Watches are statement accessories and few brands have taken that concept to the extremes that Roger Dubuis has. With the Knights of the Round Table collection, you don’t just get a timepiece, you get an entire tableau of sculpted figures inspired by Arthurian legend. The newest addition to the collection is the Knights Of The Round Table The Metamorph Merlin, the third and final edition in a trilogy dedicated to Arthur’s faithful wizard and advisor.
Jumping straight to the dial, The Metamorph Merlin features a multi-layer, multi-material display consisting of hexagonal columns inspired by the natural basalt formations of the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland. The original 2024 Omniscient Merlin featured black columns, the 2025 Enchanter Merlin was white and the 2026 Metamorph Merlin is green. The colour is designed to evoke images of the great magical forest of the old stories, where the Lady of the Lake dwells and where Merlin shapeshifts into his various guises (it’s this talent for shapeshifting that gives the watch its Metamorph name).
The columns of the dial are made from one of four materials: polished glass with CVD coating, transparent glass, sparkling Crystalium or pink gold. Pink gold is also used for the central hour and minute hands as well as the peripheral sculptures of the twelve knights who serve as the hour markers. Each of the knights is sculpted in exacting detail with poses that range from ready to strike, to kneeling or being on guard.
Housing the tableau is a 45mm diameter case made from pink gold. For the first time in the collection’s history, it features engraved images along the caseband and sides of the lugs. Along the wide edge on the 9 o’clock side of the watch, it depicts a handful of knights recreating some of the poses from on the dial. Meanwhile, flanking the crown at 3 o’clock are images of Merlin himself and a white stag – one of the creatures Merlin can transform into. Above the edge of the case is a sapphire window that lets you view the dial from multiple angles, and above that sits the pink gold bezel.
Powering the Roger Dubuis Knights Of The Round Table The Metamorph Merlin is the automatic calibre RD821. It has a 48-hour power reserve and operates at a 4 Hz frequency which are solid specs, but not really why the movement stands out. What makes it special is the flawless finishing and intricate, twisting architecture that’s visible through the exhibition caseback and which earn the watch the Poinçon de Genève. Around the edge of the caseback is an inscription celebrating the duty and charge of the Knights of the Round Table.
The Metamorph Merlin is limited to 28 pieces at price on request. As a final model in the Merlin trilogy, this is a worthy closing to this chapter in the tale of Roger Dubuis’ Knights of the Round Table series. The green colour in combination with the Giant’s Causeway style display really gives the watch the magical feel of English and Irish folklore. Deep forests and hidden glens where wizards and adventures await.
Price and Specs:
More details at Roger Dubuis.
