FROM GENEVA TO GANESHA

Skeletons, supercars, and homebound special editions; CEO David Chaumet gives us a look inside Roger Dubuis' most audacious anniversary yet

- Sharan Sanil

2025 has been a landmark year for Roger Dubuis.

The Geneva maison marked its 30th anniversary with a string of daring launches, from the Excalibur Flying Tourbillon with Perpetual Calendar at Watches & Wonders to the Monterey reveal of the Spider Chronograph Split-Seconds, all framed by its ongoing partnerships with Lamborghini and Pirelli. In India, the maison celebrated Art of Time's 10th anniversary with two exclusive editions—the Excalibur Monobalancier Lord Ganesha and the Velvet Automatic—underscoring its commitment to expressive design rooted in cultural storytelling.

At the helm through this milestone is the maison’s CEO, who returned in 2024 after a successful stint leading Baume & Mercier. Having first joined Roger Dubuis in 2008, he is no stranger to its eccentric DNA, and he has made it clear that the anniversary isn’t just about looking back. In this conversation, he reflects on three decades of evolution, the role of automotive partnerships, and what comes next for one of Swiss watchmaking’s boldest names.

You launched a major new chronograph at Monterey Car Week this year. What was that like?

Yes, I was in Monterey. It was an incredible moment, because it’s not only about the watch itself but also about the place. We revealed the Excalibur Spider Chronograph Split-Seconds in partnership with Lamborghini. We welcomed clients and VIPs in a villa just beside the Concours d’Elegance—and in that setting, surrounded by exceptional cars, it made complete sense. The watch itself has a lot of automotive DNA: bridges in the movement that echo the lines of a sports car, and skeletonised elements inspired by rims. The reception was very positive.

The maison has leaned heavily on automotive collaborations in recent years. How did that begin, and where is it heading?