Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The Roger Dubuis Excalibur Biretrograde Calendar in Steel
Another chapter in the brand’s legendary biretrograde saga, now in a sportier steel case.
Last year, Roger Dubuis unveiled the Excalibur Biretrograde Calendar, a revival of a signature biretrograde complication co-patented by founder Roger Dubuis and Jean-Marc Wiederrecht (Agenhor) in 1989. Although this calendar version is simpler than the double retrograde QP the two men developed, it features the signature retrograde aesthetic intimately associated with Roger Dubuis. Following the pink gold version, the brand returns with a sportier stainless steel Excalibur edition. Unlike the more flamboyant and complicated Excalibur Biretrograde Perpetual Calendar launched this year, the blue dial of this watch is closed.
No doubt inspired by the warm reception of the Hommage La Placide, which pays tribute to the late watchmaker Roger Dubuis and his Biretrograde Perpetual Calendar complication, the brand expands its biretrograde family with this simpler yet no less expressive version.
While the 40mm x 11.25mm stainless steel Excalibur case is relatively compact, its sharp, architectural features are designed to evoke power and visual impact, in line with the brand’s Hyper Horology tagline. The complex architecture of the case – with its notched bezel, crown guards and chunky, sharply tapering triple lugs – is highlighted with polished, shotblasted and satin-brushed surfaces. The 100m water-resistant watch is fitted with a multi-link stainless steel bracelet for a sportier feel.
Composed of seven layers, the dial features a predominant “Cosmic Blue” colour scheme with silver accents. The intense blue colour is featured on the snailed flange, which hosts applied rhodium-plated hour markers with white Super-LumiNova inserts and conceals the pivoting points of the two retrograde hands. Although the dial is closed, some of the retrograde calendar components are exposed in the area contained by the sweeping crescent-shaped retrograde scales. The exposed components are inverted and secured in place by silver-coloured bridges decorated with Côtes de Genève.
The arcing retrograde scales, with day-of-the-week indication on the left and the date on the right, are silver to match the case, sun-brushed, with black inscriptions and red dots and indicated by skeletonised hands with red tips. The central plate is also a Cosmic Blue colour with the small seconds counter at 6 o’clock and a matching disc at noon, inscribed with “Biretrograde Calendar” and the Poinçon de Genève shield. Time is indicated by white gold hour and minute hands with SLN inserts.
Powered by the RD840 calibre, this automatic movement is distinguished with the Poinçon de Genève certification, meaning, among other things, that the movement is fully finished throughout, even the parts that cannot be seen. According to the brand, the movement is finished with 14 different techniques. Capturing the spirit of RD’s debut watch, the Sympathie, with the biretrograde perpetual calendar movement he developed with Wiederrecht, the pink gold rotor is sculpted. With 244 components, 40 jewels and a frequency of 28,800vph, the autonomy is 60 hours.
The stainless steel bracelet with a triple-folding clasp features the brand’s integrated Quick Release System and can be exchanged for the additional calfskin strap provided in the box. Price to be confirmed. More information at rogerdubuis.com.
