The hyper-horology Swiss watch brand Roger Dubuis is known for creating avant-garde timepieces. One of its most popular and flagship lines is the Excalibur, known for featuring architectural and open-work skeleton movements. Extending the line, the brand has now announced a new Excalibur The Kabuto Legacy, a limited-edition timepiece of 28 pieces.
Staying true to its high-horology spirit, the latest creation draws inspiration from 17th-century Japan, an era when rival warlords and their samurai armies fought for control of a divided country. Eventually, three great leaders united the nation, ushering in an era of peace and prosperity, with Edo Castle becoming the symbolic heart of this new political order.
Bringing that aesthetic into watchmaking, the brand’s new Excalibur The Kabuto Legacy features a dial inspired by the craftsmanship of traditional samurai Kabuto helmets, which are placed as hour markers. These micro-sculpted helmets are handcrafted in 18-karat pink gold through the Métiers d’Art, with each requiring two to three days to perfect. The most difficult part was creating the ornamentation at the front of the Kabuto, which was a signature of samurai lords.
Moreover, the centre of the dial features miniature Edo Castle in traditional Japanese indigo, which was used in samurai culture. This tribute further extends to the sapphire crystal caseback, which features twelve laser-engraved crests on a blue-coated pink-gold ring, while also revealing the rotor. The watch is powered by an in-house calibre, RD821, boasting a 60-hour power reserve. It is a 45 mm watch completed with a blue calfskin leather strap.
To bring the watch to life, the brand collaborated with Frederik Cryns, Professor of Japanese History and a consultant on the Emmy-winning TV series Shōgun, to maintain historical authenticity.
Images: Courtesy brand
Also Read :
Krayon’s new Anywhere Parhelion is here
|
6 Indian microbrands that we’ve come across recently
|
Forward March: Inside the Tudor Manufacture and the Kenissi movement-making facility
|
Tissot expands the Seastar 2000 Professional collection with five new dive watches
More In news
Sign up for our newsletters to have the latest stories delivered to your inbox
