One for the wrist Takers
Roger Dubuis and Pirelli could be onto a winner with their limited edition watches featuring rubber from actual tyres that crossed the finish line first
at first glance, a high-end Geneva watchmaker and a Milanese tyre company may not strike as natural collaborators. But like all the best couples, the more time you spend with them, the more you realise how perfect they are for one another. That’s because Roger Dubuis and Pirelli aren’t just world-famous, leading brands—they’re also constantly experimenting and innovating. And they’re both accustomed to winning.
Roger Dubuis’ Excalibur collection is one of the most famous in the world— aimed at discerning men with a desire for disruptive materials and progressive complications. Creativity and meticulous design are defining characteristics of the Swiss watchmaker.
A presence in sporting competitions since 1907, Pirelli is the sole supplier for Formula One. It is the byword for quality and glamour in the racing world and has a commercial presence in more than 160 countries.
Roger Dubuis, meanwhile, prides itself on its unique branding and stands apart from other Swiss watchmakers by incorporating disruptive materials into its timepieces. That’s where Pirelli comes in. And while it may be a relatively well-trodden road for watch companies and motorsports to team up, this collaboration is entirely new territory.
For the new limited edition timepieces in the Excalibur collection, Roger Dubuis has created straps with inlays made of rubber from actual Pirelli tyres that have been used in races.
So for the superstitious watch lover, this timepiece is worth its weight in gold. Not only has the rubber seen action on a Formula One racetrack, it’s also on a winning streak. Worried about an upcoming deal? You have Hamilton on your side. Anxious about proposing? Don’t be—a world-class automobile is right there on your wrist. There are two models available, both from the Excalibur Spider range: the 47mm Skeleton Double Flying Tourbillon, with just eight watches to be released; and the 45mm Automatic Skeleton, with 88 watches. All of them bear the Geneva Seal, a guarantee of top quality craftsmanship and timekeeping standards for any timepiece made in Switzerland. The racing angle can be seen throughout the design. The Excalibur Spider Pirelli Automatic Skeleton has a double flying tourbillon with the carriages placed side by side within a highly skeletonised movement of 167 components. The seconds are registered by tracks inspired by speedometers on racing cars, while the power reserve of the watch is very similar in design to racing car fuel gauges. It comes with a titanium black DLC case, along with a DLC bezel and crown decorated with red, yellow or blue rubber. Oh, and if your car goes off-track, James Bond style, it is water resistant up to 50 metres. And—roger Dubuis knows that any motor racing fan wants to be close to the action, so they’re also offering an incredible experience for those who buy the limited edition watches. In fact, the excitement already began in May, during the Run to Monaco. Roger Dubuis and Pirelli organised a luxury supercar journey for watch and motor racing fans for the more than 1,000km event, which started in Bordeaux and arrived in time for the Monaco Grand Prix. So if you gave up on your boyhood dreams of becoming the next Formula One champion many years ago, here’s a chance to experience a little bit of the racetrack.