Roger Dubuis Embodies Breathtaking Craftsmanship in the Excalibur Biretrograde Perpetual Calendar

A tribute to its founder, the brilliant watchmaker Roger Dubuis, the watch company honoured his remarkable talents last year with the release of the nostalgically devised Hommage La Placide. Drawing upon the restructured RD72 bi-retrograde perpetual calendar module, which was originally launched in 1999, this exquisite piece was accompanied by the RD14 automatic base calibre, encased in a compact 38mm gold case, captivating fans worldwide.

The movement of this illustrious timepiece can be traced back to 1989 when Roger Dubuis and Jean-Marc Wiederrecht co-patented a bi-retrograde perpetual calendar movement. A feature that reveals the day and date in a retrograde manner also includes displays for the month, leap year, and lunar phases. Later, this architecture would be incorporated as the RD72 module and reimagined for the Hommage series. The embodiment of sophisticated horology, The RD850 calibre, with its impressive 435 components, is seen as the evolved version of Roger Dubuis’s earlier bi-retrograde movements. The enhanced movement also flaunts an astronomic moon phase complication, a dedicated month corrector, and a generous 60-hour power reserve while retaining the compelling skeletal aesthetics that characterise Roger Dubuis timepieces.

The avant-garde spirit of the Excalibur collection is evident in the openworked dial portraying the daring spirit of the brand perfectly. The stunning complexity of the seven-layered dial, which accommodates the new ‘Astral Blue’ hue, adds a touch of intrigue and charm. The innovatively presented day and date functions, along with the satin-brushed mainplate, capture the viewer’s attention while showcasing the enchanting inner workings of the watch. The astronomical moon-phase display, crafted in blue aventurine with a domed, laser-engraved pink gold moon and sparkling stars, accurately follows the Moon’s orbital cycle around the Earth and will remain accurate for an impressive 122 years before requiring an adjustment, testifying to the precision, quality and extraordinary craft that Roger Dubuis is renowned for.