When the first Roger Dubuis Knights of the Round Table watch was introduced in 2012, most people felt that it was likely a one-off artistic experiment related to the fact that, for several years, Roger Dubuis created “Excalibur” watches named after the fabled sword from the stories of King Arthur. Instead of a single model, the odd (but still really cool) timepiece with tiny, engraved gold figurines (actually not all versions since 2012 have had figurines, but most did) on the dial became a niche-favorite series. 2024 sees a new Roger Dubuis Excalibur Knights of the Round Table Watch that is a variation on the 2023 limited-edition model known as the Roger Dubuis Knights of the Round Table Monotourbillon. The 2024 limited-edition model is known simply as the Roger Dubuis Excalibur Knights of the Round Table (Reference RDDBEX1094). It costs about $230,000 less than last year’s model and is probably my personal favorite of the timepiece collection so far.
Roger Dubuis shared with us that it planned the Excalibur Knights of the Round Table limited-edition watches in sets of three different limited-edition styles revolving around one theme. This 2024 Excalibur Knights of the Round Table is the beginning of a new set of three, with the theme being the wizard Merlin, from the Arthurian legends. According to Roger Dubuis, the nickname of this model is the “Omniscient Merlin.” Unfortunately, Merlin himself is not featured on the dial as one of the weapon-wielding knight characters (as far as I can tell), but the story of the watch somewhat connects to the elements of the Arthurian legends. Just be open-minded to the artistic liberties that Roger Dubuis took, and appreciate that there is at least some story to explain this amazing wristwatch medieval diorama.
This year’s Excalibur Knights of the Round Table RDDBEX1094 includes a Poinçon de Genève-certified automatic movement, a dial with 12 hand-engraved miniature figures, and a central dial with 56 applied hexagonal elements in the center. It looks really cool, but what is the inspiration for this motif? It is actually a place in Ireland called Giant’s Causeway, which is noteworthy for the interesting large areas comprised of geometric pieces of crystallized basalt rock that are often in similar hexagonal shapes. The name of Giant’s Causeway comes from a Medieval story about a giant who threw rocks there and his name was Finn MacCool (neat name, right?) —but how does that connect with King Arthur? According to some stories (and they are a stretch), Merlin went to Giant’s Causeway to collect stones that were later taken down to lower England to make the astronomical calendar monument we know as Stonehenge. Not only is Stonehenge probably older than the Arthurian legends, but the rock from there isn’t from Giant’s Causeway. Indeed, the rocks are not from the current area where Stonehenge is located, but relatively recent analysis suggests the rocks (which are similar to basalt, but not basalt) come from a place in Wales. This watch dial is much more interesting than if the face were inspired by a wizard’s hat or beard (or something), but the connection to Merlin is iffy, at best. I can let that slide because there is no need to mention Merlin when showing off this watch, but the Merlin connection to this otherwise fantastic creation does present a bit of confusion, in my opinion.
The Roger Dubuis Excalibur Knights of the Round Table watch is difficult to discuss since it doesn’t fit any particular established watch genre, nor does it suggest any particular wearing experience. You can’t even LARP with it since wristwatches aren’t exactly period-appropriate. What exactly is a use-case scenario for wearing one of these watches? When aBlogtoWatch’s David Bredan wrote about the central tourbillon version of the Excalibur Knights of the Round Table (linked to above), he tried to imagine how a man of money and options might incorporate this 45mm-wide solid pink-gold timepiece into his lifestyle. For this watch, I have a very different take on who will appreciate it the most: people with an interest in miniature model making (i.e., a huge number of watch lovers). In general, appreciating watches is an exercise in micro art, micro machines, micro decoration, and micro architecture.
The (nerdy) kid in me who grew up painting miniature Dungeons & Dragons and other fantasy game figurines immediately understands how cool this watch is because each of the 12 figurines on the dial is basically from that universe. There is a 20th-level paladin with his +3 morning star somewhere on that dial, I am totally sure of it… There is no way the people who created this watch are any different from me regarding their interest in fantasy figures. Not that I am going to dig up my single-bristle brush and precision airbrush to rediscover that hobby, but when I gaze into the meticulous details on this dial, I can be transported back to a time when the creation and appreciation of such artwork and skill were among the most important things in my young life. This watch is a luxury, but it is also a toy, and a reminder of whimsical pastimes and play.
The detailing for the 12 figures is really impressive (in the gallery below, you can see a detailed picture of each of them). According to Roger Dubuis, it takes two to three days on average to engrave each one by a master artisan. The characters actually begin as much larger figurines even though on the dial they are just 6mm tall. Their overall shape, stance, clothing, and details are created in a larger figurine that allows the artist to get the composition right. Then, those models are 3D-scanned and created into smaller examples that the engraver can copy to preserve the difficult proportions and nuances of the various knights. After the solid-gold figures are engraved, an important additional process is applied that allows you to see their details better. This is apparently done with a PVD application process to result in what Roger Dubuis calls a “patina.” Really, what it does is add some black color in the grooves and small lines which helps bring out details. We used to do this same thing when painting fantasy characters to robots, and I called it a “wash” technique. Again, this is another familiar element between how the Knights of the Round Table’s luxury knights were created and my old hobby. Overall, a few weeks of work is easily required simply to get the hour markers for the Excalibur Knights of the Round Table dial completed. Now you can begin to understand the nature of this timepiece’s price point.
The central motif on the dial includes 56 pieces of hand-applied hexagonal columns made out of either 18k pink gold, glass, black glass, or actual basalt rock. They are applied in a three-dimensional manner and the result both reminds you of Giant’s Causeway and… fantasy tabletop game hex maps that use similar figurines! Please let there be a Roger Dubuis Warhammer watch next… Roger Dubuis might not be so lighthearted when talking about their latest luxury creation, but they admit the Excalibur Knights of the Round Table is meant to “stir the childlike curiosity with everyone.” I think they succeed.
The 18k pink-gold Excalibur case has an interesting bezel design that uses a ring of sapphire crystal to allow for a view through the side to better appreciate the 12 Knights of the Round Table characters. The watch case is also 16.9mm thick, and water resistant to 30 meters. It has a domed AR-coated sapphire crystal on the dial, and a flat sapphire crystal on the caseback allowing for a view of the mechanical movement. Inside the watch is the in-house Roger Dubuis caliber RD821 automatic movement. This movement is an interesting mixture of haute horology and practicality. It is practical because it is a robust and effective 4Hz with 48 hours of power reserve time-only automatic movement, and it is luxurious because it bears the Seal of Geneva. That means a few things, but important for this discussion is how nicely the movement is finished – even the parts you can’t see through the caseback window. I actually prefer the Excalibur Knights of the Round Table without the tourbillon and more practical movement combined with a highly artistic and ornate dial display.
Attached to the Excalibur case is a custom-fit black calf leather strap that is designed to go with the interesting architecture that the Excalibur family is known for. It comes on a matching 18k pink gold folding deployant and is also attached using a quick-release system for easy strap changes. May I recommend a Roger Dubuis rubber strap for wearing this watch whilst being engaged in swordplay? Even the most accomplished hobbyists and miniature figurine fans and devotees will still find affording one of these limited edition watches a true fantasy. Limited to 28 pieces, the reference RDDBEX1094 Excalibur Knights of the Round Table has a retail price of $348,000 USD (without tax). Learn more at the Roger Dubuis website.
