Limited to 28 pieces, the Metamorph Merlin brings Arthurian legend to life through a sculptural green dial and intricate hand-engraving.
Roger Dubuis is a watchmaker who isn’t afraid to venture beyond the realm of what seems possible, and I, for one, am thankful it never wavers in this pursuit, because otherwise we wouldn’t get collections like the Knights of the Round Table. Through one of the coolest collections in watchmaking, Roger Dubuis has been bringing joy to us enthusiasts and the little kid that lives inside all of us for more than a decade.
First introduced in 2013, the Knights of the Round Table collection brings Arthurian legend to watchmaking through incredible miniature sculpture and decorative craftsmanship. The first model paved the way for the collection, featuring twelve micro-sculpted gold knights gathered around a stunning green-and-white Grand Feu enamel table. These knights essentially acted as the hour markers, turning the dial into a miniature scene right from the story itself.
The collection is the epitome of métiers d’art, bringing together micro-sculpture, intricate hand-engraving, enamelling, patination and glasswork alongside other decorative techniques. Built on the bold design language of the Excalibur collection, it has allowed the brand to evolve its interpretation of Arthurian legend through increasingly elaborate details and dial designs.
Before this latest edition of the Knights of the Round Table, Roger Dubuis explored Arthurian legend through three “books”, each bringing a different creative direction to the collection. The first book, beginning in 2013, offered a literal interpretation of the Round Table, with miniature knights placed around beautifully decorated enamel and stone dials.
The second trilogy, beginning in 2018, took a more contemporary turn, with the knights adopting angular, faceted forms inspired by low-poly art.
The third trilogy then moved towards more dramatic scenes, with the knights facing fractured landscapes and environments created using materials such as Murano glass and porcelain.
This then brings us to the fourth book, where Roger Dubuis shifts the focus onto Merlin himself. This story began in 2024 with the Omniscient Merlin, featuring a dial inspired by the Giant’s Causeway. The Enchanter Merlin followed in 2025, turning to his magical powers and the crystal palace associated with the Lady of the Lake.
Now, for the 2026 release, the Metamorph Merlin closes the trilogy by exploring Merlin’s ability to change form, with a particular reference to the white stag. This storytelling takes the timepiece into the forest of Brocéliande, translated into a stunning, rich green architectural dial alongside the different hand-engraved scenes on the case!
A Mythical Forest Brought To Life In Glass And Gold
This is one timepiece where its substantial proportions can be fully justified. Measuring 45mm in diameter and 16.87mm thick, the 18-carat pink gold case allows enough room on the dial to feature the twelve hand-sculpted knights and the storytelling behind each book, which require considerably more space than a traditional flat dial. Then we have the familiar notched bezel and distinctive triple-lug arrangement, which retain the Excalibur family’s recognisable design.
From here, however, things start to look dramatically different for this Metamorph Merlin edition, rewarding those who look beyond the enchantment of the dial. For the first time in the Knights of the Round Table collection, the pink gold case middle is hand-engraved in micro-relief, requiring approximately seventy hours of work!
On the right side of the case, Merlin appears in both human and animal form, shown as a wise figure holding a book and as the mythical white stag. The book itself references the earlier Omniscient Merlin chapter, while the stag represents the “Metamorph”, or Merlin’s power of transformation. The left side of the case depicts engraved knights, including a central figure slaying a dragon. These hand-engravings extend the Arthurian story beyond the dial while showcasing the depth of Roger Dubuis’ craftsmanship.
The dial interprets the forest of Brocéliande through an abstract design of hexagonal columns, rather than creating a literal miniature forest. Fifty-seven individually crafted hexagonal blocks rise to different heights, creating a stepped, three-dimensional image. The blocks vary in colour and material too, from green-coated and transparent glass to pink gold, with green CVD-coated Crystalium inlays forming the bottom “layer”. This adds different levels of transparency and reflection, interacting beautifully with light.
Then, of course, we have the incredible twelve pink gold knights standing around the perimeter of the forest, acting as the hour markers. Each knight measures approximately 6mm tall and has its own individual posture and personality, further adding to the watch’s immaculate detail, rather than repeating a single knight design twelve times.
The knight figures are cast before a specialist engraver refines them through sculpting, engraving and patination. Roger Dubuis states that each knight can take up to three days to finish, amounting to around 36 days of work for the twelve knights alone!
The Calibre RD821 Continues The Medieval Story
Inside the Knights of the Round Table Metamorph Merlin sits the brand’s Calibre RD821 movement, developed and manufactured in-house by Roger Dubuis. Operating at 4Hz (28,800 VpH), the movement delivers a power reserve of 48 hours. With the calibre measuring only 3.43mm thick, it leaves room for the dial design and the knights to take centre stage.
The sapphire caseback continues the medieval theme, making the winding rotor part of the storytelling. Featuring a unique skeletonised design inspired by the stained-glass windows of medieval castles, the winding rotor adds another layer of artistry to this extravagant timepiece while also allowing a glimpse of the Calibre RD821 underneath.
Initial Thoughts
While it may be devoid of complications, there’s certainly a lot to unpack with this latest Knights of the Round Table Metamorph Merlin. From the outset, the colour scheme is eye-catching, with the green and pink gold tones beautifully complementing each other. Not only that, but the colours feel visually connected to the story of the Metamorph Merlin, set in the forest of Brocéliande.
Roger Dubuis really went all out with this edition too, as, for the first time, the case features engravings that further portray the fourth book of the Knights of the Round Table collection. Beautifully hand-engraved images tell Merlin’s Metamorph story and show how he can transform into his animal form: the white stag. Then comes the exceptionally detailed dial. While we have become accustomed to seeing the knights in various forms over the years, this still does not detract from how cool the miniature sculptures are, each in a different pose.
The raised architecture of the hexagonal blocks gives the dial incredible depth, with the different materials and finishes allowing the wearer to admire the details as the light changes. Limited to 28 pieces worldwide, the Metamorph Merlin closes the trilogy with a timepiece that shows just how epic it is when high watchmaking and storytelling come together!
Roger Dubuis Knights of the Round Table The Metamorph Merlin
Reference & Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Reference | RDDBEX1118 |
| Dimensions | 45mm case diameter x 16.87mm thickness |
| Case | 18-carat pink gold with hand-engraved micro-relief scenes, notched bezel, triple lugs and sword-inspired crown guards |
| Dial | Three-dimensional landscape of 57 blocks in glass and pink gold with green CVD detailing and Crystalium flooring inlays; twelve micro-sculpted pink gold knights and satin-brushed pink gold hands |
| Crystal | Sapphire with antireflective coating and a sapphire crystal ring beneath the bezel |
| Caseback | Sapphire crystal exhibition caseback |
| Movement | Automatic manufacture Calibre RD821 with skeletonised winding rotor, Poinçon de Genève certification, 172 components and 33 jewels |
| Power Reserve | 48 hours |
| Beat Rate | 4Hz / 28,800VpH |
| Water Resistance | 30m / 3bar |
| Strap/Bracelet | Green calfskin leather strap with pink gold triple-folding buckle and Quick Release System |