Introducing: The Roger Dubuis Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph In Lamborghini Squadra Corse Green
There’s a new “hyperwatch” on the starting grid. It’s the Roger Dubuis Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph in Verde Mantis. This energetic green hue also dominates the livery of the SC63, the first Lamborghini hybrid racing car prototype that will race in the 92nd 24 Hours of Le Mans this weekend. The car also competes in the FIA World Endurance Championship (Hypercar class) and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (GTP class). The watch, however, is in a class of its own. This third version of the chronograph that debuted in 2023 is a boutique-exclusive LE of 88 pieces bearing the Poinçon de Genève and plenty of high-performance DNA.
Last year, Roger Dubuis launched two Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph models. First came the black and red DBEX1046 that we had the pleasure to see live at the “RD” manufacture. Then, later that year, came the Revuelto model in green and orange, reference DBEX1045. The Revuelto is indeed a Lamborghini and the brand’s first HPEV (High-Performance Electrified Vehicle). The newest version of the chronograph, reference DBEX1102, also shares a link to the famous Italian carmaker from Sant’Agata Bolognese. But it’s not by name this time but, instead, by color. Verde Mantis is an almost dangerous-looking green. The intense hue looks highly poisonous and, most importantly, fast. That must be the association with Lamborghini.
Lamborghini SC63
Introducing the Roger Dubuis Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph hyperwatch
When you think “Roger Dubuis,” you might think “tourbillon.” That makes sense. The brand from Meyrin does have a lot of those “whirlwinds” in the collection. But the young brand debuted in 1995 with a chronograph — a very complicated one. Yes, the distinctly shaped Sympathie Bi-Retrograde Perpetual Calendar Chronograph was more than “just” a chronograph, but still, it was (also) a chronograph. The caliber inside was the RD5637, an intricate movement that used the Lemania 2310 as a base. The movement inside the Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph is an in-house affair and the brand’s fifth manufacture chronograph caliber, no less. The automatic caliber RD780 debuted last year in the two previously mentioned references, and now it also powers the third version of the flyback chronograph.
What makes a hyperwatch? Is it the looks or the “engine”? Both, I would say. And I will start with the very distinct “motor.” The caliber RD780 inside is a micromechanical construction consisting of 334 components. This fully integrated chronograph might have the looks of a futuristic machine, but it also bears the traditional and prestigious Poinçon de Genève. That means the movement was made in the canton of Geneva, it deviates less than 60 seconds per week, and the decoration was done by hand. The very “revealing” movement has been built from scratch and shows several interesting technical features, some traditional and groundbreaking.
The ins and outs of caliber RD780
The traditional column wheel, which ensures smooth operation, makes an appearance here, as you would expect from a high-end chronograph. It’s visible at 6 o’clock.
The RD780 also utilizes a vertical clutch, which allows the gearing to go up and out in one swift, direct movement as the column wheel turns. This makes the starting and stopping of the chronograph seconds hand crisp and precise. Way less traditional is the innovative, patent-pending Second Braking System (SBS). This component decreases “flicker” and stabilizes the chronograph seconds hand.
And there’s more — a tilted balance wheel at 9 o’clock, for instance. According to RD, the 12° tilt results in better protection from shocks. It also raised the level of inertia of the balance wheel to the same standard as a tourbillon. An antimagnetic, diamond-coated silicon escapement wheel matched with diamond-coated silicon pallet stones also helps ensure great precision. The five-arm rotor inspired by Lamborghini’s five-spoke wheels doesn’t look like a traditional winding weight. However, despite its symmetry, it still spins efficiently like one.
Probably the most unusual aspect of the movement is the 120° Rotating Minute Counter (RMC) at 3 o’clock. The minute counter of the chronograph includes a patent-pending hand consisting of three parts. The three parts of the hand carry the 0, 1, and 2, and that hand rotates past the 0 to 9 digits, making it act as an analog 30-minute counter. The outcome is an easy-to-read, intuitive counter with a very complex construction.
The looks of a high-performance sports car
The 45 × 17.13mm case is executed in carbon fiber, is water resistant to 100 meters, and features a ceramic bezel showing the distinct notches that characterize the Excalibur. Its transparent case back ensures you can have a good look at the spinning wheel — sorry, “rotor.” The dial isn’t much of a dial, just as you would expect from the open-worked Excalibur Spider models. This watch also boasts open-worked pushers and a partially open-worked movement, with the lack of a large dial creating an architectural, three-dimensional watch face.
The Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph is by no means a small watch, but with details like the floating tachymeter scale, the deeply placed date indicator at 6 o’clock, and the sharp, open-worked hour and minute hands, it doesn’t seem like a massive watch either. Indeed, transparency helps to create a spacious composition. If you find yourself in the vicinity of the Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph, please use the opportunity to grab a magnifying glass and get a closer look at the movement. You will see no fewer than 16 different finishes applied to the surfaces of the 334 components.
What about a “tire change?”
What do you think of the black rubber strap with a green rubber inlay? It comes with a black DLC-treated titanium triple-folding clasp. And because both the strap and clasp have a quick-release system, strap changes are easy. Well, as long as you stick to RD straps, that is; the triple-lug construction doesn’t allow straps from third-party strap makers. The green is, of course, linked to the Lamborghini theme and also shows up on the bezel, the movement bridges on the dial side, the numbers of the Rotating Minute Counter, and the tachymeter scale. There are also touches of contrasting, sporty red to support the green. The green touches on the watch are very subtle but way bolder on the strap. This strap is very prominent indeed and extremely detailed with its different notches and patterns.
A full-black alternative would tone things down a bit without changing the watch’s spectacular characteristics. I wrote this before when reviewing the first iteration of the Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph, and I will write it again: a matching bracelet in ceramic would look stunning on this watch. The Excalibur Monobalancier Titanium 42 is living proof that it works.
The price of the third Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph is set at €95,833 / US$107,500 before taxes. For that amount, you get an 88-unit boutique-exclusive timepiece with plenty of Verde Mantis color details. You also get a Lamborghini-branded box, not a matching car. But if you can afford the watch, you can probably also afford the car. If not, take a look at the LEGO Lamborghini Huracán in Verde Mantis.
For more information, please visit the official Roger Dubuis website.
