Introducing Roger Dubuis Unveils The Excalibur Grande Complication

Roger Dubuis has always been a maison that thrives on pushing boundaries, having developed 33 exclusive in-house mechanical calibres since its establishment in 1995. As the long-awaited Watches & Wonders 2025 doors open, the brand celebrates its 30th anniversary with a timepiece that truly redefines its limits, the Excalibur Grande Complication. This latest release is more than just a watch; it is a testament to the relentless pursuit of fine watchmaking. It embodies three of the most prestigious complications, alongside the maison’s signature Biretrograde display.

The first complication we have here is the perpetual calendar, which is no easy feat to master, but for Mr. Roger Dubuis, the challenge was part of the allure. The Excalibur Grande Complication automatically adjusts for months with 28, 30, or 31 days and even leap years, requiring no manual correction until year 2100.

Enhancing its readability, the watch employs a Biretrograde display, an innovation Roger Dubuis co-developed in the 1980s. Here, the day of the week and the date are elegantly showcased on separate semi-circular scales, with skeletonized hands performing a smooth semi-instantaneous jump back to zero at the end of each cycle. A month disc sits between 11 and 12 o’clock, accompanied by a leap-year indicator.

The second complication is the minute repeater, one of the most intricate complications in horology, and Roger Dubuis has refined it with a distinctive tritone chime. Drawing inspiration from the Excalibur Diabolus in Machina that was released in 2020, this “devil’s chord” melody is a daring departure from conventional chime arrangements, lending the timepiece an avant-garde acoustic signature. The tritone chime produces a low pitch for the hours, a high pitch for the minutes, and two distinct tones for the quarter hours. 

The mechanism is activated via a pusher on the left side of the case, utilizing an advanced “all or nothing” system that ensures the chime only rings when fully engaged, preventing accidental damage. Speaking of the case, it is crafted from pink gold and measures 45mm in diameter. Both the dial and the caseback are fitted with sapphire crystal, inviting admirers to appreciate the artistry within.

Completing this trilogy of complications is the flying tourbillon, positioned between 5 and 6 o’clock. Crafted from lightweight, non-magnetic titanium, it features the maison’s signature Celtic Cross-inspired cage.

The watch is powered by the newly developed Calibre RD118, certified by the revered Poinçon de Genève. This hallmark of quality ensures that every one of the 684 meticulously hand-finished components meets the highest standards of craftsmanship. The movement features double micro-rotors, visible through the caseback, which ensure a 60-hour power reserve.

The watch comes fitted with an interchangeable 3D brown calfskin leather strap, secured by a matching pink gold pin buckle. Limited to just eight pieces, pricing is available upon request.

For more information, visit Roger Dubuis’s official website.