By Jovan K
Roger Dubuis has introduced the Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph ref. DBEX1138, a timepiece that draws from the world of motorsport while weaving in the house’s penchant for technical bravado.
The 45mm x 17.13mm case mixes pink gold and black DLC-coated titanium, complete with skeletonised pushers that match its high-octane aura. Beating inside is the in-house RD780SQ calibre, a skeletonised self-winding chronograph movement built around a vertical clutch and column wheel. One of the big talking points is the brand’s patent-pending Second Braking System (SBS), a clever tweak that stabilises the chronograph seconds hand to keep it from flickering during use, a detail that the die hard chrono fans will truly appreciate.
The column wheel, set proudly at 6 o’clock on the dial side, doesn’t just sit pretty; it also sharpens up the feel of the pushers, making start/stop/reset actions buttery smooth. At 3 o’clock, things get even more interesting with the 120° Rotating Minute Counter (RMC). It’s shaped in a three-pronged isotoxal style, flashing oversized red numerals as it spins past the 0–9 digits; a spectacle in its own right once the chrono kicks in. On the other side, 9 o’clock hosts a tilted balance wheel sitting at a 12° angle. This brings some tourbillon level visual complexity while staying technically efficient, boosted further by diamond-coated silicon escapement components for durability and anti-magnetism.
Specs wise, the movement runs at 4 Hz (28,800 vph), packs a 72 hour power reserve and in true Roger Dubuis fashion, carries the Poinçon de Genève seal, meaning all 333 parts are finished to Geneva’s famously strict standards. Even the rotor on the caseback plays to the motorsport theme, shaped like a five-arm supercar rim.
Rounding it off, the watch comes on a black rubber strap with quick-release system, is water resistant to 100m and is limited to just 88 pieces; the number even cheekily appears on the tachymeter scale. The price is “on request”, but likely you already know the answer; if you have to ask.
