ontinuing Roger Dubuis’ 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. Here lies a mystical terrain, now reimagined through the craftsmanship and expressivity that Roger Dubuis is most famously known for.

Our 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.

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, but through their impeccable know-how and patience, 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.

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 centre of the dial. This illusionary design helps to accentuate the volume and depth required, while avoiding a standard honeycomb effect.

The overall impact is almost magical in itself. A perfect ode to the enchanting figure of Merlin and a showcase of Roger Dubuis’ uncompromising approach to aesthetics.

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 trail creates a seamless transition from the dial and sets a dynamic stage for the watch’s round table of valiant figures.

Here, the scene becomes charged with battle-ready energy, as each knight claims his hour mark and strikes a unique pose that is animated with movement, tension, and strength. Swords are drawn. Armour is mounted. There is different personality and drama infused into every character. To achieve this spirited 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.

Merlin the omniscient, was said to be all-seeing and all-knowing. A prophet who could connect the fragments of time and foresee 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 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.

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. This mesmerising component is an example of the advanced knowledge that Roger Dubuis has in skeletonised design. Although lighter and smaller than a typical oscillating mass, it is still engineered perfectly, proving that aesthetic prowess and faultless performance can always work in harmony alongside each other.

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.

Roger Dubuis’ quest alongside the Knights of the Round Table began in 2013, when the Maison’s first tribute was unveiled. Ever since that original gathering of heroes, the Maison’s gallant journey of watchmaking has continued through an evolving series of designs, with each watch telling its own courageous story of innovation and craftsmanship.

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. Roger Dubuis was drawn to this enchanting character, as he is an essential key to the Arthurian legend and the founder of the Knights of the Round Table order. It is also his emotive quote, which has been inscribed on the caseback of each timepiece since 2013.

“Around this table, the bravest knights will gather as equals. They will set forth in search of adventure, righting wrongs, protecting the weak and humbling the proud.”

By delving into the ancient pages of folklore, this first Merlin tribute is able to stir the childlike curiosity within everyone. A fascinating narrative that ripples through the generations with universal and timeless appeal.

For those who eventually place this timepiece on their wrist, a true sense of belonging is assured. Only 28 editions have been created, offering a rare chance to join an exclusive union of Roger Dubuis owners. The Knights of the Round Table fellowship is a distinguished circle in itself - and one that is bonded by a passion for legendary tales.