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Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph – Discover how Roger Dubuis redefines luxury sports watches with 17 extraordinary features and innovations.
A New Expression of High Horology
Roger Dubuis has long been synonymous with bold innovation in Swiss watchmaking. But with the Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph, the Maison takes a monumental leap — combining the technical elegance of haute horology with the pulse-racing energy of motorsport design.
This watch doesn’t just tell time—it tells a story, one of passion, craftsmanship, and avant-garde engineering.
The Roger Dubuis Legacy in Chronographs
Before launching his eponymous brand in 1995, Mr. Roger Dubuis spent nearly a decade at one of Switzerland’s top Maisons — mastering chronograph movements. His deep-rooted love for this complication laid the foundation for what would become a cornerstone of Roger Dubuis’ DNA.
From the very beginning, chronographs were an integral part of his watchmaking journey. Now, in 2025, we witness the evolution of that legacy in its fifth generation.
Introducing the Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph
Launched in 2023, this fifth-generation chronograph blends dynamic design with ultra-complicated mechanics. It’s an integrated chronograph powered by the newly developed RD780 calibre, tailored for performance and expressive design.
This isn’t just another sporty chronograph—it’s a watch that respects horological tradition while tearing down design boundaries.
The Technical Heart: Calibre RD780
At the heart of this chronograph lies the RD780, an integrated movement developed from scratch. Integrated means the movement wasn’t simply modified for chronograph functions—it was built for it.
Column Wheel: Located at 6 o’clock, the column wheel enhances tactile feedback and ensures smoother operation of the chronograph pushers.
Vertical Clutch: This mechanism minimizes hand-jumping when starting the stopwatch, much like a car’s gearbox ensures smooth gear transitions.
Each component is finely machined and decorated — including the poli zinc-finished column wheel, a technique rarely seen outside ultra-luxury watchmaking.
Exclusive Innovations from Roger Dubuis
Roger Dubuis didn’t just create a new movement — it introduced game-changing innovations:
- Rotating Minute Counter (RMC): At 3 o’clock, the RMC features a rotating, tripartite hand that sweeps over the 0–9 digits in a dramatic, legible dance. It’s unlike any counter on the market.
- Second Braking System (SBS): This patent-pending system improves hand stability and readability, minimizing any flickering of the chronograph seconds hand.
- Cryptodate Feature: A subtle yet artistic nod to date indication that avoids cluttering the dial.
These aren’t just gimmicks — they enhance functionality while maintaining visual appeal.
A Masterpiece of Skeleton Design
Roger Dubuis is the master of skeleton dials — and this model proves it. The dial is built in multiple expressive layers, revealing the inner mechanisms at varying heights. Each glance offers a new perspective.
On the left side, the tilted balance wheel is placed at a 12° angle, offering visual drama and horological complexity.
Craftsmanship That Speaks Volumes
The 45mm case is crafted in 18K pink gold, featuring skeletonized pushers that blend seamlessly with the case architecture.
The Quick Release rubber strap ensures practicality without compromising on luxury.
The Motorsport Connection
Turn the watch around and you’ll find a rotor shaped like a supercar wheel, complete with five arms and sharp angular lines — a nod to Roger Dubuis’ love for motorsports.
The Power Within: Performance and Precision
With a 72-hour power reserve, anti-magnetic escapement parts made from diamond-coated silicon, and a balance wheel that rivals a tourbillon in performance, this watch is designed for both daily wear and technical excellence.
Certified Excellence: Geneva Seal
The Poinçon de Genève is one of the world’s most prestigious horological certifications. To achieve it, all 333 components are finished by hand using 16 distinct techniques, making each timepiece a wearable work of art.
Exclusive and Limited
Only 88 pieces exist worldwide — a tribute to Mr. Roger Dubuis’ favorite number. This number even makes a discreet appearance on the tachymeter scale, a subtle hallmark of exclusivity.
Wearing the Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph
Designed for adventurous aesthetes, this chronograph is for those who chase adrenaline but demand elegance. Whether at the track or the gala, it makes a statement of performance that meets prestige.
Comparison with Other High-End Chronographs
Compared to other elite chronographs, such as the Patek Philippe Nautilus Chronograph or the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore, the Excalibur Spider Flyback stands out for its expressive design, exclusive technology, and limited availability.
Expert Reviews and Collectors’ Praise
Collectors hail it as the perfect blend of heritage and innovation. Experts note its mechanical ingenuity and consider it a future classic.
Where to Buy the Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph
You can purchase this timepiece through:
- Roger Dubuis boutiques worldwide
- Authorized luxury watch dealers
- Official website: Roger Dubuis
FAQs about Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph
Q1: What is the price of the Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph?
A: While pricing may vary, it generally starts around USD 80,000, reflecting its limited status and technical mastery.
Q2: Is the Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph water-resistant?
A: Yes, it is water-resistant up to 100 meters, making it practical for daily wear.
Q3: What makes this chronograph different from others?
A: Exclusive innovations like the RMC and SBS, limited production, and Geneva Seal certification set it apart.
Q4: Can I customize the strap or case?
A: The strap uses a Quick Release system, allowing for easy changes, but the case design remains fixed.
Q5: What does the Geneva Seal certification mean?
A: It certifies that the movement is made, decorated, and assembled in Geneva under the highest standards.
Q6: Why only 88 pieces?
A: 88 is a meaningful number for Mr. Roger Dubuis, symbolizing luck and exclusivity.
A Timeless Fusion of Power, Precision, and Prestige
The Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph isn’t just a watch — it’s a statement. Of heritage. Of artistry. Of raw mechanical genius. For those who appreciate true horological innovation wrapped in expressive design, there’s no comparison.
Movement – Calibre RD780 (Integrated Flyback Chronograph)
The Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph is powered by the in-house Calibre RD780, a self-winding flyback chronograph movement entirely developed by Roger Dubuis. It features a visible column wheel at 6 o’clock and a vertical clutch, which enhances the chronograph’s performance by reducing seconds hand flickering and ensuring precise activation, as detailed in the Roger Dubuis official movement overview.
Two standout innovations are integrated: the patent-pending Second Braking System (SBS) for added stability of the chronograph seconds hand, and the 120° Rotating Minute Counter (RMC) at 3 o’clock, which delivers a dramatic visual effect — both highlighted in this deep dive by Watch I Love.
The 12° angled balance wheel enhances visibility and replicates the performance of a tourbillon, while the diamond-coated silicon escapement offers anti-magnetic protection, as noted in WatchGecko’s feature.
Key Specs:
- 310 components | 39 jewels | 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
- ~36 mm diameter | ~10.7 mm thick
- 72-hour power reserve (SH Silver Listing)
Case & Dimensions
The case measures 45 mm in diameter and approximately 17.13 mm in thickness, crafted from high-tech C‑SMC carbon or 18K pink gold, depending on the reference. These materials offer both lightweight comfort and aesthetic brilliance. The bezel is ceramic, notched, and color-accented to match the sporty designs featured in this Monochrome hands-on review.
The case back is open, showcasing the movement through a sapphire crystal window, framed by DLC-coated titanium — all of which is verified in the official product listing.
Water Resistance: 10 bar (100 meters)
Crown: DLC titanium or pink gold, red/orange lacquer ring
Crystal: Anti-reflective sapphire (front and back)
Dial & Display
An accurate display of skeleton artistry, the multi-layered dial reveals the expressive mechanics beneath. The RMC at 3 o’clock rotates in a tri-hand motion across oversized digits, while the tilted balance wheel at 9 o’clock adds visual flair — both elements captured in The Watch Pages profile.
The hands are crafted from pink or white gold, PVD-coated black with Super-LumiNova tips. Markers are screw-like, rhodium-plated, and luminescent. The two-level flange includes tachymeter and minute tracks with high-contrast color coding.
Some references include a double-digit date display at 6 o’clock, adding functionality without overwhelming the dial, as seen in the Monochrome review.
Strap & Clasp
The watch comes with a rubber strap, featuring race-inspired textures and vibrant colored inlays. Using the Quick Release System, straps can be swapped tool-free — a detail emphasized in the Roger Dubuis product page.
It’s secured with a triple-folding clasp, crafted in either DLC titanium or 18K pink gold, depending on the model, and is also Quick Release compatible.
Certification & Limited Edition
Each timepiece is Geneva Seal certified (Poinçon de Genève), confirming exceptional decoration and watchmaking quality across all 333 individually finished components, as detailed in the “Watch I Love” article.
Only 88 pieces of each reference are made, a tribute to Mr. Roger Dubuis’ lucky number. This detail appears subtly on the tachymeter scale and is confirmed by The Watch Pages.
The open case back reveals a rotor shaped like a supercar wheel, designed with five sharp arms — adding motorsport flair, as shown in Monochrome’s hands-on coverage.
Price
Pricing varies by market and materials, but is generally listed as:
- CHF 104,500
- USD 107,500
- EUR 95,833
