A VISION IN VERDE MANTIS: THE EXCALIBUR SPIDER FLYBACK CHRONOGRAPH
Leading the charge in sports car-inspired watchmaking, Roger Dubuis has returned to the grid with the third dynamic edition of the Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph. Very rarely will you find a Maison so closely aligned with the world of racing, in which supreme engineering, innovative materials, and iconic colours go hand in hand.
Introducing the new Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph. Dominated by its vibrant shade of green, this Hyper Horology™ design completes another lap for the Flyback Chronograph series, which powered onto the scene in 2023.
This time, Roger Dubuis has created a further tribute to its long-standing partnership with Lamborghini Squadra Corse, who are taking their sports car to the highest level by competing in the Le Mans Daytona Hybrid series. The expressive craftsmanship is injected with the signature colour known as Verde Mantis – a tone that has been at the pulsating heart of Lamborghini Squadra Corse since it began racing over a decade ago.
Commitment to the Chronograph
Last year saw the exhilarating launch of Roger Dubuis’ fifth generation in chronograph design. Not one, but two Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronographs were unleashed, signalling the Maison’s return to this renowned complication – and showcasing a high standard of savoir-faire in every component.
This commitment to the chronograph is nothing new. Indeed, Mr. Roger Dubuis included this complication in the movement he crafted to obtain his watchmaking school diploma. Even then, it was certified by both the Poinçon de Genève and the Bureaux Suisses de Contrôle Officiel de la Marche des Chronomètres. Naturally, when he started his company in 1995, the chronograph was part of the very first watches he created. It has remained an essential and symbolic part of the Maison’s journey ever since then. After almost 30 years of evolution, that journey has culminated in a fifth generation, where the know-how and expressivity has reached a brand-new peak.
The Driving Force
The RD780 is a movement that embodies Roger Dubuis’ approach to fine watchmaking. It reinterprets tradition in a refreshing and modern way, offering many technical surprises, including two patent-pending innovations in the form of the 120° Rotating Minute Counter and Second Braking System (SBS).
This contemporary approach to high horology starts right at the very beginning, where the watchmakers are given full creative licence, allowing them to build the calibre from scratch and integrate the chronograph complication into the movement. This is a bold move away from the rational, modular approach (which consists of adding a chronograph module to an already existing movement) and takes many more months to complete. But the extra time means that the entire calibre is designed to both tell the time and measure time, while also expressing its own aesthetic identity.
Highlights include:
A Flyback function that enables the instantaneous restarting of the timer function while the chronograph is running. The vertical clutch, which provides better accuracy and is shaped like the gearsystem of a supercar. It is equipped with an innovative Second Braking System (SBS) that is a patent-pending brake and brings extra stability to the chronograph seconds hand and drastically decreases its flicker. A visible column wheel at 6 o’clock. A legendary component and the unmistakeable mark of technical value. Governing the start, stop and return to 0 of the chronographs, it also makes the pushers much smoother to operate. -The 120° Rotating Minute Counter (RMC) at 3 o’clock. Crafted with a radical isotoxal shape, it includes a patent-pending tripartite hand that carries the 0, 1 and 2, accurately rotating past the 0-9 digits on the right. In pure Roger Dubuis style, the counter stands out with its large red numbers. Activate the chronograph, and the RMC begins its joyful display. The tilted balance wheel at 9 o’clock. A signature of the Maison, it provides the same level of inertia as a tourbillon, ensures a strong resistance to everyday knocks, and allows better resistance to disturbances. Its 12° inclination brings volume to an already multi-layered design, while the diamond-coated silicon escapement wheel is paired with diamond-coated silicon pallet-stones, delivering anti-magnetic qualities. 72 hours of power reserve.
Thrusting this calibre further into pole-position, the RD780 is backed by the indisputable Poinçon de Genève certification. This is undoubtedly one of the most demanding signatures of fine watchmaking. Using 16 different types of finishing overall, the Maison has decorated each of the 333 components, while all functions have to be tested both before and after casing. The ultimate level of assurance that only few can offer.
DNA of a Sports Car
Encapsulating the beauty of a high-performance sports car is a skill that very few watchmakers possess. Roger Dubuis, however, has found its own way to capture that aerodynamic and charismatic spirit, also while incorporating signature touches and intelligent materials.
This year, Lamborghini celebrates 10 years of racing and will compete at the most prestigious level of covered-wheel motorsport in the Le Mans Daytona Hybrid series. For the occasion, the newly-constructed SC63 has been injected with Lamborghini’s iconic Verde Mantis colour. Roger Dubuis is honouring the moment by adorning the new 45mm timepiece in the same vivid shade.
In perfect balance with the Verde Mantis tones, the case is built in lightweight grey carbon, with all the sharp lines, essential notches, and precise symmetry that the Excalibur Spider collection is known for. On top, the ceramic bezel provides hyper resistance to scratches, and is a material that will not tarnish over time.
Together, the carbon and ceramic are a direct tribute to high-tech sports car construction. Yet for this model, the inspiration goes even further. The Lamborghini SC63 is distinctive for the emblematic “Y” shape of its headlights. To mirror this shared detail, the bar on the dial of the watch has been given the same sleek “Y” shape and is filled with Super-LumiNova™*, echoing the shining headlights of the car racing at night.
In fact, everywhere you look, there is an abundance of interesting details. Along with skeletonised pushers, the multidimensional architecture features a variety of different surface levels, all arranged with dynamic angles and heights. This includes a lower date display as well as a floating tachymeter scale with its highlighted 88 in tribute to Mr. Roger Dubuis’ lucky number 8.
Even from the back, the rotor has been shaped with five arms, like the rims of a sports car. Accentuated with the signature sharp lines of Roger Dubuis, it’s another injection of speed to delight the most ardent racing fans.
Finally, to add irresistible style to the wrist, this Flyback Chronograph is presented on a Verde Mantis rubber strap. Notched for extra volume, it features a Quick Release System that ensures the wearer can change the strap in seconds for more versatility.
Limited to 88 pieces only, the Verde Mantis model now joins two other choices in the Flyback Chronograph series, including a version in red and black, and another in khaki green and orange. Together, these three spectacular pieces provide a full range of colourful options, giving sports car enthusiasts the chance to fully express themselves on race day. *Roger Dubuis is not owner of the trademark Super-LumiNova
