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Completely different brand from circa 1998 Roger Dubuis
Just for fun, I'll present a slightly different opinion. Old Roger Dubuis would not have a place within Richemont today, as they do not want to compete against Vacheron, Lange, JLC, etc. Today Roger Dubuis is selling to the young and young at heart affluent.
The new Blacklight micro-rotor model is an example of the brand's interesting output. It's like a Rainbow dial configuration that glows under black light. If EUR 20,000 spends at the nightclub VIP table are a habit on Friday nights, you probably already have a Nautilus or Royal Oak. Roger Dubuis is your activity watch, an upscale glow stick on the dance floor. It's for the affluent person who enjoys the DJs, the music and the party, in addition to enjoying the VIP scene. At worst, the bouncer who checks wristbands will be like, "Cool watch bro." I'd personally enjoy wearing this watch while dancing at the nightclub. If it looks ridiculous, even better, but I'd leave it in the drawer M-F, unless I owned the night club. Other than that, maybe this watch adds some spice to the fun houses at the amusement park.
That's just one watch, but there's others that are designed to tie in with Lamborghini, as opposed to Ferrari or Porsche. I think Roger Dubuis understands their audience well, a group that is not well represented on these forums. I do believe the underlying watchmaking is much improved since the Richemont purchase, and you can pass it down to your son or daughter if they take after you.
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What are your thoughts on the current Roger Dubuis brand?
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 br...
Completely ruined...
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.
I also don't understand, but if RD can do it with this niche,
then their watches won't compete with high-end Richemont blrandsl like VC, Lange, Piaget, etc.
The 2005 Hommage piece might be very interesting!
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 ...
The 2005 Hommage is nice, very nice, but then, it also looks like a fashion watch, and not a watch costing 10 times as much.
For a 2018 RD watch, the Excalibur is pretty traditional looking. 42mm gray dial ref. DBEX0353
Both the 2005 and 2018 are excellent pieces.
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.
I too like it a lot. It's a very traditional and normal-looking watch. I plan to go tomorrow and see it in person.
FYI, the Hommage is ref. HO43 57 0 1R 7A if you want to see what it looks like.
I would do many terrible things to own one of these : )
...in any iteration... Collected Man ...
The new ones are too....
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
Yes, extravagant peices and prices.
I guess there are designs and prices that suit the tastes of a wide-range of consumers.
They seem to be…
…catering to the nouveau riche segment. Hublot and Richard Mille have proven there is money to be made there.
Exactly, my thoughts too.
And I feel that the refence to Rochard Mille is appropriate.
I also think so. RD in my opinion is a less respected and much less sought after brand.
RD doesn't come close to the hype of Roger Mille, which also makes over-the-top watches at astronomical prices.
Roger Dubuis used to be one of my fav. brands.
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...
If RD is successful at this strategy, and it's working financially, then it's ok
Just that skeletons, most of them, are not my preferred type of watch.
I agree. The Excalibur is a great looking one.
It is in good condition, recently overhauled, and a traditional-looking watch with class.
Much i agree
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 h...
I hope one day you can find and also be able to buy a RD of your liking.
Yes, the second-hand market is the way to go, I feel.
This is a RD i want badly
It is a skeletonized RD. Excalibur tourbillon with the blue paint. 42mm case size.
Completely different brand from circa 1998 Roger Dubuis
Just for fun, I'll present a slightly different opinion. Old Roger Dubuis would not have a place within Richemont today, as they do not want to compete against Vacheron, Lange, JLC, etc. Today Roger Dubuis is selling to the young and young at heart afflue...
It's a very interesting take on the brand, and I do agree.
If RD can make these watches and sell them, and make money at the same time too, then it's a strategy that doesn't compete with other Richemont brands. The watches do cater to the younger and affluent crowd, and if that strategey is sound and not broken, ...
whatever they are taking, i want that too :)
Current line up totally not mine! I prefer the 90-s ones. I do own one from the recent collection, but not as "crazy" as most of RD watches ...
Very nice looking indeed. One of the earlier and classic designs.
I have an option to buy one similar to yours. I am trying to make up my mind.
If it helps:
I love the bracelet and the thinnes of the watch. Legibility is of course ultra high with those 1m high roman numerals 😁
