Roger Dubuis Releases the New Boutique Exclusive Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph

Known for its pursuit of  Hyper Horology™, Roger Dubuis has now taken its repertoire of flyback chronographs to a whole new level. The ace timepiece maker is also known for its association with Lamborghini, Pirelli, and has created some quintessential motor racing complications. On the occasion of the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2023, Roger Dubuis has unveiled the Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph (Ref. RDDBEX1046), which will be exclusively available at Roger Dubuis boutiques. 

The new Spider Flyback Chronograph follows the Monovortex™ Split-Seconds Chronograph that Dubuis released at the Watches and Wonders 2023, Geneva. Housed in a 47 mm mineral composite fibre case, this watch came with a conical Monovortex™ tourbillon, positioned at 9 o’clock, and a 360° trajectory, protecting the precision of the watch. The newly launched watch has a 45 mm C-SMC Carbon case with a black ceramic bezel, red lacquered markings, and a black DLC titanium crown at 3 o’clock, with a red lacquered ring. The watch gets a black lower flange with transferred texts and minute tracks while the upper flange is grey in colour with screw-like hour markers, and a tachymeter scale that moves from left to right.

The hour, minute hands are in white gold, coated with black PVD, and the outlined tips are filled with red SLN; the central second hand is red varnished. Moving to 3 o’clock, there is a tripartite hand; 0,3,6,9 on the edge of the dial are fixed and represent the ones place while the 0-2-1, closer to the indicator, represents the tens place; 0, 1 and 2 accurately rotate past the 0-9 digits on the right. The watch has a 500 km/hour tachymeter scale with white numerals and a date window at 6 o’clock.

Looking at the dial more closely, one can find a column wheel and a vertical clutch. The new chronograph integrates two crucial features that have a pending patent. The first relates to the clutch/brake mechanism with a system, SBS or Second Braking System, which provides extra stability to the second hand. Here, the brake is placed directly on one of the two arms to work in perfect coordination. The second relates to the minute display. Just like for the Monovortex Split Seconds Chronograph presented earlier this year, this chronograph’s elapsed minutes can be read because of an original indication, which the brand calls 120° RMC. This movement relies on three satellite hands, bearing the 0, 1 and 2 ten digits rotated to allow you to read the units. 

The variable inertia balance wheel features four adjustment weights and a flat hairspring; it is slightly tilted by 12°. Some of the escapement components are in diamond-coated silicone. Lastly, this timepiece features the Geneva seal. Powering the watch is the RD780, an automatic, self-winding movement with circular grained and sandblasted main plate and bridges, delivering 72 hours of power reserve.

Turning the watch over showcases the exhibition caseback. The five-arm rotor evokes the rims of a sports car with shaper lines, a signature element of Roger Dubuis. The Roger Dubuis Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph is presented on a black rubber strap. The inner layer has a distinctive pattern reminiscent of screeching tyre marks. The Quick Release System ensures the wearer can change the strap in seconds for more versatility.