In the high-stakes world where motorsport precision and haute horology converge, few brands operate with the audacious spirit of Roger Dubuis. The Maison has consistently carved its own path, defined by an architectural approach to watchmaking that prioritizes radical transparency and mechanical prowess. This philosophy finds its latest and perhaps most dynamic expression in the new Roger Dubuis Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph, a timepiece that marries a deep respect for horological tradition with a suite of cutting-edge, proprietary innovations. It is a machine for the wrist, built not just to tell time, but to measure its most thrilling moments.
The chronograph complication holds a foundational place in the story of Roger Dubuis. Before establishing his own manufacture in 1995, the eponymous founder spent nearly a decade at a prestigious Swiss watchmaker, where his work was dedicated exclusively to the intricate world of chronograph movements. This period cemented a profound expertise and a personal passion for the complication. It was therefore no surprise that when Mr. Roger Dubuis launched his own brand, chronographs were among the very first creations, setting a course that the company would follow for decades. This new Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph represents the fifth generation in this lineage, a culmination of nearly 30 years of continuous refinement and re-imagination.
Courtesy of Roger Dubuis
Visually, the timepiece is an arresting display of form and material. The substantial 45mm case is crafted from 18K pink gold, its warm, lustrous hue providing a rich framework for the mechanical complexity within. This is not a solid block of metal, but a skeletonized structure, a concept that Roger Dubuis extends to nearly every component. The lugs are sharp and angular, flowing seamlessly into the case body, creating an aggressive yet coherent silhouette. The prominent bezel, also in pink gold, features lacquered markings for the tachymeter scale, a clear nod to the watch’s motorsport inspirations. This scale is not merely functional; it is a design element, punctuated by a highlighted "88" in a subtle tribute to the founder's lucky number.
The dial—or rather, the absence of a traditional one—is where the watch’s character truly asserts itself. Roger Dubuis has built a multi-layered, symmetrical stage for its mechanics. A black lower flange bears the essential minute tracks and text, while a pink gold coated upper flange is set with screw-like hour markers, each rhodium-plated and filled with SLN for low-light visibility. This tiered construction creates an incredible sense of depth, drawing the eye inward towards the symphony of moving parts. Every bridge and plate is a structural and aesthetic component, finished to the highest standards, ensuring that what is revealed is as beautiful as it is functional.
At the heart of this mechanical marvel is the new RD780 calibre, an automatic, self-winding movement that provides a robust 72-hour power reserve. As an integrated chronograph, it was conceived and designed from the ground up with the chronograph function as an intrinsic part of its architecture, not a module added to a base movement. This holistic approach grants watchmakers immense creative liberty, allowing them to optimize the placement and interaction of components, which is critical for the kind of expressive, skeletonized design Roger Dubuis champions. The entire calibre consists of 310 individual parts, each meticulously finished and assembled.
Courtesy of Roger Dubuis
A key element of the RD780’s traditional credentials is the column wheel, which is proudly and deliberately positioned for viewing at the 6 o'clock position. In the world of high-end chronographs, the column wheel is a revered component, acting as the mechanical brain that coordinates the start, stop, and reset functions. Its presence not only signifies a more complex and refined movement but also translates into a superior tactile experience for the user. The pushers feel more fluid and satisfyingly crisp in their operation. Here, the column wheel is intricately machined and given a poli zinc decoration, a challenging finishing technique that results in a brilliant shine, typically reserved for unusually shaped parts.
Working in concert with the column wheel is a vertical clutch system. This mechanism is responsible for engaging the chronograph with the main timekeeping gear train. The vertical clutch is favored in modern, high-performance chronographs because it ensures a perfectly smooth and instantaneous start for the chronograph seconds hand, completely eliminating the slight "jump" or stutter that can occur with older lateral clutch systems. To make the concept more tangible, it functions on a principle very similar to the clutch in a performance automobile, connecting and disconnecting power with seamless efficiency.
While honoring tradition, Roger Dubuis simultaneously pushes the boundaries of what a chronograph can be. The most dramatic example of this is the patent-pending 120° Rotating Minute Counter (RMC), located at 3 o'clock. This is not a conventional sub-dial with a simple rotating hand. Instead, it features a unique isotoxal shape with a tripartite hand that carries the digits 0, 1, and 2. As the chronograph runs, this hand sweeps past a 0-9 scale, with oversized red numerals ensuring instant readability. Activating the chronograph sets this counter into a dynamic, almost theatrical motion, offering an engaging visual spectacle that is both playful and mechanically ingenious.
Courtesy of Roger Dubuis
The Maison’s innovative spirit is further demonstrated by the patent-pending Second Braking System (SBS). Integrated into the vertical clutch assembly, this system is designed to address a subtle but known issue in chronographs: the tiny, almost imperceptible flicker or vibration of the long chronograph seconds hand. The SBS applies a delicate braking force to the seconds hand gear, adding stability and ensuring its travel around the dial is perfectly smooth and unwavering. It is a detail that speaks to a relentless pursuit of mechanical perfection.
Further contributing to the watch's technical and visual identity is the tilted balance wheel, positioned at 9 o'clock. This is an emblematic component for Roger Dubuis, canted at a 12° angle. This orientation is not merely for show; it increases visibility of the "beating heart" of the watch for the wearer and, through its specific engineering, delivers the same level of inertia and stability as a tourbillon regulator. Its performance is further enhanced by the use of diamond-coated silicon for the escapement components, which provides excellent anti-magnetic properties and durability for long-term precision.
The view through the sapphire crystal case back is just as considered as the front. Dominating the scene is the winding rotor, which has been artfully shaped to resemble the five-spoked wheel rim of a modern supercar. Its arms are defined by the sharp, assertive lines that have become a signature of the brand’s design language, reinforcing the powerful connection between the timepiece and the world of high-speed motorsport. Every surface of the movement visible here, from the main plate to the bridges, is finished with techniques like circular graining and sandblasting, creating a textured, industrial-luxe aesthetic.
This commitment to finishing is not just for visual effect; it is a core tenet of the prestigious Poinçon de Genève, or Geneva Seal. To earn this certification, a watch must meet an exhaustive list of stringent criteria governing the quality and decoration of every single component, as well as the overall reliability and performance of the assembled timepiece. For the Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph, this means all 310 movement components have been painstakingly decorated by hand, employing a total of 16 different finishing techniques to satisfy the seal's demanding standards.
Courtesy of Roger Dubuis
The connection to the wrist is made via a black rubber strap that complements the watch's sporty, aggressive character. The strap itself features a black rubber inlay, adding subtle texture and detail. More importantly, it is equipped with a Quick Release System (QRS). This user-friendly mechanism allows the owner to change the strap easily and securely without the need for any tools, offering versatility and convenience.
This system extends to the clasp, which is a sophisticated triple-folding design. The cover is crafted from 18K pink gold to match the case, while the blades are made from lightweight and durable titanium. The integration of the Quick Release System into the clasp as well ensures that the entire strap and buckle assembly can be swapped out, further enhancing the watch's adaptability.
The Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph is an intensely focused creation, designed for an individual who embraces an active, fast-paced lifestyle. It is for the person who seeks the adrenaline of performance but also demands the substance and craft of true high horology. The term "flyback" in its name refers to a specific chronograph function that allows the user to reset and restart the timer with a single push of the bottom pusher, without first needing to stop it. This feature was historically valuable for pilots and race car drivers who needed to time consecutive events with no delay.
Roger Dubuis has chosen to produce this remarkable timepiece in a strictly limited edition of just 88 pieces worldwide. This number is not arbitrary; it is a direct homage to the founder, for whom 88 was a personal lucky number. This exclusivity ensures that each owner is part of a very select group, possessing a watch that is a true representation of the manufacture's most advanced capabilities.
Courtesy of Roger Dubuis
The watch is a statement of intent from Roger Dubuis. It confirms that the classic chronograph, a complication with deep roots in racing and sport, can be elevated to the highest echelons of watchmaking art. By deconstructing its form, innovating its function, and finishing it to the most exacting standards, the Maison has created a machine that is expressive, powerful, and utterly unique.
The Roger Dubuis Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph is priced at $135,000 which reflects its complex movement, precious materials, and extreme level of hand-finishing, and is available through authorized Roger Dubuis boutiques and retail partners. With only 88 examples being made available, this watch is destined for the collections of those who appreciate horology at its most audacious and technically advanced.
Case: 45mm skeletonized case in 18K pink gold. Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on front and an open case back. Water resistance of 10 bar (100 m).
Movement: Calibre RD780, automatic self-winding. Integrated flyback chronograph with column wheel and vertical clutch. 72-hour power reserve. 28,800 vph frequency, 310 components, 39 jewels. Poinçon de Genève certified.
Dial: Skeletonized with a black lower flange and a pink gold coated upper flange. Features screw-like hour markers filled with SLN.
Strap: Black rubber strap with black rubber inlay. Features an interchangeable Quick Release System (QRS). Clasp is a triple folding design with a pink gold cover and titanium blades, also with QRS.
Price: $135,000
Reference Number: DBEX1138
Notes: Limited to 88 pieces. Features two patent-pending innovations: the 120° Rotating Minute Counter (RMC) at 3 o’clock and the Second Braking System (SBS) for chronograph stability. Includes a 12° tilted balance wheel at 9 o'clock.