Roger Dubuis : Year of the Astral Skeleton

Excalibur Spider Skeleton Double Flying Tourbillon

Case : skeletonized titanium and black DLC titanium, red aluminium container and crown, sapphire crystal case back, water-resistant to 50m Diameter : 47mm Movement : hand-wound mechanical movement (RD01SQ caliber, 50h power reserve), 301 parts, double flying tourbillon with differential at 4.30 and 7.30 (1mn rotation),skeleton movement, charcoal grey rhodium-plated, circular-grained plate, tourbillon carriages in the shape of a Celtic cross, “Poinçon de Genève” finishes Functions : hours and minutes Dial : skeleton, red aluminium skeleton flange, skeleton hands in gold, black DLC treatment with SLN Strap : black rubber, black DLC titanium adjustable folding clasp Limited edition : 188 pieces

 

Excalibur Spider Skeleton Flying Tourbillon

Case : skeleton black DLC titanium, bezel set with 60 baguette-cut diamonds (2.24 cts approx.) on rubber, sapphire crystal case back, water-resistant to50m Diameter :45mm Movement : hand-wound mechanical movement (RD505SQ caliber, 60h power reserve), 179 parts, flying tourbillon with differential at 4.30 and 7.30 (1mn rotation), skeleton movement, Black colour, Circular-grained plate, “Côtes de Genève” decoration, Tourbillon carriage in the shape of a Celtic cross, “Poinçon de Genève” finishings Dial : skeleton, black DLC titanium skeleton flange, skeleton hands in gold, black DLC treatment with SLN Strap : black rubber, black DLC titanium adjustable folding clasp Limited edition : 88 pieces

Roger Dubuis, the only Manufacture to practice a 100% Poinçon de Genève principle, has found in the skeleton a perfect showcase for the outstanding expertise embodied by this prestigious quality hallmark that is a guarantee of exclusivity, origin, expertise, performance and durability.

 

Having firmly established itself as the pioneer of contemporary skeleton calibers and a specialist in architectural and technical mechanics, in 2015 Manufacture Roger Dubuis is celebrating its ‘year of the skeleton’ with a charismatic line-up of Excalibur models. Simultaneously delivering powerful reinterpretations of equally trailblazing know-how in its other signature realms of expertise – the micro-rotor and the flying tourbillon –, these creations extend or extrapolate the unique Astral Skeleton concept in dazzling new ways. Each also reveals another facet of a proven capacity to appeal in daringly unconventional ways to a wide spectrum of individuals – from outdoor enthusiasts to timepiece lovers fascinated with technical sophistication and/or innovative designs, as well as women drawn to jewellery creations with a (quite literally in this case !) unique twist.

 

As the only Manufacture to offer a Skeleton Double Flying Tourbillon, Manufacture Roger Dubuis was ideally equipped to shift into an even higher gear. This is an appropriate way of describing its decision to skeletonize all key aspects of this iconic model channeling the raw power of a race car equipped with a state-of-the-art engine and amazing bodywork. Creating powerful contrasts with the titanium and black DLC-titanium case, a variety of fiery red aluminium elements on the inner bezel ring, crown and case band highlight the strong, sporty impact that is further reinforced by a variety of colour strap options. The standout RD01SQ movement powering this 188-piece limited-edition model is displayed to stunning advantage within this multilevel construction composed of case, flange and movement. The resulting 3D effects are reminiscent of contemporary cityscapes – just as one would expect from the specialist of technical and architectural mechanics.

 

 

Excalibur Automatic Skeleton

Case : pink gold, sapphire crystal case back, water-resistant to30m Diameter : 42mm Movement : self-winding mechanical movement (RD820SQ caliber, 60h power reserve), 167 parts, micro-rotor, skeleton movement with skeletedmicro-rotor, charcoal gray rhodium-plated,circular-grained plate, “Poinçon de Genève” finishing Functions : hours, minutes Dial : Skeleton, charcoal grey flange, white minute-circle and Roger Dubuis transfers, pink gold appliques, skeleton hands in gold Strap : chestnut brown hand-stitched genuine alligator, pink gold adjustable folding clasp

 

Excalibur Brocéliande

Case : pink gold, bezel set with 60 brilliant-cut diamonds (1.09 cts), lugs set with 30 brilliant-cut diamonds (0.65 cts), crown set with 1 rose-cut diamond (0.42 cts), sapphire crystal case back, water-resistant to 30m Diameter : 42mm Movement : hand-wound mechanical movement (RD505SQ caliber, 60h power reserve), skeleton flying tourbillon (1mn rotation),179 parts, rodium-plated, circular-grained plate, “Côtes de Genève” decoration, tourbillon carriage in the shape of a Celtic cross Dial : Skeleton with Ivy ornaments, Ivy ornaments set with 58 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx 0.15 cts) and semi-precious gemstones, pink gold flange set with 157 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx 0.91 cts), skeleton hands in pink gold Strap : deep ruby hand-stitched genuine alligator, pink gold adjustable folding clasp paved with 43 brilliant-cut diamonds (0.23 cts) Limited edition : 28 pieces

 

Technical, sporty rubber and ‘forever’ precious diamonds. While these two materials might justifiably be considered worlds apart in some respects, they have occasionally been used conjointly on timepieces, such as with a rubber bezel framing a diamond-set dial or other variations. However, the sheer physical difficulties implied in actually setting the gems on an elastic material such as rubber meant that this had never yet been successfully attempted – until now with this astonishing skeleton tourbillon model that thrives on uniting polar opposites.

 

After a number of standout hand-wound skeleton models, Roger Dubuis proudly introduces the first Automatic Skeleton watch to emerge from the Manufacture. It offers an attractive alternative for mechanical watch enthusiasts with a penchant for elegance who wish to have a handsome and distinguished timepiece on their wrist for some of their more formal professional and private occasions. Excalibur Automatic Skeleton in pink gold, gem-set pink gold or black DLC-coated versions. These models provide an opportunity to reveal the prestigious finishes that earn it 100% Poinçon de Genève certification, since all faces of the 167 parts composing the selfwinding RD820SQ movement are individually finished.

 

Manufacture Roger Dubuis has already revealed its unique vision of high-end ladies’ creations through a number of highly distinctive jewelry models, delivering a message of paradoxically timeless yet up-to-the-minute femininity. Its spectacular Creative Skeletons now apply this proven expertise in innovative, inventive and ingenious jewelry timepieces to the Excalibur range, while also interpreting an unequivocally feminine vision of the skeleton. Inspired by the Arthurian legends and the mysterious Brocéliande forest, the appealing and undeniably eye-catching Creative Skeleton Brocéliande model is part of a poetic trilogy that it set to weave its own unique spell.

 


Brice Lechevalier is editor-in-chief of GMT and Skippers, which he co-founded in 2000 and 2001 respectively. He has also been CEO of WorldTempus since it joined the GMT Publishing stable, of which he is director and joint shareholder. In 2012 he created the Geneva Watch Tour, and he has been an advisor to the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève since 2011. Also closely involved in sailing, he has published the magazine of the Société Nautique de Genève since 2003, and was one of the founders of the SUI Sailing Awards in 2009 and the Concours d’Elégance for motor boats at the Cannes Yachting Festival in 2015.

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