The bite of icy air, the crunch of tires on hard packed snow and the thrill of truly money can’t buy experiences was the exhilarating setting for the adrenaline-packed launch of the new Roger Dubuis titanium-studded Excalibur Spider Pirelli Sottozero at the Lamborghini Winter Accademia in Livigno, Italy. Taking exciting high octane exploits to unprecedented new levels and inspired by the avant-garde designs and technical mastery of both its partners —tire maker Pirelli on one hand and Lamborghini Squadra Corse on the other— Roger Dubuis races off the grid in 2018 by offering red-hot performance in super-cold conditions.
Complete with drifting, night-driving and the pure adrenaline rush of testing up to 700 HP on snow and ice, the event was a made in heaven match for the money can’t buy experiences ethos of the Roger Dubuis/Pirelli “Perfect Fit” partnership. Silent snow-capped peaks vibrated to the roar of the supercars, including the record-breaking Huracán Performante, as professional Lamborghini instructors treated automobile aficionados to a thrilling two-day experience of learning to handle the fleet —naturally fitted with Pirelli Sottozero tires. The international benchmark for ice-driving courses, the Lamborghini Winter Accademia has been held annually since 2012, offering guests a uniquely unconventional and unforgettable driving adventure.
Aside from the iconic Roger Dubuis skeleton double flying tourbillon, the unequivocal focus of the 47 mm Excalibur Spider Pirelli Sottozero comes down to the latter. It is inspired by Pirelli’s legendary Sottozero winter tires, which were the protagonists of the Lamborghini Winter Accademia. The guests of the driving school organized by the automaker from Sant’Agata Bolognese were in fact able to try a particular version of the Pirelli Sottozero 3, specially studded for the occasion. A white ceramic bezel with blue markings offsets the titanium and sapphire crystal case proffering an incredible view of the new RD105SQ hand-wound calibre, signature blue Astral Skeleton and multi-colored power reserve indicator representing a cool nod to racing-car cockpit fuel gauges. Speedometer-like seconds counters enhanced with automobile-inspired pointers rim the emblematic flying tourbillons at 5 and 7 o’clock respectively.
Forcefully expressing the ‘disruptive materials and progressive complications’ mantra of the brand that dares to be different, the real surprise in the Excalibur Spider Pirelli Sottozero lies in the strap. A classic case of details that are no minor detail. Like its predecessors, this distinctive strap features rubber inlays from certified Pirelli tires and an interior reproducing the profile of a Pirelli Cinturato intermediate tire; but this time it is also adorned on top with legendary tread motifs reproducing the profile of the best in class Pirelli Sottozero tire. Characterized by this elegant tread pattern with an asymmetric design, it is set with dozens of titanium studs emulating the nails in its namesake designed for better grip under icy conditions.
A bold and thoroughly exclusive statement of uncompromising quality, design and innovation, the Excalibur Spider Pirelli Sottozero is limited to just eight pieces intended for the ultimate watchmaking connoisseurs.
Sticker Price TBC. For more info on Roger Dubuis click here.
