What happens when legends collide? Especially when those legends are in different fields. Last year, Roger Dubuis, Lamborghini and Pirelli joined forces, and their unique partnership created the racing-inspired Roger Dubuis Excalibur Spider Pirelli Double Flying Tourbillon. The skeleton timepiece was not only a technically impressive watch with twin tourbillons front and centre, it also sported a rubber strap created from a Pirelli tyre that was actually used in a professional race. The watch helped connect the Roger Dubuis brand with high-performance motorsports and provided both racing fans and watch enthusiasts with an exciting and exclusive product. Replica Roger Dubuis and Pirelli are back again this year with a new Roger Dubuis Excalibur Spider Pirelli, but this time with just one single flying tourbillon.
Immediately after the Monaco F1 Grand Prix earlier in May, Roger Dubuis introduced the “second season” of the Excalibur Spider Pirelli with a digital launch. The strap, once again created from a race-driven Pirelli tyre – this time, the ones that equip F1 cars – surprised spectators as it matched the colours of the winning car’s tyres.
Buyers won’t be limited to those colours, however, as a complementary Pit Stop Collector Box will include seven interchangeable straps that match the colours of Pirelli’s entire portfolio of racing tyres from last season. Part of the Pirelli logo and a code used by Pirelli to track its winning tyres will also appear on the strap (the code will also be on the Certificate of Authenticity). And in keeping with motorsport tradition, the straps feature a Quick Release System (QRS) that allow them to be interchanged in less than three seconds (a genuine pit stop).
Looking at the watch itself, there is a black DLC-coated titanium case with speedometer-like seconds counter and automobile-inspired pointers surrounding the rim, keeping with the racecar vibe. The new trigger and bridge designs with a new RD508SQ hand-wound movement with a state-of-the-art black Astral Skeleton motif are fully visible from the front and back. Special complications include a single flying tourbillon at 7 o’clock and a multi-coloured power reserve indicator that resembles a racecar’s fuel gauge between 9 and 10 o’clock. It’s similar in style to the Roger Dubuis Pulsion Skeleton Flying Tourbillon (minus the power-reserve indicator) that we reviewed a few years ago and the overall aesthetic is bold with a simple complexity, looking clean and intricate at the same time. And the complications are all on show for a great view of what makes this timepiece tick. All of the racecar-inspired features, from the power reserve indicator to the authentic Pirelli strap, culminate in a timepiece that really reflects professional motorsports.
This particular boutique edition is limited to 28 pieces, but a second version without the boutique Pit Stop Collector Box (but with an additional, unique strap to celebrate the new design) will be available in select speciality stores.
Roger Dubuis Excalibur Spider
