Roger Dubuis has released the "Excalibur Monobalancier Sorayama," a new creation in collaboration with world-renowned illustrator Hajime Sorayama, limited to just 28 pieces for Japan. This timepiece adds Sorayama's unique interpretation to Roger Dubuis' signature design, expressing light captured by intricate decoration through a moiré effect, resulting in a watch with an organic impression.

Roger Dubuis has continuously challenged the status quo, strengthening its collaboration with urban artists since 2021 to shape the future of hyper horology. This year, Roger Dubuis unveils the "Excalibur Monobalancier Sorayama," a new creation in partnership with the globally acclaimed illustrator Hajime Sorayama.

Sorayama transcends the genre of illustration, known for his iconic "Sexy Robot" series (1978–) that challenged tradition. His rounded lines and polished chrome-plated textures might seem at odds with Roger Dubuis' signature design. However, Sorayama, who commands a fervent following worldwide, and Roger Dubuis share a common value of breaking rules to create new art, leading to the birth of a new timepiece that expresses the play of light and movement characteristic of "Sexy Robot."

The star of this new timepiece is the micro-rotor, positioned at the upper left of the dial, which creates a moiré effect.

The moiré effect is a pattern created by the interference of lines, occurring when two lines or grids overlap. The moiré effect, generated by fixed flinqué sapphire glass and moving metallic parts with intricate engraving, is an unprecedented marvel born from the chemical reaction between the Maison's proud craftsmanship and the creativity and imagination of contemporary artist Hajime Sorayama.

This optical effect is achieved by applying a guilloché decoration to the parts directly attached to the tungsten portion (moving part) of the rotor, creating a regular "pyramidal" pattern that reflects light, and by sapphire glass engraved with regular black lines placed over it. This development, which took over a year to perfect the optimal placement of lines on the sapphire glass, fuses Sorayama's aesthetic with Roger Dubuis' masterful watchmaking expertise.

While boldly breaking Roger Dubuis' conventional rules, Sorayama pays homage to the late Mr. Roger Dubuis by retaining and reinterpreting the original forms. He softened the iconic star signature of Roger Dubuis with curves and redesigned the typically circular center into a pentagon. Furthermore, the case and bracelet feature the brand's first-ever full polish finish. This approach, differing from the Maison's traditional methods and Mr. Roger Dubuis' own preferences, eliminates contrast by polishing all surfaces and subtly curves every angle, imbuing the timepiece with an exceptionally smooth, organic feel while projecting an overwhelming presence and luxury.

In essence, while Roger Dubuis' traditional designs emphasize sharp, clean lines, angles, and varied finishes to accentuate contrast, Sorayama's design is curvilinear and rounded, polished to a maximum shine, much like his sexy robots. This avant-garde yet meticulously crafted timepiece, born from Sorayama's vision, is truly a work of art, demonstrating Roger Dubuis' relentless exploration of watchmaking's uncharted territories and the next potential of the wristwatch.