The Genevian watchmaker, Roger Dubuis, has recently launched a trio of its Excalibur 42 Automatic with precious stone dials – lapis lazuli, onyx and mother-of-pearl. Each timepiece is equipped with a high standard movement, each of which bears the Geneva Seal.
This year’s Roger Dubuis models are produced in a limited quantity of 188 pieces each. In my opinion, the most attractive model of the trio is a vibrant lapis lazuli.
Roger Dubuis Excalibur 42 Automatic Watches
These watches boast very simple design and they have only two faceted hands (hour and minute) which provide an unimpeded view of the gorgeous gemstones. Its brushed sunray effect graphic dial features elongated Roman numerals that radiate from the center, and the brand’s logo at the 12 o’clock position.
Roger Dubuis Excalibur 42 Automatic Onyx Watch Detail
Caliber RD620 mechanical movement, stamped with the prestigious Hallmark of Geneva, is housed in a mid-sized case with the diameter of 42 mm. The self winding movement provides 52 hours of power reserve when fully wound and it is equipped with a micro-rotor that has become a Roger Dubuis signature. The impeccable mechanism is visible through the sapphire crystal case back.
On the right side of the case, there is a crown without a crown protection. Still, the new Roger Dubuis Excalibur trio preserved a rugged look thanks to its strong and sharp angles. The watch case incorporates a typical bezel for this collection and provides 30 meters (100 feet) of water resistance.
Roger Dubuis Excalibur 42 Automatic Mother-of-Pearl Watch
Roger Dubuis offered three different dial options. The first model sports a mother-of-pearl dial and a pink gold case, while the two other versions are housed in white gold cases and you can choose between a striking lapis lazuli dial and a superb Onyx variant.
Besides gold versions, the Genevian manufacturer also offered more affordable Excalibur 42 wristwatches crafted from stainless steel. Each of these new Roger Dubuis timepieces comes with a superb leather Mississippiensis strap.
Lapis Lazuli
Lapis lazuli is a blue rock formed from the mineral lazurite and it is regarded by many people worldwide as the stone of friendship and truth. The name is formed from ‘lapis’, the Latin word for stone, and ‘azula’, which comes from the Arabic and means blue.
Roger Dubuis Excalibur 42 Automatic Lapis Lazuli Watch
Egyptian cultures made a practice of burying this ancient gem with their dead, and believed it to offer protection. Also, the very earliest cultures appreciated lapis lazuli more highly than gold. For example, the Greeks spoke of an ancient sapphire which was included with gold and this was undoubtedly lapis. Finally, some people believed that dreaming of lapis would foretell love that would be forever faithful.
Onyx
Onyx was widely popular with the ancient Greeks and Romans. The name is composed from the Greek word ‘onyx’, which means the nail of a finger or claw. The legend of the origin of black onyx says that one day, while Venus was sleeping, Cupid cut her fingernails and left the clippings scattered on the ground. Because no part of a heavenly body can die, the gods turned them into stone which later became known as onyx. Onyx may be a multilayered black and white stone, usually with a black base and a white upper layer. Also, it may be brown and white, or red and white. It has a long history of use for hardstone carving and jewelry, where it is usually cut as a cabochon.
Roger Dubuis Excalibur 42 Automatic Onyx Watch
