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

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Glossary
Grand Feu Enamel

Grand Feu Enamel

Is a specialized finishing technique for watch dials, involving the heating of silica powder and other compounds on a metal base at extremely high temperatures in consecutive layers. The compounds melt and fuse together to create a glassy surface. This type of finishing is done in multiple layers, with each layer individually heated in the furnace, which poses a risk to previously applied and heated layers.

The "Grand Feu Enamel" technique is known for its high level of difficulty and a high failure rate. Maintaining a delicate balance between temperature and timing throughout the process is crucial to achieve the desired result. Each layer contributes to determining the thickness of the glass coating and allows for the integration of multiple colors.