Few names in haute horlogerie command the same audacious reverence as Roger Dubuis, and with the unveiling of the Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph, the Maison reaffirms its singular position at the intersection of technical mastery and expressive design. This latest creation is not just a chronograph—it is a theatre of mechanics, innovation, and style, a timepiece crafted for those who embrace life in motion yet demand the distinction of true high watchmaking.
The chronograph has always held a symbolic place in Roger Dubuis’ story. Mr. Roger Dubuis himself, before founding his namesake maison in 1995, honed his craft by working exclusively on chronograph movements, developing both a technical expertise and a deep affection for this most dynamic of complications. Nearly thirty years on, the chronograph remains woven into the brand’s DNA, culminating in this fifth-generation evolution that marries the integrity of traditional haute horlogerie with the Maison’s disruptive aesthetic.
At the heart of the Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph beats the calibre RD780, an integrated movement designed entirely in-house. True to the Geneva Seal standards, every component—333 in total—is meticulously hand-finished using 16 distinct techniques, ensuring not only mechanical precision but also artistic beauty. The column wheel, a revered hallmark of fine watchmaking, takes centre stage at six o’clock, ensuring fluid pusher action and visual allure, while the vertical clutch ensures flawless performance akin to the gear shifts of a supercar.
Patented innovations elevate the calibre beyond tradition. The Rotating Minute Counter at three o’clock reimagines legibility with its bold isotoxal design and oversized numerals, transforming function into performance. Meanwhile, the Second Braking System stabilises the chronograph seconds hand, enhancing accuracy and eliminating flicker—a refinement that embodies Roger Dubuis’ relentless pursuit of expressive innovation.
Every detail of the watch is engineered for impact. The 45 mm skeletonised case, crafted in 18K pink gold with skeletonised pushers, strikes a balance between robustness and refinement. The symmetrical dial unfurls like an architectural marvel, a multi-layered landscape of bridges and gears that reveal new depths with every glance. At nine o’clock, the tilted balance wheel—set at a daring 12°—not only enhances visibility but also demonstrates the Maison’s flair for technical artistry. On the reverse, the rotor echoes motorsport inspiration with its five-armed design, reminiscent of a supercar’s wheel rim, underscoring the chronograph’s connection to speed and performance.
Only 88 pieces will ever exist, a number chosen for its significance to Mr. Roger Dubuis, subtly inscribed within the tachymeter scale. Each watch offers a 72-hour power reserve and bears the prestigious Poinçon de Genève, the ultimate seal of quality and craftsmanship, achieved only through painstaking finishing and the most exacting standards of Swiss haute horlogerie.
The Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph is not designed merely to measure time; it is conceived to command presence. It is for the collector who values the duality of athletic energy and horological artistry, who sees no contradiction in pairing radical mechanics with bold design. It is for those who demand precision without compromise, and expression without restraint.
With its limited production and uncompromising execution, Roger Dubuis’ latest chronograph represents more than a complication—it is a statement. A declaration of performance, creativity, and the Maison’s perpetual drive to reimagine the codes of high watchmaking for an exclusive circle of connoisseurs.
