The Excalibur Bi-Retrograde Calendar by Roger Dubuis

This year, Roger Dubuis celebrates its 30th anniversary, and for the occasion, the company pays tribute to its co-founder’s favourite complication: the bi-retrograde display.

This function, previously featured in the Excalibur Grande Complication alongside a dozen other highly complex mechanisms, takes centre stage once again. The Maison has also introduced a less complicated, more classic edition to further honour the bi-retrograde display.

Also referred to as “the ecliptic counters” by the Maison a nod to their elliptical shape and distinctive role in indicating the months and date the design showcases a symmetrical dial layout. Enhanced by refined detailing, it pays homage to the Maison’s early creations from 1996.

Glossary

Home
Glossary
Barrel

Barrel

A barrel is a hollow, cylindrical metal component in mechanical watches, sealed with a lid, surrounded by a ring of gears. The barrel serves as the energy storage unit, powered either by manual winding (via the watch’s crown) or by the movement of the wearer’s wrist in automatic watches. This stored energy is essential for operating the watch's movement.

Barrel Mechanism Explained

1. Mainspring:

The barrel houses the mainspring, a coiled spring that stores potential energy when wound.
One end of the mainspring is attached to the barrel, while the other end is fixed to the mainspring arbor.

2. Winding:

As the mainspring tightens, it accumulates potential energy.
Energy is stored in the mainspring by winding the watch manually via the crown or automatically through an automatic winding mechanism.

3. Power Reserve:

The stored energy in the mainspring is gradually released as it unwinds.
This energy powers the watch movement and keeps the hands moving.

4. Connection to the Gear Train:

The barrel transmits energy to the watch’s gear train, a series of gears that control the flow of energy.
This rotational force drives the escapement and moves the hands of the watch with precision.