Roger Dubuis: Knights of the Round Table, The Omniscient Merlin

The spell is cast and a magical new adventure has begun. Roger Dubuis’ iconic Knights of the Round Table collection unveils The Omniscient Merlin, its latest inspired tribute, this time to the enchanter Merlin, whose character is permanently entwined in the fables and legacy of King Arthur himself. 

Continuing the Maison’s celebrated collection, this new chapter ventures back to the heart of Merlin’s immortal story, with a surprising dial that conjures up visions of a breath-taking landscape, watched over by a circle of chivalrous warriors. This noble tale steps out to the edge of the world, to the Giant’s Causeway, a place where fantasy and reality seem almost inseparable. 

THE GIANT’S CAUSEWAY

The quest begins in the distant reaches of Northern Ireland, where crashing waves meet with a fractured Earth. According to some Arthurian legends, this dramatic coastline is where Merlin once stood. His eyes gazing along the ancient Giant’s Causeway, and across its towering columns of interlocking volcanic basalt. Standing in this misty land of giants, the wizard was instantly gripped by the Causeway’s power. Its hexagonal beauty rose from the sea and spread out with an awe-inspiring geometry and true sense of enchantment. 

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. Merlin had once helped restore Pendragon to the throne, a critical moment in Arthurian legend, as it sparked the narrative that led to Arthur’s birth, and the ultimate quest for the Holy Grail. 

MAGIC AND MASTERY

Now, in the echoes of myth and time – Merlin’s craft is reawakened. To summon this timepiece into creation, 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. This has been 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. The craftsmen may be without Merlin’s magic, 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 emphasize and contrast with each other. 

Perspective has been equally important when completing this vision. 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 center of the dial. This illusionary design helps to accentuate the volume and depth required.

THE 12 KNIGHTS

Now, the twelve micro-engraved knights are called to adventure. Look beneath their feet and you’ll discover a sturdy pathway that guides them towards the Causeway. Made from black PVD-treated Pink Gold with an engraved hexagonal pattern, this path flows fluidly across the dial and creates a dynamic stage for the Round Table, where each knight marks their hour by assuming a unique position.

To achieve this formation, 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. 

But it’s the skilled craftsmen who bring the final refined appearance to life. Like the Round Table itself, this is a task reserved for only the greatest few. To manually engrave each knight and detail the slimmest weapons or the subtle nuances of a helmet, takes one to three days, and requires a masterful level of patience and finesse. Finally, a black patina is also applied to the knights, helping to soften the brightness and reveal the creases, contrasts, and smallest details of their relief. 

EVERY DETAIL IS A REVELATION

Merlin the omniscient, was said to be all-seeing and all-knowing. A prophet who could connect the fragments of time and forsee events yet to come. In that same spirit, this new timepiece divulges its own compelling visions and secrets. 

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. Deeper still, this timepiece is powered by the automatic Monobalancier RD821 calibre, made in-house. 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. 

Don’t miss the crown protector on the 45mm case in Pink Gold, 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. Likewise, the 360° oscillating weight on the caseback is inspired by the stained-glass windows of medieval castles.  

Limited to just 28 pieces, the new Knights of the Round Table, The Omniscient Merlin is the first chapter in a trilogy of watches dedicated to Merlin. The watch is completed with a black calf-skin leather strap with a Pink Gold folding buckle and a modern Quick Release System.