When it comes to Roger Dubuis, “simple” is a relative term. The new Roger Dubuis Excalibur Monobalancier Titanium RDDBEX0956 is a simple watch for the brand. Arguably one of the most straightforward watches it offers, it’s more or less the classic Excalibur now rendered in titanium. This watch has seen previous iterations in pink gold and stainless steel (on bracelet), as well as variations that turn the watch into a rave and simpler versions on rubber straps. But if you want a dead simple, colorless design on a bracelet (that’s still a Roger Dubuis), that’s where the new titanium edition comes in.
The new titanium Excalibur Monobalancier is the lightest full-metal offering from the brand, thanks to its material. 33% lighter than the stainless steel option and in a monochromatic warm grey that is continued through the dial flange and the movement finishing, the new model measures the same as previous editions, with a 42mm case and an AR-coated sapphire crystal. The watch features what appears to be exceptional finishing with a blend of polished and brushed surfaces, along the brand’s trademark notched bezel and triple-lug design. The quick-release bracelet continues the dramatic design of the case, with unique U-shaped center links and a butterfly deployant clasp. The case achieves 100m of water resistance with a notched crown that echoes the bezel’s design (dare I say it looks like an actual crown?) and has the stylized RD logo in relief.
The dial of the watch shows off the movement almost in its entirety. The Excalibur dial is most recognizable by the star that explodes from the jewel of the mainspring barrel, here coated in NAC for a dramatic dark effect. The partially skeletonized hands are made from satin-brushed white gold and feature lume on their tips. The most dramatic element of the movement on the Monobalnicer models is the micro-rotor at 10 o’clock; designed to minimize vibrations, it has a blocky futuristic look that sets it apart from more mundane rotors. A dark grey flange offers minute markers and lumed hour notches. In addition, the brand name and “Swiss Made” text are fully lumed with Super-LumiNova.
The Excalibur Monobalancier Titanium runs on the in-house RD720SQ movement, which has 178 components including 32 jewels. The primary bridge mirrors the dial’s striking star and is similarly NAC-coated. The movement operates at 28,800 vph with a power reserve of 72 hours. The skeletonized movement is something of a hallmark for Roger Dubuis’ Excalibur collection, and the brand’s commitment to doing it right is clear with the carveouts placed perfectly to allow the wearer to appreciate the rotor, balance, and even the mainspring’s unwinding, to an extent. Of course, as with all Roger Dubuis movements, it receives the coveted Poinçon de Genève.
Roger Dubuis makes wild watches that seem squarely aimed at wild people. No one just owns a Roger Dubuis and no other watches. The watches the brand produces are exotic and extreme. With that in mind, the Excalibur Monobalancier Titanium is rather staid and offers something for well-heeled fans of the brand who may have previously been put off by all the flashiness of its other models. The Roger Dubuis Excalibur Monobalancier Titanium RDDBEX0956 is priced at $66,500 USD. For more information, please visit the brand’s website.