Home » The Salon International De La Haute Horlogerie » SIHH 2017 Preview – Roger Dubuis Excalibur Quatuor Cobalt Micro-Melt Watch
For the house of Roger Dubuis the next year will be about its iconic Excalibur collection. At the upcoming SIHH 2017, besides the new version of the Excalibur Spider Skeleton Automatic, the Swiss manufacturer will also present the impressive Excalibur Quatuor Cobalt MicroMelt Watch featuring a high-performance material dubbed cobalt chrome alloy which is used in aerospace technology and in astronomy.
Roger Dubuis Excalibur Quatuor Cobalt Micro-Melt is a modern and colorful interpretation of the Excalibur Quatuor which was introduced at the SIHH 2013. At the time, this model was the first watch fitted with four separate balances combined in two pairs. So far, we have seen this model in 18-karat red gold, as well as in DLC-coated titanium case and in monobloc silicon, and now it is time for a cobalt-chrome alloy.
The alloy undergoes a patented process which is known as the Micro-Melt powder metallurgy process. In this process, the pre-formed alloy kept in a state of vacuum is melted and refined, then forced through a stream of high-pressure inert gas, which dissipates the melted alloy into extremely fine and homogeneous metal alloy powder of high chemical purity. Further on, the powder is screened to separate it by particle size and blended before being poured into containers that undergo hot isostatic pressing. This is the final step in the process which reduces porosity and increases density of the alloy which becomes solid and ready to be machined.
The alloy which is widely associated with aeronautics and astronomy is 100% biocompatible, corrosion-resistant and extremely durable. This material is used for the case, bezel, case back and crown.
The new Excalibur Quatuor Cobalt Micro-Melt is powered by the iconic caliber RD101 with four sprung balances and five differentials. The impeccable movement consists of nearly 600 individual components and is built on 113 rubies. It has unique blue PVD coated plate and bridges.
It took 2,400 hours for Roger Dubuis team to create this complex caliber, including 720 hours devoted to the Poinçon de Genève. The mechanism operates at the amazing frequency of 115,200 vibrations per hour (16 Hz).
The Excalibur Quatuor Cobalt MicroMelt is housed in a large case measuring 48mm in diameter and 18.38mm in thickness. The dial and flange are coated with blue PVD, and the main dial features a red and white speedometer-styled minute track and rhodium plated index. The red-tipped hands feature SuperLuminova highlights. A 40-hour power reserve display is placed at the 9 o’clock position, whilst the Poinçon de Genève inscription is shown at the 6 o’clock position.
This eye-catching newcomer is teamed up with a blue alligator strap with red stitches. The folding clasp is made out of Grade 5 titanium. The watch will be issued in the ultra-limited series of only 8 pieces of which one will be dedicated to a U.S. customer. The retail price will be about 390,000 Swiss francs.
