Roger Dubuis Excalibur Spider Huracán MB: from track to wrist

Roger Dubuis defines his approach to watchmaking “hyper horology” not by chance. Design, technical solutions, research on new materials and the constant desire to go beyond what is already known, in recent years have placed the brand on a level unattainable for many other brands. Thanks also to consolidated partnerships that are perfect in terms of sharing ideals and DNA, such as the one with Lamborghini.

The relationship between the two brands has lasted since 2017 when, on 20 September, in the Lamborghini headquarters in Sant’Agata Bolognese, the presentation of the partnership between Roger Dubuis and Lamborghini Squadra Corse was announced as a world premiere. «Like Lamborghini, we too produce” engines “that stand out for their exceptional quality and cutting-edge performance».

The first result of the union of intentions was the Excalibur Aventador S, which was followed by models that have now entered the history of the brand such as the Excalibur Spider Huracan, declined in different versions that use carbon, ceramic, titanium or rose gold for the construction of their complex architecture.

GUEST OF ROGER DUBUIS AND LAMBORGHINI

A partnership that does not feed only on watches on the wrist, but which brings them to the track in the true sense of the word, together with the supercars of Sant’Agata Bolognese. As happened from 28th to 30th October, when Roger Dubuis and Lamborghini invited customers and friends of the brand to the Misano circuit, for a three-day event of watchmaking and engines, as part of the Super Trofeo Lamborghini World Final, the final event of the sports season promoted by Lamborghini.

Watch Insanity had the privilege of being the only media present for Italy, an exclusive that brought us to the heart of the event and made us live as protagonists both the emotions of the track and the moments dedicated to haute horology which, as we will tell you in a few lines, did not disappoint the fans.

Between watchmaking workshops, track experiences, informal dinners in a relaxed atmosphere, Roger Dubuis’ guests breathed from within the emotions that the two brands experience every day and had the opportunity to witness the unveiling of the new extreme watch of the Geneva brand: Excalibur Spider Huracán MB, inspired by the Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo EVO 2. The timepiece was presented by the Ceo of Roger Dubuis Nicola Andreatta together with Giorgio Sanna, Head of Lamborghini Motorsport, and Maurizio Reggiani, Cto of Lamborghini.

In this case, “inspiration” is exactly the right word, because the watch is a sort of synthesis between the sporting soul of the Lamborghini Huracán and the watchmaking excellence of Roger Dubuis. Aesthetics, materials, performance, technical solutions are the four pillars on which the timepiece and the car each base their construction philosophy, sharing both the design vision and the final result, dynamic and super-performing.

EXCLUSIVE CALIBER AND EXCLUSIVE AESTHETICS

And now let’s talk about the watch whose name, as you can see, is characterized by an acronym, MB. It stands for monobalancier, that is single balance wheel, the characteristic that distinguishes the RD630 automatic caliber that moves the Excalibur Spider Huracán MB, housed in a male-sized case of 45 mm. The details of the watch design echo the hexagonal patterns that characterize Lamborghini, from the dashboard to the tailpipes, but the correspondences are also hidden inside the timepiece.

When viewed from the back, the semi-skeletonized in-house caliber reveals a 360-degree oscillating mass that follows the rim design of a Hurácan and, turning at speed, reproduces the like-for-like effect of the wheel in motion. Speaking of caliber, the hallmarks associated with Lamborghini Squadra Corse are the 12 degrees tilted balance wheel – optimizing its performance – and the twin barrels, which provide a power reserve of 60 hours, the minimum for a watch that wants to define extreme.

RESEARCH ON MATERIALS

Roger Dubuis’s Excalibur Spider Huracán MB owes much to automotive inspiration also in terms of materials. This is a filed in which the brand invests heavily in research and development, to characterize its timepieces with innovative and often unique materials. As in the case of this watch, whose case is made of SMC carbon, a thermosetting composite developed by the manufacture.

Basically, SMC carbon (Sheet Molding Compounds) is a composite reinforced with carbon fiber that comes in sheets, particularly suitable for the compression molding of medium-large flat geometries. Precisely for this reason it is similar to that used for the monocoque chassis and the body panels of the Lamborghini Huracán. A more common black DLC titanium was used on the bezel.

A MATTER OF AFFINITY

The affinities between the racing cars and Roger Dubuis’ watch continue in the winding crown, whose shape recalls that of the Huracán’s wheel nuts, and in the strut-bar bridge on the top of the caliber, which recalls the strut bars – rigid links between the suspension struts that reduce the torsion of the chassis and allow greater precision in driving – of the Lamborghini V10 engine.

The aesthetics of the timepiece are also captivating and sophisticated, as are its technical solutions. In fact, the watch is dressed by an original khaki green livery dotted with splashes of electrifying orange. An aesthetic that extends to the strap, an integral part of the watch. The one of Roger Dubuis’s Excalibur Spider Huracán MB – easily replaceable thanks to a quick release system – is made from a combination of rubber and Alcantara, to be comfortable and flexible; the inner lining is decorated with the Pirelli P Zero Trofeo pattern, the same as the racing tyres.

As in the best tradition of Roger Dubuis’s watches, the Excalibur Spider Huracán MB is also produced in a limited edition of 88 pieces. After all, excellence is not for everyone and when Nicola Andreatta, defines the brand’s passionate customers as a hedonistic tribe, he hits the mark. Because both Roger Dubuis watches and the Lamborghini partner’s cars are objects made for pleasure, created for the few: for the few who know how to live their essence, enjoying it moment by moment. (Price €. 59.500)

By Davide Passoni