We often revel over the best watches for their unique and individual take on telling the time. But being unique doesn't always mean the inspiration is unique.
This year, the Chinese Zodiac will move over into the Year of the Dragon. That's a theme we've seen employed by great swathes of watchmakers – a Hamilton Ventura, a group of Swatch watches and a Bell & Ross model have all been released in the past few weeks.
Now, another model has joined the stable – and this one might be the most interesting yet! Coming from haute horology manufacturer, Roger Dubuis, the Excalibur Dragon Monotourbillon is a sumptuous display of engineering elegance.
Earning the prestigious Poinçon de Genève certification, this watch is designed more like a work of art than a means of telling the time. Every single piece is hand finished, showcasing the sheer passion which goes into each timepiece from the brand.
Still, it's not just resting on the backstory. This is a watch with an exceptional spec sheet to match. A 42mm pink gold case surrounds the movement itself. That case sits 12.62mm thick, with 100m of water resistance on offer, and a display case back on the rear.
That plays home to that stunning movement. Crafted from 194 individual pieces, this is a masterpiece of engineering which looks absolutely staggering. It's not just a pretty face, though, with 72 hours of power reserve on offer. It's a 3Hz movement too.
Lashings of that same pink gold mix can be found all over this watch. The hands and buckle are both crafted from the same mix, while the bezel and the indices are made from brass. Black SuperLumiNova is used for the indices, too.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
Let's be frank though, the beauty of this piece is the real selling point. The combination of a brass dragon, combined with a skeletonised dial and an openwork movement is a real work of art.
You'll need to be two things to get your hands on one, though – rich and lucky. The luck is needed because just 28 boutique exclusive pieces of this model will be made. The richness is to afford the £204,500 RRP. Still, if you have the cash to spare, it's certainly nice to look at.
Sam is an award-winning journalist with over six years of experience across print and digital media. As T3’s Senior Staff Writer, Sam covers everything from new phones and EVs to luxury watches and fragrances. Working across a range of different social media platforms alongside his written work, Sam is a familiar face for fans of T3. When he’s not reviewing snazzy products or hunting for stellar deals, Sam enjoys football, analog photography and writing music.
-
One running shoe brand seems to dominate all running distances on Strava – can you guess which?
Nike dominates the Strava leaderboard, but it's not just about shoes – the 2024 Year in Sport Trend Report reveals how athletes train, race, and socialise today
By Matt Kollat Published
-
Energy expert reveals ideal temperature for your thermostat this winter
Were you aware of this?
By Lizzie Wilmot Published