inception in 1995. A unique approach fuelled by the dream of Mr. Roger Dubuis himself, who envisioned one-of-kind timepieces for his closest circle of friends. Still today, that drive for exclusivity lives on through the Maison’s bold invention of Hyper Horology™.
This year, Roger Dubuis’ iconic journey continues at Watches & Wonders Geneva 2024 – where the Maison unveils a place like no other to share its tourbillon artistry with the true believers in high horology. To see exactly what sets Roger Dubuis apart, visitors can immerse themselves in not one, but four exciting new releases, each distinguished by complex tourbillon mechanics as well as breath-taking aesthetics.
Introducing the Excalibur Sunrise Double Tourbillon
Powerful colour. Blazing light. Two unmistakeable hallmarks of Roger Dubuis design. This energizing creation has found inspiration in the intense illumination of a breaking dawn. Here, we meet the vision of a radiant sunrise, along with the iconic spark of passionate tourbillon watchmaking.
Embellished with a vivid gradient of gemstones, this visibly assertive timepiece shows how vibrant aesthetics can be equally matched by the strength of double tourbillon mechanics.
Double the Tourbillon
The tourbillon, in all its forms, has been at the heart of Roger Dubuis for over 20 years. A signature mechanism for the Maison – and one that demonstrates the utmost skill and expressive spirit of its craft.
The first Double Tourbillon from the Geneva watchmaker was released in 2005. Inside, the Calibre RD01 linked two tourbillons with a regulating differential – the essential gear system that mitigates the effects of gravity by balancing the two tourbillons. Adding this component in an already complicated mechanism was a technical achievement that marked Roger Dubuis as a watchmaker who never stands still.
Since that moment, the Maison has continued along its path of Double Tourbillon design. It’s a rare artistry that comes with its own particular set of challenges. None more so than the time required for development and craftsmanship.
Compared to a Monobalancier, for example, a single tourbillon takes twice as long to adjust and assemble. For the Double Tourbillon – it’s around twice as long again. This comes down to the hours required for fine-tuning and ensuring that each of the two mechanisms are aligned in terms of quality and reliability.
In the new Excalibur Sunrise Double Tourbillon, we see how Roger Dubuis has perfected the technique of this complex watchmaking challenge. Delivering 72 hours of power reserve, the RD108SQ is built from 319 components and features two flying tourbillons, once again linked by a differential.
And by placing these Double Tourbillons within a skeletonized framework, the Maison reveals a moving world of finely decorated surfaces and pure aesthetics – all endorsed by Poinçon de Genève certification – which not only guarantees the provenance and reliability of the watch, but also the quality of craftsmanship, whereby each surface of every component has been hand-decorated. A total of 17 different types of finishing were executed on the movement.
Beauty on the Rise
Never to outshine the superb mechanics of this watch, the burst of colour surrounding the body is formed from 108 gems. Each high-quality stone is baguette-cut with sublime precision and arranged in a sunrise gradient around the timepiece. With 72 on the bezel, 27 on the astral signature, and 9 on the flange, a spectacular effect is achieved, allowing the wearer to stand out in full luminosity.
For the red stones, the Maison chose the vivid shades of garnet. Bestowing vitality and charisma, their rich beauty is the ideal match for the sunrise’s deepest tone. On the next level of the gradient, the colours are produced in orange spessartite – a prized gem known for its high sparkle and mandarin shine. Finally, Roger Dubuis has selected the unrelenting energy of yellow sapphire for the lightest stones. A joyful hue that completes the morning inspiration.
Even more warmth is achieved through the glow of 18K pink gold, which Roger Dubuis has used for the 45 mm case of this masterpiece.
Energy in Full Flow
Limited to just 8 pieces, the Excalibur Sunrise Double Tourbillon is an extravagant watch for connoisseurs. Why be subtle, when you can deliver a timepiece with two high-performing tourbillons, and a radiance that exceeds expectations?
This powerful design is proof of Roger Dubuis’ expert craftsmanship. Through expressive aesthetics and mechanical prowess, the Maison has established the tourbillon as a signature of its watchmaking, and shown itself as a master of this iconic art. Here, that expressivity is a symbol of the new dawn, where intentions and aspirations are always within reach.
The Excalibur Sunrise Double Tourbillon is unveiled at Watches and Wonders Geneva 2024, as part of four new tourbillons to be released this year, also including The Orbis In Machina, the Excalibur Titanium Monotourbillon, and the Excalibur Dragon Monotourbillon.
Visitors to the display can immerse themselves in the innovation and extravagance on show, where Roger Dubuis’ unmistakeable Hyper Horology™ is waiting to be discovered inside a temple-like sanctuary dedicated to the Maison’s pillars of watchmaking expertise.
