As a supplement to the new for 2010 EasyDiver collection (that I wrote about here), Roger Dubuis has released a limited edition EasyDiver Black Swan watch you see before you. These are all revisions of years of EasyDiver watches and/or other sport models from Roger Dubuis – most have been good, all have been interesting.
The Black Swan, as it is called, is named as such for use of a black ceramic bezel. While ceramic bezels are no longer particularly uncommon, this one is interesting given how complex the shape is. It is still not nearly as easy to cut ceramic as it is metal. For instance, how many square ceramic cases have you seen? While I don’t know the particular ins and outs of how the bezel was made, I would guess it is significantly more complex than just a ring-shaped ceramic bezel. The complexity comes in with the notches and the numerals done in relief.
Compared to the watches from 2010 the Black Swan certain has more of a night look. I would go so far as to say “black swan” look. Is that like black sheep? Black Swan makes me think of something dark and elegant – which I guess in a sense this watch is. Mostly I think back to other names that Roger Dubuis added to its dive watches that are equally silly such as “SAW” (sport activity watch), and Seamore.
Aside from the black ceramic bezel the case is in steel and 46mm wide. There are carbon fiber inserts on the sides of the case (which you can see if you like to the previous article above). Quality and comfort are high for this range. The Black Swan comes in three dial choices. All that changes on each are the hands and hour indicators. What do you prefer, black, white, or orange lume?
Other than the bezel and minor dial changes the EasyDiver Black Swan is the same watch as the 2010 new model as far as I can tell. Inside the watch is a Roger Dubuis in-house made caliber RD821 automatic movement. The watches are water resistant to 300 meters and come on nice rubber straps. Unfortunately the price is pretty high, even though there will only be 88 Black Swan watches made. Up from about $13,000 for the 2010 Roger Dubuis EasyDiver models, the Black Swan will retail for around $20,000 (13,900 Euros).