Roger Dubuis

I am surprised to see that RD’s current niche is basically only wild, skeleton watches with astronomical price tags.
It seems that hardly anything, if at all, remains of the original brand DNA.
What are your thoughts on the current lineup, pricing, and brand strategy? And are they working well for the company and sustainable? 

Pesonally, not being fond of skeleton watches, I prefer traditional-looking watches, sold at fathomable prices, so wonder about this. 
While the watches seems to be outstanding pieces with exceptionally high standards, finishing, tech, etc., it seems to me that the brand itself is not 
given much thought and recognition among watch enthusiasts.   

(I have a chance to buy either a pre-owned 2005 Hommage or a 2018 Excalibur and I am looking into the brand before buying.) 

Thanks for your thoughts. 

I hope they bring back some of what made the original lineup unique. I dont get why they'd buy a brand just to change the aesthetic completely.

then their watches won't compete with high-end Richemont blrandsl like VC, Lange, Piaget, etc.

...but we'll never see that again...

I like the 2018 Excalibur, most of them.  But not the super modern looking ones that look like they belong on a race car driver's wrist.  I'm not a movie star nor a famous celebrity race car driver - and some of the RD watches in 2018 looked like they were too similar to Richard Mille to me.  

For a 2018 RD watch, the Excalibur is pretty traditional looking. 42mm gray dial ref. DBEX0353

I looked up DBEX0353 and I like that style of Excalibur much more than the current models that use a similar case that's been blacked out.  

FYI, the Hommage is ref. HO43 57 0 1R 7A if you want to see what it looks like.

...in any iteration...



Collected Man

over the top for my taste. and as a reference, I do really love some of the less extravagant pieces from Mille, like the 67-01, and all of the supremely original Nadal watches. Cheers, Filip

I guess there are designs and prices that suit the tastes of a wide-range of consumers.

…catering to the nouveau riche segment. Hublot and Richard Mille have proven there is money to be made there.

And I feel that the refence to Rochard Mille is appropriate.

RD doesn't come close to the hype of Roger Mille, which also makes over-the-top watches at astronomical prices.

Their Sympathie, Excalibur (early years), Hommage etc. lines was so beautiful inside and out. Today they are a totally different brand that is not to my liking. Go for the ones you are offered if you are lucky enough to afford them. They are great watches and I guess they have a good service beeing part of Richemont. Enjoy!

Just that skeletons, most of them, are not my preferred type of watch.

It is in good condition, recently overhauled, and a traditional-looking watch with class.

About RD.

As i am not a big skeleton watch enthusiast, some skeleton watches i like and some skeleton watches i dislike. Depends on the design if i like it or not.

The astronomical prices are odd, so i never can buy an expensive RD.
At the other hand RD have also reachable watches which can be found as second hand peaces. Despite of it i could not find a model which i like in the affordable range.
That makes me sad, but other brands make me very happy with stunning watches with nice in house movements for a price that everybody can pay.

Yes, the second-hand market is the way to go, I feel.