Roger Dubuis Crafts 12 Hand-Engraved Gold Samurai Helmets for Its Latest Excalibur
Highlighting the legendary shōgun Tokugawa Ieyasu and his loyal commanders, the watch turns a historic peace alliance into structural art.
Summary
Roger Dubuis debuts the 28-piece limited-edition Excalibur The Kabuto Legacy timepiece.
The dial features 12 hand-engraved 18k pink gold samurai helmets.
An in-house RD821 caliber powers the historical, Shōgun-consulted design.
Roger Dubuis has unveiled the Excalibur Kabuto Legacy, a limited‑edition timepiece that merges haute horlogerie with Japanese samurai heritage. Inspired by the unification of 17th-century Japan, the Maison collaborated with Frederik Cryns – Professor of Japanese History and consultant for the Emmy-winning series Shōgun - to ensure strict historical accuracy. The result is a highly symbolic masterpiece that honors the era’s legendary samurai commanders and the lasting peace they forged across the country.
At the center of the dial sits a contemporary, abstract interpretation of Edo Castle, finished in a deep blue coating inspired by the indigo dye traditionally used in samurai garments. Surrounding this central fortress are twelve meticulously hand-engraved Kabuto (helmets) crafted from 18k pink gold, each representing a prominent bushō (samurai commander), such as Tokugawa Ieyasu and Honda Tadakatsu. These micro-sculpted helmets require up to three days of skilled work to complete, particularly to accurately render the delicate signature ornaments on the front of each piece. Housed in a 45mm 18k pink gold case, the watch is fitted with an interchangeable blue calf-skin leather strap featuring stitched tiles designed to mimic the protective plates of traditional samurai armor.
Powering this daring tribute is the Maison’s in-house RD821 automatic caliber, a movement that boasts a 48-hour power reserve and is strictly certified by the prestigious Poinçon de Genève. The compact mechanism allows ample space for the watch’s elaborate dial aesthetics while showcasing 14 distinct finishing techniques across its components.
The homage to Japanese heritage continues onto the open caseback, where the twelve Kamon (family crests) of the historical commanders are laser-engraved onto a blue-coated pink gold ring. Sitting beneath a sapphire glass crystal that reveals the intricate rotor, the Excalibur The Kabuto Legacy perfectly merges uncompromising Swiss watchmaking with the meticulous craftsmanship of feudal Japan.
Limited to an exclusive run of just 28 pieces, this boutique-edition timepiece translates the martial artistry of the Edo period into a wearable, hyper-expressive format. For more information, head over to Roger Dubuis’ official website.
