Excalibur Brocéliande

Creative Skeletons

Manufacture Roger Dubuis has already revealed its unique vision of high-end ladies’ creations through a number of highly distinctive jewellery models, delivering a message of paradoxically timeless yet up-to-the-minute femininity.

Its spectacular Creative Skeletons now apply this proven expertise in innovative, inventive and ingenious jewellery timepieces to the Excalibur range, while also interpreting an unequivocally feminine vision of the skeleton.

Excalibur Brocéliande

As visitors to the SIHH 2013 will well remember from the Roger Dubuis World showcased on that occasion, the Excalibur range is inspired by the famous legend of King Arthur, filled with fairytale romance epitomised in the mysterious forest of Brocéliande.

Drawing on these imaginary narratives the designers and movement development engineers of the Manufacture Roger Dubuis have collaborated in unprecedented ways with gem-setting experts in creating a poetic trilogy of creations based on the ivy leaf theme. The first is unveiled at the SIHH 2015.

In a subtle alliance between refined techniques and sophisticated aesthetics, Manufacture Roger Dubuis literally entwines its skeleton-work skills with its instinct for fascinating and original jewellery-inspired creations. A recurrent theme in the natural world as well as in literature and mythology, ivy is believed to symbolise powerful emotional attachment, as well as faithfulness and eternity. As such, it is an ideal emblem of the commitment to honouring women consistently demonstrated by Roger Dubuis.

The Excalibur Creative Skeleton Brocéliande powerfully yet delicately evokes the way in which the foliage of this evergreen plant subtly coils around its host in a symbiotic and almost fusional relationship. Decorative jewellery elements are cleverly entwined with the skeleton flying tourbillon movement and the dial, to the point where they become indistinguishable from each other.

Offering a magical blend of jewellery and watchmaking expertise housed in an Excalibur case, the subtle gem-setting of the leaves ensures that they are all different, while the vines actually embrace the interior of the calibre, interlaced with its bridges. The skeleton inspiration for this ultra-feminine interpretation is drawn from the delicate lattice-work serving to support ivy as it softly and seductively winds its way along walls or fences.

Through an intricate and complex process, the exterior and the skeleton-work movement combine to create a 3D impact an acknowledged Roger Dubuis speciality that takes on special significance here in that it involves intimate cooperation between two very different professions.

As Product Design Director Lionel Favre, who clearly nurtures a passion for these Creative Skeletons, points out: “Jewellers and skeleton-work specialists indeed rarely enjoy such an outstanding opportunity for dialogue and interaction, marrying a world entirely dedicated to beauty and precious gems, with a highly technical form of expertise involving 100th of a micron precision.

This unprecedented collaboration involves eye-watering complexity and a degree of finesse that proves a daunting challenge when working with such tiny motifs. The decorative elements are artfully added to the movement without disturbing its operation, implying extremely delicate assembly within such a small volume.”

In this enticingly eye-catching creation issued in an approx. 3.44-carat, 28-piece limited edition graced with a flamboyant red strap, the set pink gold case with gem-set bezel, lugs and flange frames matching red foliage composed of semi-precious stones in autumnal colours, dotted along slender gold wire ivy branches delicately set with diamonds.

The overall multi-layered 3D impact is further enhanced by the slimmer bezel and flange set with a double rank of brilliant cut diamonds, while a rose-cut diamond set on the crown lends a delightful finishing touch.