Pre-SIHH 2012 – Roger Dubuis La Monégasque Flying Tourbillon

During last year’s SIHH Roger Dubuis launched the all new La Monégasque collection. Among the collection was the La Monégasque Flying Tourbillon in platinum. This year they release this model in pink gold… and it looks stunning!

We are very please with the recent developments that took place at Roger Dubuis. This is something that reflects in the launch of the new La Monégasque collection and by mr. Roger Dubuis, the man who gave the brand its name, who returned to the brand.

The former CEO, George Kern, also CEO of IWC, made this happen and we’re eagerly looking forward to the plans the CEO, mr. Jean-Marc Pontroué has for the future of this beautiful brand.

When I became interested in mechanical wrist watches, Roger Dubuis launched a new model named the Golden Square and I still remember drooling over the ads of the Golden Square Flying Tourbillon. Well, that feeling is back now I see the new La Monégasque Flying Tourbillon.

This new La Monégasque Flying Tourbillon incorporates all the refinement we liked so much about Roger Dubuis. The complication of a flying tourbillon adds much to this because it is the complication that is most associated with fine watchmaking. But also the refined design of the La Monégasque collection, so something that is very much appreciated.

All technical highlights associated with fine watchmaking, are to be found in this timepiece: the hand-wound mechanical movement, caliber  RD540, is manufactured, assembled and decorated by hand. The movement, which comprises of 293 parts, meets the new criteria of the Geneva Seal, which are applicable since the beginning of this year. It runs at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour (3 Hz) and offers a power reserve of 60 hours.

Its case measures 44 mm in diameter and is water-resistant to 5 bar (50 metres). On the dial, which is visible through a sapphire crystal with anti- reflective coating, we see hours and minutes with central hands, a large date at 12 o’clock that  changes instantly at midnight, power reserve at 4 and the flying tourbillon at 7 o’clock.

At the centre of the dial is a silvered disc with a brushed sunray effect. A brushed, rhodium-plated intermediate dial carries the white transferred markers outlined in black and the brand name, Roger Dubuis. One step further towards the outer white minute rail-track, is a brushed anthracite circle, highlighting the applied Arabic numerals in pink gold.

The La Monégasque Flying Tourbillon in pink gold is limited 188 and we’re pretty sure this means there will be 188 very happy watch lovers. No word in the price yet, but as reference, the price of the platinum version was € 166,000 (including tax) and consider platinum is always more expensive.

Altogether we think Roger Dubuis is back on the right track and we are extremely pleased to see these recent developments. During the SIHH we will be talking with mr. Jean-Marc Pontroué and ask him what we might expect in the coming years.

Information about Roger Dubuis can be found at their website.