Roger Dubuis’ iconic Knights of the Round Table collection unveils its latest inspired tribute, this time to the enchanter Merlin – whose character is permanently entwined in the fables and legacy of King Arthur – in the new Knights of the Round Table, the Omniscient Merlin, a limited edition of only 28 pieces
This new chapter of the Knights of the Round Table begins at the Giant’s Causeway – a mystical terrain, now reimagined through the craftsmanship of Roger Dubuis. According to some Arthurian legends, this dramatic coastline is where Merlin once stood. His eyes gazing along the ancient Giant’s Causeway, and its towering columns of interlocking volcanic basalt, the wizard was instantly gripped by the Causeway’s power.
It is said that Merlin lifted the stones through magic and transported them to the Salisbury Plain in England, creating the circle now known as Stonehenge. This enigmatic ring of stone became Merlin’s lasting monument to the memory of Arthur’s uncle, the great King Pendragon.
Roger Dubuis has retraced the wizard’s eminent path, tapping into the tangible magic that can still be felt today in the mystical Giant’s Causeway. Replicating the same organic majesty in watchmaking form, the Maison has embarked on a journey of intensive métier d’art, calling upon a full palette of materials, while applying various artistic techniques to amplify the effect.
Each dial is constructed from a base plate of 18K Pink Gold precisely machined to produce a table of holes and hexagonal sections and then treated with a layer of black PVD. Several sections of the Pink Gold underneath have then been revealed through lasering, and enhanced with a sunray pattern for added depth, or with a matte finish.
The 56 towering blocks are then mounted, all carefully set by hand. Each hexagonal tower is set in place and arranged with a compelling variety of heights, ranging from 0.2mm to 3.7mm. To establish the richest and most complex scene possible, the Maison has integrated 28 blocks of authentic basalt, 9 blocks of solid Pink Gold, 10 blocks of black glass in the Murano style, and 9 blocks of transparent glass that sit on the base plate’s matte sections of gold. These materials all exude their own distinguishing qualities while also working together to both emphasise and contrast with each other.
Not only are the 56 blocks assembled with an elaborate marquetry to represent the true Giant’s Causeway, but they are also slightly angled, with a vanishing point at the centre of the dial, helping to accentuate the volume and depth required, while avoiding a standard honeycomb effect.
Now, the twelve micro-engraved knights are called to adventure. Beneath their feet, a sturdy pathway guides them towards the Causeway. Made from black PVD-treated Pink Gold with an engraved hexagonal pattern, this trail creates a seamless transition from the dial and sets a dynamic stage for the watch’s round table of valiant figures.
Each knight claims his hour mark and strikes a unique pose that is animated with movement, tension, and strength. Each knight has been born from a meticulous craftsmanship process. From the initial drawings, resin mock-ups are created in perfect proportions. 3D scans are then taken, followed by moulding and casting in 18K Pink Gold, resulting in figures that are 6mm tall.
It takes skilled craftsmen, with a masterful level of patience and finesse, one to three days to manually engrave each knight and detail the slimmest weapons. Finally, a black patina is applied to the knights, helping to soften the brightness and reveal the creases, contrasts, and smallest details of their relief. Through the sapphire window beneath the bezel, the wearer can peer into the world of the knights, admiring them from every possible angle, while also witnessing the interplay of shadows and light that are produced by the dial’s 56 columns.
This timepiece is powered by the automatic Monobalancier RD821 calibre, made in-house at the Maison’s integrated manufacture. Built with 172 components, the RD821 is a compact construction – with an ideal size that allows room for the knights to stand tall. Importantly, the calibre features 14 different types of hand-finishing across all the parts, an essential requirement for the Poinçon de Genève; one of the most exclusive certifications in watchmaking today.
The crown protector on the 45mm case is in pink gold and shaped like the guard of a sword. It symbolises the story of Merlin’s magic, when he helped Arthur pull the legendary blade from the stone to signal his destiny as true king. The 360° oscillating weight on the caseback is inspired by the stained-glass windows of medieval castles. Although lighter and smaller than a typical oscillating mass, it is still engineered perfectly. Around the wrist, the watch is completed with a black calf-skin leather strap with a Pink Gold folding buckle and a modern Quick Release System.
The new Knights of the Round Table is a stand-out episode of its own, and the first chapter in a trilogy of watches that will be dedicated to Merlin.
