Roger Dubuis: The Excalibur Grande Complication is a new masterpiece celebrating 30 years of bold vision

Roger Dubuis, a name synonymous with "Hyper Horology", is marking its 30th anniversary with an extraordinary creation. The Excalibur Grande Complication, a timepiece that combines artistry and engineering, honours the maison’s founder and his enduring passion for watchmaking

A visionary’s dream lives on

Roger Dubuis, the man behind the name, was a watchmaker driven by a singular vision: to push the boundaries of traditional horology. His fascination with complications - mechanical features that go beyond basic timekeeping - defined his career. From perpetual calendars to tourbillons, Dubuis saw these intricate mechanisms as more than technical feats; they were expressions of emotion and craftsmanship.

This ethos continues to inspire the Maison today. The Excalibur Grande Complication embodies this spirit, blending three prestigious complications - a perpetual calendar, a minute repeater, and a flying tourbillon - into one seamless movement. Each element reflects the Maison’s commitment to innovation and tradition.

The Perpetual Calendar: Precision across centuries

The perpetual calendar is a favourite among horological connoisseurs for its complexity. It accounts for the irregularities of the Gregorian calendar, automatically adjusting for months with varying lengths and even leap years. In the Excalibur Grande Complication, this mechanism is designed to remain accurate until the year 2100 without manual correction.

Dubuis himself cherished this complication for its challenge. He once remarked on its difficulty, noting how it "scared everyone." Yet, he approached it with patience and precision, qualities that defined his work. The new timepiece continues this legacy with a Biretrograde display - a feature that allows calendar hands to sweep gracefully across semi-circular scales before resetting.

The Minute Repeater: A symphony of time

The minute repeater is another hallmark of fine watchmaking. Originally designed to chime the time in darkness, it remains one of the most intricate complications to construct. In the Excalibur Grande Complication, this feature is activated by a pusher on the case. It produces a tritone chime known as "the devil’s chord," an unconventional musical interval that adds a bold auditory dimension to the watch.

Dubuis’ approach to sound was as meticulous as his approach to mechanics. Each chime is carefully tuned, turning the timepiece into a miniature instrument. An "all or nothing" mechanism ensures that the repeater only activates when fully engaged, protecting its delicate components.

The Flying Tourbillon: Defying gravity

The tourbillon was another favourite of Dubuis, who saw it as both an aesthetic and functional marvel. By counteracting the effects of gravity on a watch’s accuracy, the tourbillon represents precision at its finest. In this model, it takes centre stage between 5 and 6 o’clock, housed in a lightweight titanium cage inspired by Celtic design.

This flying construction - a signature of Roger Dubuis - adds depth and movement to the dial while showcasing the Maison’s technical prowess. 

Unveiled at Watches and Wonders Geneva 2025, the Excalibur Grande Complication is limited to just eight pieces worldwide. Its 45mm pink gold case features a transparent sapphire crystal back, offering an unobstructed view of its intricate mechanics. Paired with an interchangeable brown calfskin strap, it is as wearable as it is collectible.

Each component (684 in total) is hand-finished to meet the exacting standards of the Poinçon de Genève certification. This hallmark guarantees not only origin but also exceptional quality and precision.

A testament to bold watchmaking

As Roger Dubuis celebrates three decades of innovation, the Excalibur Grande Complication stands as both a tribute and a challenge - a reminder of what has been achieved and what remains possible. For those fortunate enough to own one of these rare pieces, it is more than a watch; it is a piece of history in motion.

Also see: Roger Dubuis: Enter The Excalibur Dragon Monotourbillon