For more than a decade, Roger Dubuis has transformed the legend of King Arthur into one of the most distinctive storytelling platforms in contemporary watchmaking. Through the Knights of the Round Table collection, the Geneva manufacture has explored the world of Camelot not merely as a source of decoration, but as a vehicle for craftsmanship, sculpture and mechanical artistry. The new Knights of the Round Table: The Metamorph Merlin marks the latest and final chapter dedicated to Merlin, bringing the wizard’s mythical ability to change form into a watch unlike anything else in modern haute horlogerie. Limited to just 28 pieces worldwide, the reference DBEX1118 concludes the trilogy with a spectacular interpretation of metamorphosis and transformation.

If earlier chapters celebrated Merlin’s wisdom and his magical powers, this final creation focuses on a more enigmatic aspect of the character: his capacity to move between worlds. Drawing inspiration from Arthurian mythology, Roger Dubuis turns to the legend of Merlin as a white stag, a mystical creature associated with the forest of Brocéliande and the boundary separating the visible from the invisible. The narrative becomes the central theme of a timepiece that seeks to express movement, mystery and transformation through its architecture and artistic details.

At first glance, the watch commands attention through its imposing 45 mm pink-gold case, an unmistakable hallmark of the Excalibur family. Yet beyond its substantial dimensions lies an unprecedented level of decorative work. For the first time in the history of the Knights of the Round Table collection, the case middle itself becomes a storytelling canvas, hand-engraved in micro-relief with scenes inspired by Merlin’s transformation. The process requires approximately seventy hours of meticulous work for a single case, elevating the engraving from ornamentation to a true narrative element. The engravings depict Merlin in both human and animal forms, reinforcing the theme of duality that runs throughout the watch. On one side, the sage appears with his book, recalling the wisdom explored in earlier chapters of the trilogy. Elsewhere, the white stag emerges as a symbol of freedom and transformation. These scenes create the impression that the entire watch has become a chapter from an illuminated medieval manuscript, translated into precious metal through extraordinary craftsmanship.

Colour plays an equally important role in shaping the watch’s identity. A rich forest green dominates the composition, directly referencing Brocéliande and Merlin’s mythical connection to nature. Green CVD coatings are applied to glass and pink-gold elements throughout the piece, extending from the base of the dial to the flange and crown. The result is a striking contrast between the warm tones of pink gold and the depth of the green architectural landscape beneath the hands.

The dial itself is a miniature world, built as a complex three-dimensional construction rather than a traditional display surface. Roger Dubuis employs fifty-seven individual blocks arranged at varying heights to evoke the rugged terrain of a mythical forest. These elements are crafted from four different materials and enhanced through four separate decorative techniques, creating a dramatic interplay of transparency, reflection and texture.

Glass, Crystalium, polished pink gold and green-coated components combine to produce remarkable visual depth. The architecture draws upon the hexagonal geometry that first appeared in earlier Merlin chapters, inspired by the Giant’s Causeway. In this latest interpretation, however, the structure feels more organic, resembling a mystical landscape rising beneath the feet of the famous knights. Light moves constantly across the different surfaces, making the dial appear alive from every viewing angle.

Standing guard around this sculptural terrain are the legendary twelve Knights of the Round Table. Each figure measures approximately six millimetres in height and begins life as a pink-gold casting before undergoing an intensive hand-finishing process. Master engravers sculpt, engrave and patinate every knight individually, a task requiring up to three days per figure. Collectively, the twelve warriors represent more than a month of artisanal labour dedicated solely to their creation. What makes these miniatures particularly impressive is their individuality. Rather than appearing as identical markers, each knight possesses a distinct stance, expression and weapon. Their varied poses create the sense of a living assembly gathered around the mythical Round Table. Positioned above the dramatic landscape of the dial, they transform the watch into a miniature theatrical stage where Arthurian legends unfold in three dimensions.

The architecture of the case has been specifically designed to maximise the impact of this elaborate display. A sapphire crystal ring positioned beneath the bezel offers additional views into the dial’s layered construction, allowing wearers to appreciate the sculptural elements from the side. Combined with the open sapphire elements and the elevated dial topology, this unusual design floods the scene with light while emphasising its depth and complexity.

Powering the Metamorph Merlin is the automatic manufacture calibre RD821, a movement developed to accommodate the watch’s exceptional three-dimensional architecture without sacrificing performance. Operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour and delivering a power reserve of approximately 48 hours, the movement drives a straightforward display of hours and minutes, allowing the artistry of the dial to remain the centre of attention.

The calibre can be admired through the open caseback, where collectors can observe the refined finishing and the skeletonised oscillating weight characteristic of Roger Dubuis. Like the artistic elements visible on the front of the watch, the movement reflects the manufacture’s commitment to combining technical expertise with expressive design. In the Metamorph Merlin, mechanical engineering serves as the invisible foundation supporting an elaborate world of sculpture and storytelling.