Roger Dubuis Excalibur Limited Edition

Roger Dubuis Excalibur Limited Edition

The story of this model

The world of Haute Horology is mostly dominated by several old watchmakers, who focus on classic and conservative timepieces within certain boundaries. Even though there are slight alterations, such as a square case or a particular complication, we can pretty much expect something from them. Although the pieces from such manufacturers are iconic and will forever have a place in our hearts, sometimes it’s nice to go a little further from the norm, to push the limits of what is possible to fit on your wrist. That’s where watchmakers like Roger Dubuis come to join the game. 

Roger Dubuis was founded in 1995 by Roger Dubuis and Carlos Dias, making it quite a young brand. The two passionate watchmakers wanted to create innovative and exclusive timepieces, but the competition was fierce, so they decided to take a slightly different approach. Instead of making “regular” luxury watches, they decided to create a new micro branch of watchmaking- Hyper Horology.

Hyper Horology made absolutely no compromises. The Roger Dubuis watches had to be as beautiful as they were technically exceptional, often incorporating such things as two tourbillons or brand-new automatic movements, while also maintaining absolute functional excellence - all Roger Dubuis watches were certified with the prestigious Poinçon de Genève, or Geneva Hallmark, which guarantees the highest quality of craftsmanship and origin. 

Probably the most notorious collection of Roger Dubuis is the Excalibur, which was launched in 2005. The Excalibur line features powerful aesthetics, inspired by the legend of King Arthur and his mighty sword. These watches are equipped with incredibly complicated mechanisms, such as the double tourbillon skeleton, the Quatuor with four sprung balances, and the double sprung balances with differential, clearly differentiating themselves from the rest of the Haute Horology. The Excalibur collection also includes the Spider segment, which is dedicated to the world of motorsport and features racing design codes, carbon, ceramic, and cobalt materials, and collaborations with icons such as Lamborghini and Pirelli.

The vision of Roger Dubuis is simple yet bold - to shape the future of watchmaking by daring to be rare and pushing the boundaries of traditional horology. The brand is an unstoppable force that constantly challenges itself to create new and exciting calibers, designs, and materials. The Excalibur collection embodies this vision by being the ultimate expression of audacity, performance, and excellence.

Why is this watch so popular?

People are always pulled towards the things that are different. Some prefer to go with the flow, not raise their heads above the crowd and be the connoisseurs of the traditional. Others strive to break the norm, get as far from the classics and embody the new era with loud and visible statements. The Excalibur is made for such pioneers.  

The owners of that timepiece loved the Excalibur thanks to its robustness and bold looks, but also for its undeniable technical excellence. 

The watches were unmistakable on the wrist, clearly showing the world the bold and confident nature of its wearer. Whether others liked them or not, no one could deny their message - and that was universally respected. When people came close and managed to get a look at the mesmerizing tourbillon and saw the breathtaking case back, they couldn't help but fall under the watch’s spell. It might not have been their timepieces of choice, but their beauty was obvious. 

Apart from that, the owners of the Excalibur could rest assured that their watches will work without any technical “misbehaving”. The Poinçon de Genève was the best insurance of quality and reliability. Only 0.008% of Swiss watches produced have the Geneva Seal movement, making the Excalibur collection a true exception. The highest possible standard of quality coupled with the one-of-a-kind looks ensure the brand has a very stable base of admirers from all around the world. 

The looks

When we look at the dial of the Excalibur, we can instantaneously recognize the exceptionality of this watch. The theme of this model is black & white, playfully mixing those colours to create a beautiful effect on the face of the timepiece. The bold white Roman numerals range from II to VII, while the rest of the numerals are hidden in a splash of white. Three cream hour markers are visible at 9, 10, and 11 o’clock together with the proud writing “Roger Dubuis”. We can also clearly notice the two black subdials, with the left measuring seconds outside of the chronograph and the right counting minutes once the precise chronograph feature is activated. Made in white gold, it serves as a balance mechanism to guarantee the optimal working of the movement, but also as a characteristical accessory of this timepiece.  

The case of this watch is made from 18k white gold, which gives it a very luxurious feel. The two distinct chronograph pushers can be seen on the right of the watch together with the massive crown, making this timepiece appear even larger than it actually is. The fluted bezel, on the other hand, is quite subtle, making the watch feel very smooth and nicely shaped.

What is a very nice addition to the overall aesthetics of this exemplar is the sapphire case back, which shows the flawless manual-winding movement and the tourbillon complication. The writing around the glass points at the technical features of the watch, such as the 50-meter water resistance, the ref. Number., or the 47/88 mark, showing this timepiece is the 47th out of 88 limited series models.  

The whole timepiece is on a comfortable black alligator leather strap with a very stylish Roger Dubuis folding clasp. 

The investment value of this model

The Roger Dubuis Excalibur Limited Edition of 88 pieces RDDBEX0264 is a remarkable timepiece that is the definition of unique luxury. As one of only 88 pieces ever made, it holds a special place in the hearts of many watch enthusiasts and collectors. This particular model is in very good condition, making it even more valuable and desirable.

The watch comes with its original box, showing its authenticity and a crucial factor for collectors. Although it doesn’t come with papers, the inclusion of the original book provides a level of assurance about its history.

Limited edition watches from Roger Dubuis often see their value increase over time, driven by their scarcity and the brand’s reputation for quality and design. 

In conclusion, the Roger Dubuis Excalibur Limited Edition of 88 pieces RDDBEX0264, with its rarity, condition, and brand prestige, presents a great investment opportunity for those interested in luxury timepieces. 

How it feels on the wrist & Why I love this watch 

The white gold combination together with the impressive 45mm case makes this watch a pretty heavy piece - and that’s great. When you wear it on the wrist, you constantly feel the weight of the Excalibur; just like the watch is very noticeable to other people, it must also constantly remind its owner of its presence. Although the housing is huge, it still feels quite comfortable, especially thanks to the smooth alligator strap. The folding clasp system for this timepiece is so seamless and easy to use - you can do it even without paying any attention. The pushers on the chronograph are massive, so it's always easy to press them and enjoy the hand running smoothly on the dial. The watch is quite thick, so you might experience some problems fitting it under tighter long-sleeve shirts, but again, this watch is not meant to be tucked under something, but to be boldly presented to the world.

I could say that I love the build of this timepiece, the looks it earns you whenever you wear it in public, the doors opened to all the designer shops, and automatic upgrades to the best tables in restaurants, the chronograph feature or the intricate case back with the unbeatable movement, but for me personally, its actually the dial of this watch. I love a good dial - I don’t mind if they are simple or with just simple hour markers, as long as there’s some spark. But to me, Roger Dubuis has done a really good job at creating the perfect balance between opulent and tasteful. The Roman numerals are artistic yet practical, giving this model a very particular look that is irreplaceable. The two sub-dials are subtle, not taking the attention away from the mesmerizing tourbillon, with which they have really won my heart.

Overall, I would say this watch is great for those, who would like something a little louder that still maintains the gentlemanly touch. This timepiece is the perfect combination of the best of both worlds, and that’s why I love it so much. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Brand: Roger Dubuis

Model: Excalibur Limited Edition of 88 pieces

Gender: Men's

Reference: RDDBEX0264

Retail price:  € 42.000

Year: Approximate 2010

Movement: Automatic

Case size: 45 mm

Case material: 18K White Gold

Bracelet material: Crocodile strap

Water resistance: Yes

Glass: Sapphire

Condition: In very good condition.

Papers: No. Only book.

Box: Yes

Guarantee: We will provide you with an invoice and a 2-year guarantee issued under your name.