The Monégasque Collection, an ode to gaming, glamour and the Riviera

ROGER DUBUIS once again displays creativity,modernity and an enduring ability to reinvent watchmaking with the launch of its Monégasque collection. In this tribute to the spirit of Monte Carlo, its festive atmosphere, mythical history and social glamour,eight models exemplify the great achievements of Fine Watchmaking, each in its own way. From the philosophy at the core of the automatic movement to the perpetual calendar,  from  the  accuracy  of  the  flying tourbillon to the appeal of the chronograph, these eight outstanding creations are set to conquer the Rock and the entire luxury world.

ROGER  DUBUIS  possesses  the  secret  of  these enchanted  spots  that  are  engrossed  in  history. For the launch of its Monégasque collection, the Swiss brand has drawn its inspiration from Monte Carlo. Instilled with the aura of the gaming table, La Monégasque reflects a style closely associated with one of the Mediterranean's smartest seaside resorts. La  Monégasque, radiating sunshine  and light, embodies the quintessence of this place and expresses the glamorous style and spirit of the Rock.

Time flows languidly on the wrist: daring design, contemporary lines and an unusual and original shape drawing out a perfect circle. Detail takes precedence over effects. The collection lays claimto a concept of style rather than fashion, discreetly elegant  with  unconventional  outlines. With  the "Big Number" and "Club" limited editions at their head, imbued with the aura of gaming and smart, glamorous salons, the eight models demonstrate consistently that determination to be out of the ordinary, with the power and verve characteristic of ROGER DUBUIS, the contemporary Manufacture of Fine Watchmaking.

All the models are equipped with ROGER DUBUIS mechanical  movements,  as  exemplified  by  the outstanding  latest-generation  RD680  chronograph movement,  with  its  impressive  performance  in terms of precision, reliability and toughness. In the resounding conviction that the finish of a true work of art is manifested in its smallest details, ROGER DUBUIS has devoted time to the creation of this collection, which will be available in the autumn of 2011.

The Monégasque: a hint of rock 'n' roll and sex-appeal, with a delightfully provocative flavour. It evokes the whole myth of MonteCarlo, with that unconventional  and (very)  chic  something  that casts every mischievous free spirit under its spell.

The Monégasque collection, the soul of Monte Carlo, bearing the ROGER DUBUIS signature

Latest-generation mechanical movements, timeless elegance,  lines  evoking  wide  horizons... The new ROGER DUBUIS collection, La Monégasque, unveils  contemporary  design  coupled  with fascinating mechanisms. Infused with the aura of the gaming table, it reflects a style closely linked to one of the smartest seaside resorts, Monte Carlo.  ROGER  DUBUIS  has  taken  inspiration from this world of glamour and paired it with the dependability  of  Fine  Watchmaking  calibres. A  twofold  charm  for  this  unique  collection. Confronted with the daring Monégasque Club chronograph,  set  off  by  a  Chesterfield-style strap, it is hard to decide: which is the dominant attraction, the complication or the magnificence of the finish?

It conjures up an era when refinement was at the essence of the art of living. Everything about it  is  daring,  elegant,  individualistic.  It  is  the dazzling rendezvous between glamour and Fine Watchmaking, a marriage that infallibly inspired ROGER DUBUIS. Dedicated to a dream, a lasting tradition  and  the  pursuit  of  excellence,  the Monégasque collection vibrates in harmony with the mythical scene of Monte Carlo. The stylishness of the sports convertibles, the rustle of silk evening dresses, the lapping of the Mediterranean... a murmur, almost musical, that resonates with the movements, with Fine Watchmaking and with the thousands of operations of a craftsmanship that bears the name ROGER DUBUIS.

La Monégasque is a collection that follows codes rooted in tradition, but then interprets them in contemporary style. Its personality, strength of character and perfectly controlled vigour assert its charisma. With its slim lines, the roundness of the dial drawing out the contours of the bezel, the  collection  innovates  with  its  unusual  and original configuration. It is equipped exclusively with outstanding mechanical movements entirely designed, developed and produced by the ROGER DUBUIS  Manufacture.  This  latest  generation  of mechanical movements - among them, the RD680 automatic   chronograph    -   matches   aesthetic qualities with high performance, and is based on the most specialised production techniques.

From our roots to the present day

This  could  only  happen  in  an  environment conducive to their development: Switzerland. Aunique location bringing together a whole set of ultra-specialised skills on a narrow strip of land, the Jura Arc, typified by Geneva. Culture and tradition have fostered the founding of the watchmaking industry here. The ROGER DUBUIS Manufacture draws spiritual sustenance from this heritage and these long-established skills, which it nevertheless interprets by contemporary codes to project them into the future. This is the very essence of the ROGER DUBUIS brand. To underline the respect that it owes to the Swiss tradition of Fine Watchmaking, and especially its expression in the spirit of Geneva, ROGER DUBUIS decided very early on - something unique in Fine Watchmaking - to stamp every one of its products with the prestigious Geneva Seal, a  standard  of  production  that  meets  the  most demanding technical and aesthetic criteria. It is in this principle of deep respect for the tradition and quality of the craft, interpreted by contemporary codes, that the Monégasque collection was designed.

Elegance and refinement

Its  roots  date  back  to  the  foundation  of  the ROGER DUBUIS company. Established less than a year previously, in 1996 the company unveiled a  collection  that  would  leave  its  mark  on  this era. Clearly identifiable by the unusual shape of its case, the Sympathie line would appear as a statement of identity for the young ROGER DUBUIS brand. The power, the daring, the original design and  the  carefully  finished  mechanisms  were already there: the genetic codes of the brand in physical form. Fifteen years on, La Monégasque takes its inspiration from the lines of force of the Sympathie collection, presenting itself in boldly novel apparel with a hint of daring and elegance.

The  Monégasque  obeys  its  own  immediately recognisable aesthetic codes. Housed in legant cases of diameter 42 or 44 millimetres, in platinum, pink gold or steel, the 8 models in the new La Monégasque  collection  reveal  their  meticulous finish, with contrasting polished and satin surfaces that show off their delicately proportioned outlines. The cases made from pink gold are also enhanced with a decorative bezel in black PVD lacquer. With Roman numerals set on Coloured cartouches and extended towards the centre with applied index markers, the dynamic, contrastive dials reveal the true elegance of these watches. Emphasising its subtle silhouette, each case has a sapphire crystal back through which the 4 self-winding movements available in the collection can be admired: 3-hand automatic,  chronograph,  perpetual  date  and tourbillon. Water-resistant to 5 bars (50 metres), with a mechanical movement at its heart made by the Manufacture, the Monégasque - each one stamped with the prestigious Geneva Seal - is the expression of a contemporary vision of Fine Watchmaking.

As the crowning glory of this outstanding collection, and  to  assure  its  future  at  the  peak  of  the watchmaker's art, ROGERDUBUIS has conceived a special model, the Monégasque Club, the pinnacle of authenticity and nobility.

The Monégasque Club "limited edition"

Its  multi-facetted  personality  makes  it  unique. It  symbolises  both  Fine  Watchmaking  and  the elegance  of  an  earlier  century.  Steeped  in  the atmosphere of exclusive salons where the fog of cigar smoke heightened the thrill of the tables, the artistic reflection of an epoch in search of an art of living, the Monégasque Club is a model that asserts its style at first glance. With its Chesterfield-style leather strap, 44-millimetre pink gold case, blended ochre and mist on its dial and split-timechronograph with column-wheel, this watch is an undisputed icon. Its micro-rotor automatic movement, the calibre RD78, comprises 303 componentsand has a power reserve of 42 hours. The aesthetic quality of this timepiece, its technical perfection and the rigour that guided its development usher the collection into a new dimension. Ambassador of the art and technical mastery that distinguish ROGER DUBUIS, permeated with respect for tradition and the spirit of innovation, the Monégasque Club is coveted by collectors all over the world with its limited edition of 88 pieces.

The Monégasque "Big Number", limited edition

Only 128 watches have been made in this limited edition  of  the  chronograph -  the  Monégasque"Big Number" - distinguished by its black, red and green dial, colouration characteristic of the casino. Elegant and refined, this model in pink gold captivates with its subtle design as much as by its fascinating mechanism. Its contrasting dial, satin sunburst in the centre and circular outside, includes the two timer dials; the 30-minute counterat 3 o'clock and the small seconds at 9 o'clock,echoing the style and charm of the chronographs of grand tradition. Its elegant 44-millimetre case in pink gold is enhanced with a decorative bezel in black PVD lacquer. Water-resistant to 5 bars (50  metres),  it  houses  the  RD78  micro-rotor automatic  chronograph  movement.  Designed, developed and produced by the ROGER DUBUIS Manufacture,  the  RD78  chronograph  calibre  is representative of the generation of ROGER DUBUIS mechanical  movements  that  marries  aesthetic qualities  and  high  performance,  and  is  based on the most specialised production techniques. And what if the Monégasque "Big Number" was also a good-luck charm?

The Monégasque Chronograph: the trump card

The chronograph version of La Monégasque, the trump card of the new collection, captivates with its refined design as much as by its fascinating mechanism. Its satin sunburst dial includes the two timer sub-dials, the 45-minute counter at 3 o'clock and the small seconds at 9 o'clock, echoing the style  and  charm  of  the  chronographs  of  grand tradition. Its elegantly sculpted case in pink gold or steel is enhanced with a decorative bezel in black  PVD  titanium.  Water-resistant  to 5  bars(50 metres),within its 44 millimetre-diameter case-houses a new column-wheel chronograph movement designed, developed and produced by the ROGER DUBUIS Manufacture. This mechanical chronograph movement with automatic winding by micro-rotor, the calibre RD680, represents the new generation of ROGER DUBUIS mechanical movements, combining aesthetic qualities with performance and exploiting the   most   advanced  production   technologies. The  RD680  chronograph  calibre  comprises 261components and has a power reserve of 52 hours and a frequency of 28,800 vibrations/hour (4 Hz). Like all ROGER DUBUIS movements, it is stamped with the prestigious Geneva Seal. The Monégasque Chronograph is available on a hand-sewn black alligator strap with pin buckle in pink gold or folding buckle in steel.

The Monégasque Automatic

The  eldest  of  the  collection,  the  Monégasque Automatic symbolises the very essence of the collection. This distinguished timepiece boasts a 42-millimetre  case,  a  satin-finish  rhodium-plated dial, an RD821 automatic movement and a black alligator strap. Water-resistant to 5 bars (50 metres), this model is equipped with a latest-generation movement comprising 168 components and is stamped, it almost goes without saying, with the prestigious Geneva Seal. On the principle of efficient  simplicity,  ROGER  DUBUIS  launched this line with a powerful message: technical and aesthetic elegance. The Monégasque Automatic possesses  the  strength  and  tranquillity  of  an object ready to face the ages unmoved.

The Monégasque Perpetual Calendar

The Monégasque Perpetual Calendar completes the story, its heart beating to the rhythm of perhaps the most sophisticated complication of all: the perpetual calendar.  Nothing  less  than  the  mechanical programming of time, the Monégasque perpetual date - powered by the calibre RD821J with its 358 components - is a prodigious achievement of miniaturisation. Day of the week, month, date, leap-years and moon phases: Earth and Heaven on your wrist! Its ease of operation is matched by the perfect legibility of its many displays: the dial reflects the balance of this technical and aesthetic masterpiece. Its 44-millimetre case in pink gold, water-resistant to 5 bars (50 metres) lends it a natural elegance.

The Monégasque Tourbillon Volant, large date,

power reserve, limited edition To bring connoisseurs of the Monégasque collection the most fascinating of all watchmaking complications was  the  purpose  behind  the  creation  of  the Monégasque Tourbillon Volant. It makes light of the effects of gravity, at the same time providing perfect legibility of its large date and power reserve displays; technology serving ease and elegance. A creation of unique ingenuity, at the limits of the mechanically feasible - destined for just 28 connoisseurs world-wide. Executed in platinum, the most discreet of metals, the Monégasque Tourbillon Volant opens the door to a new dynasty of exceptional timepieces. It allies the most iconic watchmaking complication, the  flying  tourbillon,  with  the  highly  individual aspect of a movement made, decorated and polished by hand. In its 44-millimetre case, water-resistant to 5  bars (50  metres),  the  calibre  RD540  with its 293  components  is  the  crowning glory of a masterpiece of high-flying mechanical skill.