The watch meets the standard of the prestigious Poinçon de Genève (All photos: Roger Dubuis)
With their stopwatch functions and extreme accuracy, chronographs have long been the go-to choice for professionals in motorsport. Thus, it only makes sense that these timepieces have come to typically embody a sportier look to suit the activewear worn on and around the track. Now, Roger Dubuis is taking a different approach, one influenced by haute horlogerie, to imagine this iconic complication in a new light. Meet the Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph.
The maison is no stranger to the chronograph. In fact, its namesake founder spent his earliest days in the industry working exclusively with these movements for a Swiss manufacture. His love for and expertise in this niche culminated in his house’s first-ever releases, several of which were chronographs.
In its latest rendition, the calibre, which has a 72-hour power reserve, has been designed to tell and measure time. The column wheel, an iconic element of the movement, has been fashioned from stainless steel with a poly zinc decoration that gives it a lustrous shine. Speaking of traditional components, the vertical clutch here heightens performance while connecting this modern creation to its historical roots.
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The 120° rotating minute counter at 3 o’clock has an isotoxal shape, with a patent-pending display showing the numbers 0, 1 and 2. Red numerals enhance readability while tripartite hands rotate gracefully past the 0-9 on the right. Another impressive addition is the Second Braking System. Utilising the vertical clutch mechanism, it stabilises the second hand, minimising flickering. At 9 o’clock, a tilted balance wheel is installed at a 12° angle. Increasing visibility while offering inertia equal to that of a tourbillon, its diamond-coated silicon escapement components have anti-magnetic properties for enduring precision.
Measuring 45mm, the 18-carat rose gold case flaunts skeletonised pushers. A black rubber strap, complete with a Quick Release system, contrasts against the warm metallic tones. The rotor on the caseback has five arms, echoing the rims of a supercar wheel and honouring Roger Dubuis’ motorsport history. Referencing the founder’s lucky number, only 88 pieces of this trailblazing timepiece are available.
This article first appeared on Aug 18, 2025 in The Edge Malaysia.
