Roger Dubuis started its watchmaking journey 27 years ago, from the beginning stating his ground by creating striking timepieces that quickly caught the attention of watch collectors worldwide for their technical complexity and avant-garde designs.
Their latest adventure reshapes our understanding of Hyper Horology by bringing to life the eighth iteration of their iconic Knights of the Round Table: the Monotourbillon/X. Featuring 12 gravity-challenging knights – each of them different, this fantasy timepiece was first made a reality by Roger Dubuis back in 2013. Merging horological savoir-faire and métiers d’arts excellence, the 28 units produced at the time were snapped within weeks. The new one is no different. Outstanding innovation meets legendary accomplishments in this timepiece. Only eight of them (the late Mr Dubuis’s lucky number) have been made and six of them are already sold.
Translucent purple blocks made of Murano glass appear to levitate around the Monotourbillon.
Measuring 6mm in height, the 12 Knights are placed around a crystal sapphire table (the dial). After sketching, a model of every piece was made in resin at a scale factor of 20, then scanned and downsized before being cast in Pink Gold 750/1000 and crafted individually through micro-sculpture. They sit within translucent purple blocks carved from Murano glass that appear to levitate around the Monotourbillon, which emerges from the centre of the watch, while the double surfaced flange is carved from a single block of the same Venetian material. To realise this effect, eight layers of décor around the dial were needed; a task worth the wizardry of Merlin himself, considering the limited surface area. Underneath the face of the watch is an automatic calibre by Roger Dubuis, certified by the Poinçon de Genève, one of the most prestigious certifications in the world of Haute Horlogerie. The Maison’s quest for peak performance is realised by expanding the diameter of the balance wheel to increase stability and ensure the movement is less sensitive to gravity’s effects.
Each knight took a whole day of work by three engravers to be created.
In keeping with the design and to respect the position of the knight at three o’clock, the setting system is decentred to a position at 2 o’clock. Push down on this function and a small red flag indicates that the timepiece has moved from winding to setting mode.
Available in a 45mm Pink Gold 750/1000 case sealed by a notched bezel, the timepiece is completed with an embossed, triple-folding black calf-leather strap featuring Quick Release System.
Words: Julia Pasarón
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