Roger Dubuis Excalibur Lady Of The Lake Hawthorn: A Jewel Of Myth And Mechanical Artistry

With the Excalibur Lady of the Lake Hawthorn, I find myself drawn into the enchanting world of Viviane, the mysterious and powerful Lady of the Lake from Arthurian legend. Delicate yet fiercely protective, she embodies a fascinating duality that Roger Dubuis captures through an exquisite interplay of nature, precious materials and intricate watchmaking. Inspired by the hawthorn, a symbol of beauty and resilience, this latest creation brings Viviane’s multifaceted character to life in a 36mm rose gold case. Its sculptural dial, adorned with 147 diamonds, white mother-of-pearl flowers and red sapphire berries, transforms the watch into a miniature garden steeped in mythology.

A floral interpretation of Viviane

In Arthurian legend, Viviane emerges from the enchanted Brocéliande Forest, where the visible and invisible worlds meet. She places Excalibur in King Arthur’s hands, helps shape his destiny and eventually surpasses Merlin in the art of magic. Her story is one of independence, power and mystery.

Having previously explored Viviane through the Sovereign Grey and Sylvan Green editions, Roger Dubuis now presents a softer yet equally compelling interpretation. The Hawthorn edition celebrates her connection with nature and her role as a guardian between worlds. The dial is a remarkable three-dimensional composition. White mother-of-pearl flowers unfurl across a rose-gold, diamond-set surface, while polished gold spheres represent the stamens and a diamond marks each pistil. Red sapphires evoke the hawthorn berries, adding a vivid contrast to the delicate floral arrangement.

The hawthorn itself is a fitting symbol for Viviane. Its fragile-looking blossoms conceal protective thorns, reflecting the fairy’s ability to offer refuge while maintaining boundaries between the human and magical realms. Its seasonal transformation, from spring blossoms to autumn’s scarlet berries, mirrors Viviane’s own evolving character. Even the small seconds display reflects this attention to detail. A mother-of-pearl flower petal serves as the indicator, its asymmetrical, three-dimensional construction demanding exceptional mastery of balance and inertia.

A rose gold case shaped like a jewel

The 36mm rose gold case complements the feminine character of the dial while retaining the architectural complexity of the Excalibur collection. An inset diamond-set ring extends towards the crown, while polished angles contrast with brushed satin surfaces to enhance the warmth and depth of the precious metal.

The fluted bezel, set with diamonds, frames the dial with brilliance. Inclined lugs, each adorned with four diamonds, create a seamless transition to the deep red alligator leather strap, finished with a pearled effect and secured by a rose gold pin buckle. Faceted rose gold hour and minute hands indicate the time, while the three-dimensional indexes are filled with luminescent material. The two-sided bezel and textured flange add further depth to the theatrical composition.

Mechanical artistry beneath the surface

Turning the watch over reveals the RD830 automatic movement through a sapphire crystal case back. Its 183 components showcase traditional Haute Horlogerie finishing, including Côtes de Genève on the main plate and fine concentric snailing.

The open-worked 22-carat gold oscillating weight adds another layer of visual interest, reflecting Roger Dubuis’ commitment to combining mechanical audacity with artistic expression. With the Excalibur Lady of the Lake Hawthorn, I see a timepiece that goes beyond jewellery. It brings together mythology, nature and mechanical ingenuity in a creation that celebrates Viviane’s strength, mystery and protective spirit.

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