Roger Dubuis Excalibur Lady of the Lake Watch Review
The Roger Dubuis Excalibur Lady of the Lake and the Excalibur Lady of the Lake Sylvan Green are two feminine creations, each comprising an intricate dial, a 36 mm diamond-set gold case and an ultra-refined movement (RD830 calibre). In this article, US-based Meehna Goldsmith begins by delving into Arthurian legend, focussing on Vivian, Lady of the Lake, the inspiration for these new, enchanting expressions of Haute Horlogerie.
Image – Roger Dubuis Excalibur Lady of the Lake Sylvan Green (DBEX1198)
Roger Dubuis Excalibur – a story that began in 2005
For over a decade, Roger Dubuis has explored the myth of the Knights of the Round Table in its Knights series. Released in 2013, the inaugural Knights of the Round Table (RDDBEX0390) featured 12 micro-engraved gold knights sitting around the famed table in an imaginative and beautiful Métiers d’Art piece. However, the brand’s fascination with the Arthurian legend dates back to 2005 when it debuted the Excalibur collection, inspired by the Arthurian sword. All of these horological stories were told from the male perspective, but this year Roger Dubuis turns the spotlight towards Viviane.
Image – Roger Dubuis Excalibur Lady of the Lake (DBEX1193)
Vivian, The Lady of the Lake
A powerful and magical figure, Viviane is known as The Lady of the Lake. According to Arthurian legend, she was a foster mother to Sir Lancelot and lover to Merlin, who was so smitten that he taught her the secrets of his magic. Viviane recorded all of Merlin’s prophecies and ultimately became more powerful than him. Though she loved him, it’s not known whether she locked Merlin in a glass tower to protect or restrain him. In addition to being the guardian of Excalibur, Viviane was also one of the queens who brought King Arthur to Avalon as he was dying.
Image – Roger Dubuis Excalibur Lady of the Lake Sylvan Green (DBEX1198)
In Celtic society, the Lady of the Lake was considered life itself and celebrated the beauty of the lakes and springs. Evidence for her supernatural presence was exhibited in the way the water moved and flowed. As a tribute to Viviane, people would throw in valuable offerings, including swords and jewellery. Today, that tradition continues in the form of wishing wells and the Lady of the Lake has transformed into modern-day Lady Luck.
Roger Dubuis Excalibur Lady of the Lake (DBEX1193)
At Watches & Wonders 2026, Roger Dubuis introduced two versions of the 36 mm Excalibur Lady of the Lake. The first model, the DBEX1193, is simply titled ‘Excalibur Lady of the Lake’, its name making no reference to its dial colour. The Sovereign Grey dial is intended to symbolise armour, representing Viviane’s ‘courage, power and independence’. Its rose gold case is designed to look like a jewel and wears a halo of diamonds set around its bezel, lighting up the mother-of-pearl centrepiece.
Roger Dubuis Excalibur Lady of the Lake Sylvan Green (DBEX1198)
The second Excalibur model unveiled at Watches & Wonders this year was the Excalibur Lady of the Lake Sylvan Green (DBEX1198). This model leans into the watery and mysterious environment Viviane called home. Instead of the commanding grey, the dial features a mosaic of green mother of pearl to capture Viviane’s alchemy in her lake kingdom in the Brocéliande forest. It was here, in this protected environment, that she raised Lancelot. Even after he was knighted, she watched over her protégé whom she rescued from madness many times.
The green mother-of-pearl dial design deliberately blurs colours and boundaries to mimic how the vegetation surrounding the lake undulates and reflects off the water. The artisans achieve this effect by lacquering each fragment in different green shades and then placing them in wave-shaped recesses carved into the brass dial. The composition of the waves is highlighted by hand-polished and rose gold-treated metal frames.
Hour and minute hands in rose gold collaborate with rose gold-treated hour markers, while a two-tiered flange provides depth and distinction. The contrast of rose gold elements with the green rhodium plating and pale green lacquer at the centre come together to form a harmonious ensemble. Fitting into the colour theme, the Roger Dubuis name, presented at 12 o’clock, is transferred and powdered with rose gold. The Lady of the Lake is also associated with twilight for her femininity and magic. This element is presented as a hemisphere of moonstone, positioned atop a green, rotating mother-of-pearl disc, serving as the seconds indicator while also adding a touch of animation to the dial.
Roger Dubuis RD830 calibre
The Excalibur Lady of the Lake and its sibling, the Excalibur Lady of the Lake Sylvan Green, are both powered by the automatic in-house RD830 calibre. Each reference is equipped with an exhibition caseback, granting sight of the mechanical heart beating within. The RD830 features refined finishing, such as Côtes de Genève on the main plate and snail graining. Roger Dubuis extends the use of precious materials to the open-worked 22k rotor, albeit the design of the oscillating weight is slightly different for each model.
Above – Roger Dubuis Excalibur Lady of the Lake (DBEX1193)
Above – Roger Dubuis Excalibur Lady of the Lake Sylvan Green (DBEX1198)
Roger Dubuis Excalibur Lady of the Lake – habillage
Both models are housed in a jewel-shaped case formed of rose gold, sporting a fluted bezel that sparkles with 48 diamonds. Two inclined lugs, each set with four diamonds, hold the alligator strap to the case, while a rose gold pin buckle secures the watch to the wrist.
Closing remarks
More than a watch, the Excalibur Lady of the Lake (in both forms) captures a different kind of power – one that doesn’t announce itself, but lingers. In choosing Viviane, Roger Dubuis trades steel for reflection and armour for water, and in doing so, reveals a mythology that has always been there, just beneath the surface.
Further reading
Technical specifications
- Model: Roger Dubuis Excalibur Lady of the Lake
- Reference: DBEX1193
- Case: 18K rose gold, diameter 36 mm, height 9.85 mm, water resistance 3 ATM (30 m), sapphire crystal to the front and exhibition case back.
- Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds
- Movement: RD830 calibre, self-winding movement, frequency 28,800 vph (4 Hz), 27 jewels, power reserve 48 hours, 183 components.
- Strap: lamb leather strap, interchangeable thanks to spring bars with spurs with 18K pink gold pin buckle.
- Price on application
- Model: Roger Dubuis Excalibur Lady of the Lake Sylvan Green
- Reference: DBEX1198
- Case: 18K rose gold, diameter 36 mm, height 9.85 mm, water resistance 3 ATM (30 m), sapphire crystal to the front and exhibition case back.
- Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds
- Movement: RD830 calibre, self-winding movement, frequency 28,800 vph (4 Hz), 27 jewels, power reserve 48 hours, 183 components.
- Strap: alligator leather strap with perlato effect, interchangeable thanks to spring bars with spurs with 18K pink gold pin buckle.
- Price on application
