Roger Dubuis screams back into the scene with yet another insane masterpiece! This time, they turn up the revs with a hypercar-inspired Excalibur model dressed up in pink gold.
Everyone in the watch world is known for something. Rolex, for instance, carries an everlasting influence on both horology and culture, while A. Lange & Söhne is revered for its elegantly restrained approach to mechanical mastery. In Roger Dubuis’ case, the brand is synonymous with an unapologetically over-the-top interpretation of timekeeping.
Since the turn of the millennium, every watch they’ve released — whether it be tourbillons, chronographs, or even their fantastical Knights of the Round Table series — has leaned into this maximalist philosophy. On the surface, it’s easy for a watch snob to dismiss them as a brand hiding behind aggressive design. But that hypermodern aesthetic is merely a façade — behind it lies true horological might for those willing to look closer.
For a perfect example, look no further than the Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph. Released in 2023, this wild creation debuted in a lightweight carbon case inspired by supercar engineering. Embodying Roger Dubuis’ vision of bold, expressive, and technically advanced watchmaking, the Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph pushed the ‘hyper’ in ‘hyper horology’ to its absolute limit.
But where others may have drawn the line, Roger Dubuis saw only a starting point. Later that same year, the brand unveiled the Excalibur Spider Revuelto Flyback Chronograph in synchronicity with Lamborghini’s Revuelto, followed quickly by another tribute to the SC63 Le Mans hypercar in 2024. But like the Hungry Caterpillar, they still were not satisfied. So as of this year, the saga continues with the newest, most flamboyant version yet, now encased in radiant pink gold.
The Roger Dubuis Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph has made landfall, measuring a whopping 45mm across with a towering 17.15mm thickness. Crafted entirely from 18k pink gold and balanced with touches of titanium and a skeletonised design, it’s a watch that commands attention. Still, unless your surname happens to be Schwarzenegger, don’t expect the wearing experience to be anything close to small or light.
As always, the aesthetic of this timepiece shines almost as brightly as the gold itself. The signature Excalibur design, inspired by both high-intensity sports and the world of hypercars, is unapologetically eye-catching. Roger Dubuis’ skeletonisation is extensive, cutting deep into the dial, the collection’s trademark triple lugs, and even the chronograph pushers. The result is a watch that feels like a constantly unravelling cave system — every glance reveals a new facet to explore and marvel at.
Nowhere is this spirit of exploration clearer than in the openworked dial of the Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph. An assault on the eyes in the best possible way, its skeletonisation exposes the brand’s horological firepower within the golden frame. The multi-layered construction houses a 120° rotating 30-minute register for the chronograph. Set at 3 o’clock, it is comprised of a satellite display that cycles through the tens via three hands marked 0, 1, and 2, allowing the minutes to be read accurately and quickly.
At 9 o’clock sits a balance wheel, tilted and angled at 12°. While it may seem like an aesthetic flourish, it’s actually a a calculated choice. An inclined escapement is better at counteracting gravity’s effects than a traditional flat one, all without the cost or maintenance demands of a tourbillon — though Roger Dubuis has never been shy about using that complication in the past.
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Turning the watch over reveals the beating heart of the beast: the RD780, an in-house automatic flyback chronograph movement that represents Roger Dubuis at its finest. On paper, it delivers the expected hallmarks of haute horlogerie — a 72-hour power reserve and a 4Hz (28,800 vph) beat rate. But dig deeper, and you’ll find some genuinely impressive innovations. Chief among them is the brand’s patent-pending Second Braking System (SBS), designed to halt the chronograph seconds hand with virtually no jitter or lag, ensuring precision with every stop. This is complemented by an escapement equipped with diamond-coated silicon, elevating both anti-magnetism and long-term durability.
And, as if that weren’t enough, the Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph carries the coveted Poinçon de Genève (Geneva Seal). Beyond COSC certification, this mark of excellence certifies that the watch meets Geneva’s most demanding standards of finishing, technical mastery, and traditional craftsmanship. It’s one of the toughest accolades in watchmaking to achieve — which is exactly why Roger Dubuis proudly places the seal on the front of the watch, rather than hiding it away on the back.
My Thoughts
With Roger Dubuis celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, it was only natural to expect the brand to come out firing on all cylinders. The challenge, of course, lies in how many cylinders they have left — after three decades of unapologetically extravagant watchmaking, one might wonder if there’s anything left to prove. Yet the hyper-horology engine shows no signs of slowing down. This was evident earlier in the year with the launch of the bold Bi-Retrograde Calendars at Watches & Wonders, and the same energetic thirst for boundary-pushing craftsmanship continues to roar on.
Related Reading: New Excalibur Grande Complication Is Celebrating 30 Years Of Roger Dubuis
As we enter the final quarters of the year, Roger Dubuis has chosen to consolidate its prowess with a new pink gold rendition of the Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph. Unrelenting in its drive for maximum performance, the brand continues to thrive in the fast lane of expressive design. This latest release remains firmly in line with Roger Dubuis’ embrace of motorsport values, channelling speed, precision, and spectacle into pure horology. With the anniversary celebration in full swing, it has never been more crucial to stay the course. But in classic Roger Dubuis fashion, they’re not content to just stay on track. They’re stepping on the throttle.
Reference: RDDBEX1138
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 45mm case diameter x 17.13mm thickness
- Case Material: 18k pink gold/titanium with skeletonised pushers & lugs
- Dial: Openworked with 18k pink & white gold accents
- Movement: Automatic Cal. RD780 with flyback chronograph (30min satellite counter) complication & Poinçon de Genève (Geneva Seal) Certification
- Power Reserve: 72h
- Beat Rate: 3Hz (21,600VpH)
- Water Resistance: 100m (10bar)
- Strap: Interchangeable black rubber strap with 18k pink gold/titanium butterfly clasp