Roger Dubuis extends Excalibur collection with a Chronograph

After introducing the renewed Excalibur collection earlier this year, Roger Dubuis announces two new models for the Excalibur collection. There will be a diamond-set Excalibur 36 with a new bracelet and a new chronograph, the Excalibur 42 Chronograph.

Roger Dubuis makes it easy: the number in the watch’s name stands for the actual diameter, so the Excalibur 42 Chronograph is a men’s size watch. This particular one features the in-house automatic chronograph movement, caliber RD681, that is powered by a micro-rotor.

The movement inside, caliber RD681, that shares quite some similarities with caliber RD680 that is used in the La Monegasque Chronograph, which was introduced in 2011, and the Pulsion Chronograph, which was introduced earlier this year. In comparisson to calibner RD680, the new caliber RD681 features an added date function.

Caliber RD681 has a column wheel to activate the chronograph and displays the emasured time on a 30-minute counter, positioned at 3 o’clock. The typical micro-rotor is made of tungsten, a heavy/dense material that can create enough rotating inertia for keeping the main spring wound. The movement has a power reserve of roughly 52 hours.

Did you know that  Roger Dubuis is the only Manufacture that produces all their watches compliant with and bearing the prestegious Geneva Hallmark?

Of course the level of finish is of a very high degree, exactly what we might expect from Roger Dubuis. The movement also has been tested (and certified) by C.O.S.C., the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute.

Aesthetically we see the known design codes of the Excalibur line: the triple horns attaching the bracelet, the fluted bezel and the slender Roman numerals. The case is executed in stainless steel, however I wouldn’t be amazed if we see more models at the SIHH 2013.

Another design element that the new Excalibur 42 Chronograph shares with other Excalibur models, is a stunning sun-ray finish! This is something you really have to see yourself, preferably in day light. So a visit to a Roger Dubuis boutique might just be an excellent idea.

One of those lovely details is that both the central chronograph seconds hand and the 30-minute counter hand are made in black coated steel. Other hands, indicating the time, are polished.

The new Excalibur 42 Chronograph  with a blue dial is sold exclusively in the Roger Dubuis boutiques. At the Roger Dubuis website you can find more information about location of their boutiques. Also check the Roger Dubuis website for the pink gold Excalibur 36.

This article is written by Frank Geelen, executive editor for Monochrome Watches.