Roger Dubuis Excalibur "Monobalancier" launches

FEATURES Magazine article

2022.04.06

Roger Dubuis

Roger Dubuis is now at the pinnacle of "modern skeleton" luxury watches. Its latest release for 2022 is a further evolution of the company's iconic "Excalibur Automatic Skeleton," giving it the new name "Monobalancier." Roger Dubuis is constantly pursuing technological innovation and aesthetic excellence. We reveal the latest achievements that have been guided by its DNA.

Excalibur Automatic Skeleton Monobalancier

Photographs (Boutique) by Yu Mitamura
Interview and text by Yukiya Suzuki (Chronos-Japan)
[Article published in the July 2022 issue of Kronos Japan]

ROGER DUBUIS 2022
The evolution of Skeletonize continues

Excalibur Automatic Skeleton Monobalancier

When viewed from an angle, the three-dimensional effect of the large star-shaped bridge cut out on the dial is even more pronounced.

　The first thing to note is the adoption of a free-sprung balance, a first for Roger Dubuis. The escapement has also been modified. Silicon is now used for the escape wheel and pallet stones. This reduces friction and reduces weight, improving the efficiency of the escapement by approximately 50%. Furthermore, by optimizing the shape of the gear train and escape wheel teeth and introducing a new lubricant, the power reserve has been extended from the previous approximately 60 hours to approximately 72 hours. This modern skeleton watch not only exudes originality and aesthetic appeal, but is also highly practical.

Excalibur Automatic Skeleton Monobalancier

Roger Dubuis is the first to use a free-sprung balance without a regulator. This means that, instead of a regulator that comes into contact with the balance spring, the balance wheel's inertia is adjusted by rotating a mass slot on the balance wheel. Since it does not come into contact with the balance spring, it offers excellent accuracy stability, and since there is no regulator that can move due to shock, it is also resistant to impacts.

The micro-rotor has been changed from the previous single-material tungsten to a bi-material tungsten and pink gold. Not only has it become more aesthetically pleasing, but the addition of elastomer (a buffer material) to the ceramic ball bearings has reduced noise during rotation (especially in the free-spinning direction of single-winding movements). In addition to aesthetics, the responsiveness to the auditory sense has also been improved.

　It's not just the performance that has been innovated. Take the micro-rotor at 11 o'clock, for example. Previously, it was made entirely of tungsten for winding efficiency, but in the new model it has been changed to a bi-material combination of tungsten and pink gold, making it even more glamorous. There's also a large star-shaped bridge, boldly cut out on the dial side from 1 o'clock to 8:30 o'clock. The barrel is supported in the center of this star, just like the existing Excalibur Automatic Skeleton, but the bridge's shape is deeply chamfered, just like the Excalibur Monotourbillon released last year, adding to the sense of depth of the skeletonized design.

The new Monobalancier, like the existing Excalibur Automatic Skeleton, has the barrel supported at the center of a star-shaped bridge, but like the Excalibur Monotourbillon released last year, the bridge has a more three-dimensional design.

　Furthermore, the three-dimensional hour markers and the notches on the bezel both feature triangles with truncated vertices, which is the same concept as the Monotourbillon. In other words, while the new Monobalancier is an automatic skeleton watch, its design has been elevated to the same level as the more complex Monotourbillon, and its movement has made a major leap forward in terms of specifications, putting it on par with cutting-edge practical watches.

　In the next issue, we will delve deeper into this "monobalancier."

Excalibur Automatic Skeleton Monobalancier

Excalibur Automatic Skeleton Monobalancier
On the right is the Ref. RDDBEX0954, crafted in Roger Dubuis's proprietary, patented Aeon Gold alloy, which is resistant to fading due to environmental changes. On the left is the Ref. RDDBEX0953, crafted in Aeon Gold with a round diamond set in the bezel. The only model to be awarded the Hallmark of Geneva, equipped with a silicon escapement. Automatic winding (Cal. RD720SQ). 32 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 72 hours. 18K Aeon Gold (diameter 42mm, thickness 12.7mm). Water resistant to 10 bar. (Right) Estimated price: 9,179,500 yen (tax included). (Left) Estimated price: 9,900,000 yen (tax included).

The second boutique in Japan, introducing the latest brand concept, opens in Fukuoka

Roger Dubuis Boutique Iwataya Main Store

On a floor lined with prestigious watch brands, what really catches your eye is the large, three-dimensional Astral motif that graces the two front walls.

　Roger Dubuis Boutique Iwataya Main Store opened in April 2021 on the fourth floor of the new wing of Iwataya Main Store, a department store in Fukuoka City. This is Roger Dubuis' second boutique in Japan, following the one in Ginza, and is currently the only boutique in Japan to introduce the latest brand concept. The bold interior design incorporates Roger Dubuis' iconic star-shaped bridge, the "Astral Skeleton," creating such an impact that even passersby will stop and stare.

Boutique manager Masataka Narutomi said, "Roger Dubuis has a strong affinity with customers who seek something unique and rare, and recently our customer base has expanded to include younger people in their 30s."

"The interior design is unique in that it allows you to experience the world of Roger Dubuis at a glance. In this extraordinary space, we hope you will feel a sense of exhilaration as you pick up a Roger Dubuis piece and experience its charm and rarity," says boutique manager Masataka Narutomi.

"Because this is the only boutique outside of Ginza, we have customers from all over Kyushu, as well as from Osaka and Tokyo, who use Fukuoka as a business base. We are also planning an event in the summer to showcase the new products announced at Watches & Wonders."

Roger Dubuis Boutique Iwataya Main Store