This year at the SIHH 2017, Roger Dubuis announced its partnership with Pirelli and a strategy based on disruptive materials and progressive complications. As part of their new alliance with Pirelli, there are two new watches —the Excalibur Spider Pirelli Double Flying Tourbillon and the Excalibur Spider Pirelli Automatic Skeleton — that we'll talk about in a couple of days. A watch that is not part of this alliance but one of the most impressive timepieces unveiled at the Salon this year is the new Roger Dubuis Excalibur Quatuor Cobalt Micro-Melt.
This new watch joins the other Excalibur Quatour released previously, now with its 48 mm diameter case made of a special Cobalt Chrome alloy. Along with the case, the bezel, case back and crown are also made of cobalt chrome. This high-performance alloy is produced using an extremely exclusive technology called and which is only used by 0.1% of the metallurgy industry globally. Unfortunately, no further details have been provided by Roger Dubuis regarding this process.
The Dial
Featuring a blue PVD coated dial with red and white printed minute track, blue PVD coated flange, rhodium plated indexes, hands in white gold with red tips and power reserve indicator at 9 o’clock, the look of the watch is very futuristic and intense. The skeletonized dial features four sprung balances on each corner that create a spectacle capable of mesmerizing anyone that stares at it. The dial is extremely nicely done with a satin brushed finish and very impressive in terms of construction, depth and design.
The Movement
When it comes to progressive complications, Roger Dubuis cuts no corners. The Excalibur Quatuor Cobalt Micromelt is powered by the 590-part and 113-jewel manual wound RD101 Quatuor movement. This sophisticated movement equipped with four sprung balances and five differentials, beats at a frequency of 28,800 vph x 4 —115,200 vph. Instantly achieving what the tourbillon takes a full minute to accomplish —compensating for the rate variations caused by the effects of gravity on a watch—, this movement provides a power reserve of 40 hours when fully wound. The movement features a very unique construction with satellite sprung balance wheels and an oval skeletonized mainplate in blue PVD bearing the 'Poinçon de Genève'.
The Strap
Complimenting the blue and red accents on the dial of the new Roger Dubuis Excalibur Quatuor Cobalt Micromelt, the watch is equipped with a striking blue alligator strap with red contrast stitching. The strap is fitted with a titanium grade 5 folding clasp.
On the Wrist & Pricing
On the wrist, the new Roger Dubuis Excalibur Quatuor Cobalt Micro-Melt wears slightly bigger than its actual size and quite high on the wrist due to its massive thickness at 18.38 mm. In terms of look and feel, the cobalt chrome alloy is very similar to stainless steel and almost as heavy. While this new watch is definitely not made for everyone, it is without a doubt, one of those watches that would turn heads around you. The watch is water resistant to 50 meters and available in a very exclusive limited edition of 8 pieces.
Sticker Price CHF 390,000 Swiss Francs —approximately $395,000 USD. For more info on Roger Dubuis click here.
