Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The Roger Dubuis Excalibur Biretrograde Perpetual Calendar
A powerful Excalibur case with an upgraded biretrograde QP movement offers a more avant-garde, openworked vision of Mr Dubuis' signature complication.
Last year, Roger Dubuis released a nostalgic watch that paid homage to Mr Dubuis, the brand’s talented watchmaker and founder. Using a restored and remanufactured RD72 bi-retrograde perpetual calendar module (launched in 1999) combined with the automatic RD14 base calibre, the Hommage La Placide was presented in a compact and classically styled 38mm gold case, much to the delight of fans. For 2026, Mr Dubuis’ cherished complication is restaged in bold, expressive Excalibur territory, powered by an upgraded calibre.
Theatrical, technical and contemporary, the Excalibur collection is the polar opposite of the Hommage tribute pieces. While the 40mm x 12.25mm pink gold case of the new Excalibur Biretrograde Perpetual Calendar is relatively compact, its sharp, complex architectural features are designed to evoke power and visual impact, in line with the brand’s Hyper Horology tagline. Surprisingly for an openworked model, the case is water-resistant to 100 metres.
To understand the provenance of the movement, we have to rewind to 1989, when Roger Dubuis and Jean-Marc Wiederrecht (Agenhor) co-patented a biretrograde perpetual calendar movement with retrograde day and date indications, plus month, leap year, and moon phase displays. That architecture was later industrialised within Roger Dubuis as the RD72 module, first used in 1999 and reengineered for the Hommage La Placide. The new RD850 movement, comprising 435 components, can be viewed as an improved and upgraded version of Roger Dubuis’ biretrograde QP movements, now with a dedicated month corrector, a high-precision astronomical moon phase complication, a 60-hour power reserve and skeletonised aesthetics.
Respecting the layout of Mr Dubuis’ biretrograde QPs, the dial succumbs to the more avant-garde spirit of the Excalibur collection and is now openworked, composed of no fewer than seven different layers. Certain elements of the dial feature the new “Astral Blue” colour, applied to the translucent mother-of-pearl used for the counters and discs. It’s worth remembering that Mr Dubuis was one of the first to combine mother-of-pearl and pink gold in a watch. The signature retrograde day and date functions are arranged on arcing crescent-shaped mother-of-pearl scales on either side of the dial, revealing parts of the skeletonised movement, including the satin-brushed mainplate. The month disc at noon and the peripheral flange are also crafted from “Astral Blue” mother-of-pearl, and all the hands are skeletonised – except for the month indicator.
The new astronomical moon phase display at 6 o’clock is crafted in blue aventurine with a domed, laser-engraved pink gold moon and sparkling stars. Calibrated to follow the Moon’s orbital cycle around the Earth with astronomical precision, the new moon phase will remain accurate for 122 years before requiring an adjustment.
The RD850 calibre has earned the prestigious Poinçon de Genève certification attesting to its superior construction, finishing and performance. Decorated with 19 different finishes, including rare inner-angle finishing, the movement is visible on both sides of the case. Beating at 4Hz, the 6mm-thick movement has a pink gold rotor and a 60-hour power reserve.
The Excalibur Biretrograde Perpetual Calendar is a limited edition of 188 pieces. The price is upon request. For more information, please visit rogerdubuis.com.
