Hyper expressive. Hyper mechanical. Hyper technical: Roger Dubuis introduces its first two masterpieces crafted from black ceramic. Daring to confront a material known for being exceptionally challenging to harness, the Maison proudly showcases the results of its extreme craftsmanship with radiant ceramic editions of the Excalibur Double Tourbillon and Excalibur Monobalancier. At once hyper durable and hyper expressive, the striking ceramic cases prove the Maison’s determination to master advanced hyper materials, while showing what’s possible when you set out to reinvent a classic. Welcome to the new era of black.
CONQUERING CERAMIC
Demonstrating its technical and horological supremacy, Roger Dubuis’ ceramic is solidly black inside and out, four times harder than stainless steel, and only diamond can mark it. It is designed to keep up with the world’s most fearless trailblazers. No matter where the chase for the next thrill takes them, this is a material crafted to withstand their adventures – today, tomorrow, and all the days that follow.
Though ceramic is used throughout the horological world already, Roger Dubuis’ ceramic timepieces stand out with a display of true prowess for a key reason: a refusal to compromise on the Maison’s signature shape. An undertaking not for the faint-hearted, achieving the exact design desired was only possible because the entire manufacturing process was overhauled. This is unheard of within watchmaking, with any ceramic cases usually designed to fit to the material. Not for Roger Dubuis. Taking ceramic from raw form to the distinctive case it’s known for demanded remarkable talent, with the transformative grinding taking ten times as long as any other of its pieces. Only the boldest, most dedicated and skilled dare take on such a task.
The process begins with a blend of powders made of Zirconia combined with 3% stabilising Yttrium that results in its hyper-resistant hardness. With commitment and dedication, the hyper-skilled engineers transform these powders first into a blank and then through a machining process six times lengthier than the standard. While essential, the subsequent sintering and heating takes up to 48 hours. Yet making a striking technical and aesthetic statement is always a must for any Roger Dubuis timepiece. That’s why the final stage involves hand-finishing this immensely hard material, which demands extreme craftsmanship and meticulous care to conquer. The effort is worth it; not only is the case hyper-resistant to daily scratches, this step achieves the immutably bold black finish.
Refusing to tarnish or reduce in intensity over time, Roger Dubuis’ radiant black ceramic is where hyper durability meets hyper expressivity in a single timepiece.
A DOUBLE TOURBILLON ADORNED BLACK
An obsession with designing the future of Hyper Horology™ led to the evolution of the enhanced Excalibur Double Tourbillon in 2021. Now, Roger Dubuis unveils its latest variation in radiant black ceramic.
Housed within this new ceramic case, the RD108 calibre and its two signature tourbillons are a feat of enhanced precision and technical prowess. Both tourbillons are rebuilt with lighter materials and an enhanced differential to maximise the transmission of energy. This ultimately optimises the power reserve to 72 hours – perfect for leaving it off over the weekend.
Meanwhile, the calibre’s sense of transparency and 3D depth is heighted by the Roger Dubuis star levitating freely above the barrel. Clean cut lines on both the 45mm case and movement create its strong visual identity and give the impression of a thinner look and feel. This dynamic aesthetic is amplified by its decorations, hand-finished with precision and rewarded with the Poinçon de Geneve; one of the most demanding signatures in fine watchmaking.
Hyper durable and expressive, the latest variation of the Excalibur Double Tourbillon debuts with a radiant black ceramic case, striking in its intensely high scratch-resistance. With just 28 available, a black calf-leather strap with versatile Quick Release System completes the spectacular aesthetic of this new all-black timepiece.
THE MUST-HAVE BLACK MONOBALANCIER
For Watches & Wonders 2022, Roger Dubuis introduced its enhanced Excalibur Monobalancier, completed with a series of mechanical and aesthetic improvements. But this was only the prelude to the main event. Now, the Maison proudly unveils the radiant black ceramic Excalibur Monobalancier.
For the bold, the brave, and those that crave new, hyper-tech material timepiece out there, this is the must-have Roger Dubuis. In fact, it is a must-have for any true Hyper Horology™ aficionado. From the escapement wheel to the anchor, the micro-rotor to the balance wheel inertia and pallet-stones. The visionary engineers and watchmakers multiplied its technical enhancements in order to push the performance of the automatic RD 720SQ calibre to its maximum, increasing its power reserve to an impressive 72 hours. Reinterpreted with contemporary flair, the 42mm timepiece is designed with clean cut lines, fluted bezel, and sharp notches, while the signature star is reshaped to levitate freely above the barrel.
A contemporary approach is further evident in the decorations amplifying its expressive nature, including highly contrasted decorations, such as sand blasted, satin brushed surfaces, and polished angles, all of which are certified by the prestigious Poinçon de Genève. An embossed black calf-leather strap featuring a patented Quick Release System ensures ultimate versatility while offering a perfect colour match for the new unmistakably black case.
With a timepiece displaying hyper durability, expressiveness, and extreme craftsmanship, the new Excalibur Monobalancier black ceramic edition demonstrates the Maison’s ultimate mastery of the most contemporary and advanced technical materials. This is the timepiece of today.
Having encased two of its iconic calibres in ceramic and shaping it into the distinctive form that defines the Maison’s timepieces, Roger Dubuis’ unrivalled mastery and fearlessness in taking on the most difficult challenges is once again solidified. The latest black ceramic masterpieces show the Maison not only shapes the future of horological design, it is the future of horological design. Because Roger Dubuis is and always will be the most exciting way to experience Hyper Horology™.