Roger Dubuis Excalibur The Metamorph Merlin Brings Merlin To Life

The final chapter of Roger Dubuis’ Merlin trilogy transforms Arthurian mythology into a three-dimensional composition of green, gold, glass and Crystalium.

Roger Dubuis closes its Knights of the Round Table trilogy dedicated to Merlin with the new Excalibur The Metamorph Merlin, a limited edition that explores the legendary wizard’s ability to shapeshift. Following the Omniscient Merlin in 2024 and the Enchanter Merlin in 2025, the latest creation turns to transformation and the symbolism of the mythical white stag, bringing the story to life through architecture, sculpture and hand-finishing.

Limited to just 28 pieces, the watch combines a 45mm pink-gold case with a deep green, multi-dimensional dial constructed from 57 individually crafted blocks. Four different materials are used across the composition, creating layers of transparency, colour and reflection that give the dial the appearance of an abstracted mythical forest.

The Final Chapter Of Merlin

For more than a decade, Roger Dubuis has used its Knights of the Round Table creations to reinterpret Arthurian mythology through increasingly elaborate combinations of métiers d’art and mechanical watchmaking. The Merlin trilogy began with Omniscient Merlin in 2024, exploring the wizard’s all-seeing wisdom, followed by Enchanter Merlin in 2025 and its focus on his mystical powers.

The Roger Dubuis Excalibur The Metamorph Merlin takes a different direction. Its central theme is Merlin’s ability to assume different forms, represented through the mythical white stag. In Arthurian symbolism, the creature becomes a representation of transformation and of the passage between the visible and invisible worlds.

Rather than illustrating the story literally, Roger Dubuis translates the idea into the architecture of the watch. The dial becomes a landscape, the case becomes a canvas for engraving and the miniature Knights of the Round Table become characters within the composition.

A Forest Built From 57 Blocks

The dial is one of the most complex visual elements of the watch. Inspired by the mythical forest associated with Merlin and the Lady of the Lake, it uses layered geometry and deep green tones to create an architectural interpretation of a dense woodland.

The composition is made from 57 individually crafted blocks, positioned at different heights to produce a pronounced three-dimensional effect. Green CVD-coated elements are combined with polished pink gold, transparent glass and Crystalium, creating a constantly changing interaction between surfaces and light.

The dial includes 10 blocks of shotblasted glass with green CVD coating, seven blocks of polished pink gold, one central shotblasted pink-gold block with green CVD coating, six transparent glass blocks with green CVD coating and 24 polished glass blocks with green CVD coating.

Nine additional transparent glass blocks and nine Crystalium flooring inlays complete the layered architecture, while the base layer and flange are finished in green CVD-coated pink gold.

The result does not attempt to depict a forest in a literal sense. Instead, the materials, different heights and changing reflections recreate its atmosphere, revealing different perspectives as the watch is viewed from different angles.

Merlin And The Knights

For the first time in this collection, the story extends beyond the dial and onto the case itself. The 45mm pink-gold case is entirely hand-engraved, turning its sides into another surface for the Arthurian narrative.

The engraving depicts Merlin in two forms: the mythical white stag, representing metamorphosis, and the wise figure holding a book, recalling the knowledge and omniscience explored in the first chapter of the trilogy.

Around the dial, the twelve emblematic Knights of the Round Table stand approximately 6mm tall. Each miniature knight is crafted in pink gold and requires around three days of meticulous hand-finishing by a specialist engraver.

The process includes sculpting, engraving and the application of black patina, allowing each figure to develop its own posture, texture and personality.

Even the surrounding details continue the narrative. The guards flanking the crown take inspiration from swords and Excalibur, while the green crown reflects the colour of the forest and the world inhabited by the mythical white stag.

The RD821 Calibre

Behind the elaborate exterior is the automatic Calibre RD821, developed, manufactured and hand-finished entirely in-house by Roger Dubuis.

The movement contains 172 components and 33 jewels, operates at 4Hz and offers a 48-hour power reserve. Its architecture has been specifically developed to accommodate the three-dimensional dial while maintaining the proportions of the Excalibur case.

Finishing is particularly important here. Roger Dubuis applies 14 distinct finishing techniques to the calibre, including those required for the Poinçon de Genève certification. These treatments are applied across the surfaces of the individual components, combining matte and polished finishes to create a dynamic play of light.

The open caseback provides a view of the movement and its skeletonised 360-degree oscillating weight. Inspired by the stained-glass windows of medieval castles, the rotor continues the visual dialogue between Arthurian mythology and mechanical watchmaking.

A Case That Becomes Part Of The Story

The Metamorph Merlin pushes the narrative beyond the traditional boundaries of the dial. The hand-engraved case means that the watch tells its story from virtually every angle, while the sapphire crystal ring beneath the bezel creates another layer between the case and the three-dimensional dial.

The 45mm case measures 16.87mm thick and offers 30 metres of water resistance. It is paired with a calf-leather strap and an 18K pink-gold triple-folding buckle, both equipped with Roger Dubuis’ Quick Release System.

The result is unmistakably theatrical, but the theatricality is grounded in craftsmanship. The dial, miniature sculptures, hand engraving and movement finishing all serve the same purpose: translating Merlin’s transformation from Arthurian legend into a physical object.

The End Of The Merlin Trilogy

With only 28 examples being produced, the Excalibur The Metamorph Merlin concludes Roger Dubuis’ three-watch exploration of Merlin while bringing together many of the Maison’s most recognisable signatures: the Excalibur architecture, miniature knights, extreme métiers d’art and highly finished in-house mechanics.

After exploring Merlin’s omniscience and wizardry, the final chapter focuses on his ability to transform. The mythical white stag becomes the central symbol, while the forest-inspired dial and engraved case turn the watch into a miniature landscape populated by twelve knights.

It is an interpretation of Haute Horlogerie that treats the watch less as a conventional timekeeper and more as a sculptural stage for mythology — where materials, light, engraving and mechanics combine to tell the final chapter of Merlin’s story.

Technical Specifications

For more information, please visit the official Roger Dubuis website.

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