Our history | Official Roger Dubuis website

Mr. Roger DUBUIS

“I used to pass the clock in the belltower of the church. And then, badaboom, I fell in love with that mechanism.

That’s how my passion for watchmaking was born.”

Mr. Roger Dubuis’ childhood

Mr. Roger Dubuis’ passion for watchmaking began at a young age, when he was inspired by the church clocktower in his local village.

At 15, he began his formal watchmaking education under the student number, 208. His final diploma movement, the 208 Calibre, was awarded the illustrious Poinçon de Genève certification, and today, the lucky “8” is still used to determine our Maison’s limited edition quantities.

His early career

After graduation, Roger worked for 23 years with several renowned brands, while also restoring antique watches in his spare time. This additional work enabled him to further provide for his family, while the experience also enriched his knowledge of certain tools, processes, and mechanisms. It was a passion driven by his willingness to perpetuate the finest traditions of horology.

During the quartz crisis in the late 1970s, he co-founded Le Groupement Genevois des Cabinotiers to help preserve the expert values of horology, while also giving inspiring classes outside to young watchmakers.

His next collaboration was with M.E, led by the talented movement designer Jean-Marc Wiederrecht and his wife Catherine-Esther, who changed the name of the company to P.M.E in tribute to Roger’s “Placide” nickname, which he received during his childhood days as a scout. This partnership produced several calibres and registered patents, including one for the retrograde display.

A home to create dreams

In 1995, at 57 years old, when many others might plan to retire, Mr. Roger Dubuis co-founded his namesake Maison with Carlos Dias, with a mission to create exciting fine timepieces that could not be found anywhere else.

Within the manufacture, Mr. Roger Dubuis loved to pass his knowledge, values, and savoir-faire on to the younger generation of watchmakers. His vision was given new life through their interpretations.

In the final years of his career, he was on hand for technical advice, while also travelling the world to share his passion with friends.

Mr. Roger Dubuis passed away in 2017, yet his vision for perpetuating the finest watchmaking traditions still remains.

The Mastery of Complications

1995 - 2004

In just its first 11 years, Roger Dubuis developed some of the most famous complications in watchmaking, including the tourbillon, minute repeater, biretrograde perpetual calendar, and the split-seconds chronograph. Very few watchmakers have achieved such a milestone in such a short amount of time, and each complication was neatly hidden behind an unconventional and expressive dial.

Foundation of the maison

The first collections

First in-house movements

First in-house patent

Construction of the Manufacture

First in-house regulating organ

The first sports watch

Under the name "SOGEM" (Société Genevoise de Montres), the Maison’s timepieces and catalogues soon carried the words, "Roger Dubuis Horloger Genevois". It wasn’t until 1999 that the company’s name was officially changed to "Manufacture Roger Dubuis SA."

1996

Launch of the Hommage and Sympathie collections. The name Hommage was Roger Dubuis’ tribute to the traditional round shape of the case, and also to all the talented watchmakers from the past. The Sympathie was created to express goodwill towards watch enthusiasts and was notable for its sophisticated and complicated shape.
An unexpected visit from the Sultan of Brunei inspired the Maison to increase its production quantities and fulfil his desire for a timepiece that was no longer available. By extending its series to 28 watches, the number “8” from Mr. Roger Dubuis’ studies became a company signature.
The visit also heralded the first bespoke order of the Maison, the premise we know today as the “Roger Dubuis’ Rarities” service.

1999

The Maison designed and produced its first in-house movements, all certified at the prestigious Poinçon de Genève standard.
Launch of the Much More collection. Born from the urge to innovate and surprise, and "to give much more", the strong personality of this design was inspired by the 1920s.
The Maison debuted at one of the most prestigious international exhibitions in the watchmaking world: the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (now called Watches & Wonders)

2000

The first Roger Dubuis patent for the tri-retrograde display.
Launch of the Too Much collection.

2001 - 2002

Built in 2001, and inaugurated in 2002, the Maison’s integrated manufacture in Geneva became home to its passionate watchmakers, and a place where horological expertise could thrive.
Supported by its integrated manufacture, the Maison gave free rein to its innovative spirit and, in 2002, unveiled no fewer than 11 complicated calibres. This included the combination of multiple complications, such as a perpetual calendar combined with a chronograph, or a perpetual calendar combined with a minute repeater.

2003

The Maison unveiled its first in-house watch regulating organ: the sprung balance. It became instantly fundamental to the Maison’s craft that same year when it was used for the first in-house tourbillon.
Highlighting the creativity and expressivity of the Maison, two new collections where launched, including the Follow Me, with its unexpected cross-shape case, and the Golden Square, with an imposing square-shape case.

2004

Launch of the Maison’s first sports watch, the Sympathie EasyDiver. Known as the first tourbillon sports watch on the market, this was also the first Roger Dubuis case in titanium, and due to the uncommon sight of mechanical sports watches at the time, it featured the words "sport activity watch" engraved on the dial.
Launch of the AquaMare and SeaMore collections.
The Maison's innovative spirit gave birth to a total of eight new calibres that year.

The Artistry is Revealed

2005 - 2014

In 2005, Roger Dubuis unveiled its first skeleton calibre. Now, the expertly crafted complications began to be revealed. No longer hidden behind dials, the movements were on display so that the wearer could admire each complex mechanism and beautifully hand-finished detail.

Birth of the iconic Excalibur

Unstoppable innovative spirit

Joining the Richemont group

First in-house Grande Complication

Inspired by risk-takers

Inspired by divas and go-getters

Legendary timepieces are born

Along with its first skeleton design, the Maison developed two innovative and exclusive calibres: the world premiere double tourbillon skeleton (RD01SQ) and the minute repeater tourbillon (RD08).
Launch of the iconic Excalibur collection. Legend says that a customer once presented Carlos Dias with a real middle-ages sword, suggesting that he and Roger were the fearless and chivalric knights of watchmaking. This moment almost certainly inspired the name of the new collection.

2006

The commitment to innovation continued with the unveiling of six new movements, including two tourbillon-based calibres (RD05, RD09), two chronograph-based calibres (RD78, RD79) and two calendar-based calibres (RD48, RD77).

2008

While maintaining the independent spirit of its manufacture, Roger Dubuis joined the Richemont group, signaling the start of a brand-new chapter.
Launch of the King Square collection. Distinguished by its unique architectural lines, this became one of the most recognizable Roger Dubuis designs, especially for the three facets on its sapphire glass.

2009

Roger Dubuis’ first in-house Grande Complication timepiece was launched featuring an in-line perpetual calendar, a minute repeater and a tourbillon.

2011

Launch of the Monegasque collection. Evoking a casino aesthetic and the spirit of taking risks, this remains the one and only cushion case made by Roger Dubuis.

2012

Launch of two new collections. Velvet, inspired by the world of the diva, was the first feminine collection created by the Maison. Pulsion, inspired by adrenaline, action and challenge, included a marketing campaign featuring the actor and comedian, Tomer Sisley.

2013

The Excalibur Quatuor timepiece (RD101) arrived, boasting three patented world premieres. As well as being the Maison’s first timepiece to feature a power reserve indicator, it was also the first calibre with four sprung balances and five differentials to compensate the Earth's gravity.
Launch of the first Knights of the Round Table timepiece, celebrating Métiers d'Art through an exciting interpretation of the Arthurian legend.

Inspiration For a Modern World

2015 - 2024

Throughout this decade, the savoir-faire, expressivity and innovative spirit of Roger Dubuis was best demonstrated in the modernization of the Excalibur collection, and the start of emblematic partnerships with Lamborghini Squadra Corse, Pirelli, Dr. Woo, Sorayama, and Liu Wei amongst others. The Maison also began to play with the architecture of its calibres, adding new dimensions and immensity to the details.

Adrenaline on the wrist

First partnerships

Inspired by Supercars

New friend of the maison

The facelift begins

The facelift continues

First central tourbillon

Shaping the future

Celebrating the Roger Dubuis tourbillon

Launch of the sporty Excalibur Spider collection, offering a new interpretation featuring a skeletonized case. Supercar-inspired and highly technical, the collection was born for those in the fast lane.

2017

The Excalibur Spider Carbon became the first timepiece with a movement plate, bridges, and tourbillon upper cage entirely made of carbon. It was also the first watch featuring composite materials certified by the Poinçon de Genève.
Launch of a new Excalibur Quatuor. This model was made in Cobalt Micromelt®, an exclusive technology from the aeronautic and astronomy industries that adds resilience and precious shine to the craftsmanship.
The start of some exciting new partnerships unleashed a torrent of creativity and audacious Roger Dubuis timepieces. As well as Pirelli, the Maison also joined with Lamborghini Squadra Corse to create the Excalibur Aventador S - made with five watchmaking patents.
At the Geneva International Motor Show, Roger Dubuis announced its partnership with the famous car design studio, Italdesign, resulting in an ultra-limited series of 8 Excalibur Spider Single Tourbillons, which combined carbon and ceramic in the colours of the Italian flag.
Mr. Roger Dubuis passed away in October, 2017 - leaving a legacy of visionary savoir-faire and caring spirit that continues to motivate the Maison’s watchmakers today.

2018

Launch of the first Excalibur Huracán in collaboration with Lamborghini Squadra Corse.
The Excalibur Spider Pirelli PitStop edition was launched, allowing customers to alternate between seven straps echoing the seven Pirelli tyre colors.
Launch of a new Knights of the Round Table model. Igniting a second trilogy of timepieces, its aesthetics were inspired by the low poly graphic style.
Roger Dubuis took the next lap with its motorsport partners by becoming the official race sponsor of the Lamborghini Super Trofeo.

2019

To begin a partnership that lasted several years, the multi-time world boxing champion, Canelo, joined Roger Dubuis at SIHH. Just as determined and committed as the Maison – this was his first appearance as an ambassador of the fine watchmaker.

2020

Revamp of the Excalibur collection began with more contemporary clean-cut lines and an enhanced performance. This evolution aligned with new expressions around Urban Culture, and coincided with the arrival of three new Roger Dubuis ambassadors: the world-famous artists, Dr.Woo, Gully, and Liu Wei.
Launch of the Superbia timepiece. A tetrahedron-shaped design set with 600 diamonds and blue sapphires.

2021

Revamp of the Excalibur Double Tourbillon, featuring a ceramic case for the first time.
Launch of the Excalibur Spider Countach DT, which paid tribute to an iconic hyper car. The watch was notable for its two flying tourbillons, tilted at 90°, and a white case in Mineral Composite Fiber.
For the first time, the Maison opened its doors to collaborative timepieces with Dr. Woo and Gully.
Launch of a new Knights of the Round Table timepiece. The first in a trilogy, it featured a Murano glass dial, and for the first time, each knight had its own posture and accessories.

2022

Roger Dubuis unveiled its first central tourbillon, housed in a new Knights of the Round Table edition. The dial was made of crystal sapphire with colored Murano glass blocks in purple hues, while the flying hands, mounted on ball bearings, were also made of rotating crystal sapphire discs.
Launch of the Excalibur Sorayama MB, with a titanium case and bracelet. The inventor of the super-realist “Sexy Robots” took on the creative challenge of reinterpreting the astral signature of the Excalibur Monobalancier.

2023

Launch of a concept watch known as the Monovortex Split-Seconds Chronograph. Featuring an innovative conical tourbillon and a vertical oscillating weight, it also debuted an innovative Rotating Minute Counter.
Three Flyback Chronograph designs were unveiled, including one in partnership with Lamborghini Squadra Corse.
The Maison celebrated 150 years of Pirelli with a dedicated Excalibur Spider MT timepiece.
Roger Dubuis became the Official Timing Partner of the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

2024

The Maison celebrated the tourbillon in all its forms by unveiling a special series that included monotourbillon, double tourbillon, and central tourbillon designs.
A first watch in a new Knights of the Round Table trilogy was launched, this time made with genuine pieces of basalt, and a design inspired by Merlin and the mystical Giant's Causeway.

Our future awaits

These first 30 years are just the beginning of Roger Dubuis’ journey. Eternally inspired by the vision and savoir-faire of its founders, the Maison will continue to reinterpret the most traditional high-end watchmaking complications, always with the certified excellence of Poinçon de Genève, and always with unique expressivity, emotions, and unexpected aesthetics - just for friends.

Discover the collections

Our Founder and History

The master watchmaker behind the maison

“I used to pass the clock in the belltower of the church. And then, badaboom, I fell in love with that mechanism.That’s how my passion for watchmaking was born.”