Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The Roger Dubuis Knights of the Round Table “The Metamorph Merlin”
The final chapter of the Merlin trilogy brings the wizard’s shapeshifting powers to life through hand-engraved details on the case and a green 3D dial, guarded by 12 knights.
In 2005, Roger Dubuis launched the Excalibur, an imposing 45mm watch that established many of the key aesthetic traits and mechanical audacity that characterise the “hyper horology” the brand practises today. The Knights of the Round Table collection, introduced in 2013, was conceived as a celebration of métiers d’art and took the Arthurian legend to new heights with 12 realistic micro-sculpted gold knights seated at a green-and-white Grand Feu enamel Round Table. Ever-evolving, Roger Dubuis recently turned to the figure of the wizard Merlin with the Omniscient Merlin and Enchanter Merlin editions. Marking the final chapter in the Merlin trilogy, the Metamorph celebrates the wizard’s ability to change form, incorporating hand-sculpted elements on the case for the first time.
Without Merlin’s shapeshifting magic, there would have been no legend. According to Arthurian mythology, Merlin helps King Uther Pendragon disguise himself as Lady Igraine’s husband, Gorlois, to seduce her, resulting in Arthur’s birth. As a master of disguise, Merlin rarely appears as a wizard and instead uses his shapeshifting powers to adopt different forms, including that of a great white stag.
For the first time in the collection, the storytelling goes beyond the dial to the case. Representing Merlin’s transformation into a stag, the recessed area of the right case flank is hand-engraved in micro-relief with a depiction of the wizard in human and animal form. The left side of the case is also engraved with knights, including the central one slaying a dragon. The 12 solid rose gold knights are also meticulously hand-sculpted. At 6mm tall, each figure is animated by the master engraver and armed with a distinct medieval weapon; King Arthur presides at noon with his legendary sword, Excalibur.
As with earlier Merlin editions, the exuberant 45mm case is crafted in pink gold and features a protruding sapphire crystal ring (accounting for the 16.87mm thickness) under the notched bezel, giving a lateral view of the action-packed dial and the backs of the 12 knights. Together with the domed sapphire crystal, the windows flood the scene with light. The crown and crown guards, shaped like a sword hilt, highlight other aspects of the legend.
Unlike early editions with a physical table in the centre, the KRT evolved the dial to feature more abstract compositions, culminating in the two Merlin editions and their dramatic hexagonal columns of varying heights and materials. The green colour chosen for the Metamorph suggests the dense forest where Merlin transformed into a stag. The three-dimensional scenery comprises 57 individually crafted blocks of polished pink gold, transparent glass, and green CVD-coated glass, along with scintillating green-coated Crystalium flooring inlays. Time is indicated by openworked pink gold hands with green Super-LumiNova inserts that match the gold markers on the flange behind the knights.
The sapphire crystal on the reverse offers a view of the Poinçon de Genève-certified automatic movement. Powered by in-house calibre RD821, the golden skeletonised 360° rotor is inspired by the stained-glass windows of yore and transmits energy to the barrel for a 48-hour power reserve.
This limited edition of 28 pieces comes with a green calfskin strap and a pink gold triple-folding buckle, fully interchangeable thanks to the quick-release system. Price is upon request. More information at rogerdubuis.com.
