Roger Dubuis Shines with Gem-Set Rubber Bezels

Excalibur Spider Skeleton Flying Tourbillon

In 2016, Roger Dubuis expands on the saga of its Excalibur Spider Skeleton Flying Tourbillon collection with a new trilogy in which vivid gemstones play a starring role.

Keen enthusiasts of the iconic Excalibur collection will immediately note the presence of its signature characteristics contributing to its unmistakable strength of character: the large round case with its fl­uted bezel and distinctive triple lugs, as well as Dauphine-type hands. Roger Dubuis’ recognized leadership in contemporary skeleton work is expressed through the Astral Skeleton concept, while its equally inimitable fl­ying tourbillon is showcased to particularly dramatic effect in this Spider version. The manufacture gives added sparkle to its reputation for innovations and world firsts through these new colored stone interpretations of the Excalibur Spider Skeleton Flying Tourbillon.

The rubber bezel is set with 60 baguette-cut rubies.

Setting rubber with precious stones is a ground-breaking achievement first presented by Roger Dubuis in 2015 and protected by a “Soft Stones in the Sky” patent crowning two years of development.

It boldly exemplifies the manufacture’s penchant for disruptive materials. Adorning such an elastic, technical and sporty material as rubber with gemstones implied perfect mastery of the exact thicknesses required.

The substantial physical difficulties involved were overcome by setting them into the rubber molding over the bezel using a technique based on plastic deformation.

In these colorful new interpretations, 60 baguette-cut night black spinels, red rubies or blue sapphires offset by black DLC titanium complement the strong contrasts between silver-toned and black elements, adding immeasurably precious depth to the already unmistakable 3D aesthetic impact of the Excalibur Spider Skeleton Flying Tourbillon.

Exploded view of the RD505SQ

Each fl­amboyantly distinctive version of these eight-piece limited series sparkles with its unique color differentiation on the bezel, crown, small seconds counter and hand-tips. All three variations on the gem-studded rubber theme are teamed with a high-tech black rubber strap, forcefully accentuating the urban elegance of this exceptional timepiece.

These are the latest renditions of a timepiece evoking the patient, meticulous and inventive nature of the work done by the resourceful arachnid as it daily spins its web in ever more intricate patterns, reinventing its craft and constantly adapting it to new situations – much like Roger Dubuis itself.

In 2015, the previous pioneering experience of the manufacture in the field of contemporary skeleton work enabled it to drive this expertise beyond the movement alone and apply it to whole new areas of the watch: the case, fl­ange and hands.

Says Roger Dubuis Product Strategy Director, Gregory Bruttin: “By promoting transparency, visibility and sculptural effects, the Spider principle offers an ideal expression of the superlative quality and high-end finishes implied by Poinçon de Genève certification: a reliable guarantee of exclusivity, origin, expertise, performance and durability.”

This Spider-inspired external skeleton work accentuates the distinctive movement structure epitomizing the status of the manufacture as the specialist of architectural mechanics. Likewise pushing boundaries to the limit, the dynamic Roger Dubuis Astral Skeleton is based on an exclusive multi-level, star-shaped construction while enhancing the clarity of the dials through its star tips pointing directly to hour-markers.

In addition, the RD505SQ caliber powering the Excalibur Spider Skeleton Flying Tourbillon models also features another technical characteristic that has become a Roger Dubuis signature: the fl­ying tourbillon with its carriage shaped like a Celtic cross.