Within the distant lands of Northern Eire, there’s a shoreline the place the Atlantic crashes towards fractured earth formed like hexagons. Generally known as the Large’s Causeway, hexagonal pillars rise from the ocean like nature’s personal puzzle—its distinctive construction giving life to mythology and legends. Amongst them is the story of Merlin, the legendary Arthurian wizard who is alleged to have as soon as stood on this very shoreline. Right here, he might sense the potent magic of the basalt stones, lifting these hexagonal wonders from the ocean and spreading them out with enchanting geometry.
It’s this elegant magic that Roger Dubuis recaptures of their newest masterpiece, Knights of the Spherical Desk, the Omniscient Merlin. The Maison has not solely integrated basalt into watch, however has assembled a eating regimen of extraordinary supplies to create a dial that mimics this mystical terrain in miniature.
56 particular person blocks are patiently mounted by hand, every rigorously positioned at quite a lot of heights to echo the complicated and storied panorama. Basalt, pink gold, black grass within the Murano model, and clear glass sit on a base plate of 18K pink gold, working in tandem and contrasting with one another to create an interaction of shadows and lightweight. Barely angling some blocks helps intensify the depth of the dial, avoiding a normal honeycomb impact.
Arthur’s Knights
All this units the stage for the primary occasion. On the watch’s edge, twelve knights stand at the prepared, every claiming an hour mark with a novel pose. When you look shut sufficient, you’ll discover a character behind each determine on the Spherical Desk. To imbue every knight with the element of the slimmest weapon or the nuances of a worn helmet, every determine requires as much as three days of meticulous craftsmanship to finish.
Now, it’s time we float again right down to actuality a bit and speak in regards to the extra grounded options. The watch itself has an imposing presence—measuring 45mm in diameter, and 16.87mm thick—but it appears to be like lighter and extra compact in individual than the numbers would possibly recommend. This impact is partly because of the cleverly designed entrance sapphire crystal that extends beneath the bezel, permitting mild to flitter in and providing a transparent view of the dial from the aspect. On the caseback, you’ll discover a 360-degree oscillating weight, designed to evoke the stained-glass home windows of the medieval age. Encircling that is maybe the toughest engraving you’ll ever see on a watch.
“Round this desk, the bravest knights will collect as equals. They’ll set forth in the hunt for journey, righting wrongs, defending the weak and humbling the proud.”
I prefer to suppose that this quote conjures up the automated Monobalancier RD821 calibre beating inside, driving it to function steadily at 28,800 vibrations per hour with an influence reserve of 48-hours.
The Omniscient Merlin is simply one of many many within the Knights of the Spherical Desk sequence that Roger Dubuis has launched however it’s the first to be provided to the general public. With solely 28 items crafted, the invitation has been prolonged—though the selection is in the end yours to determine whether or not you need declare to a seat at this unique spherical desk.
This text was first seen on Esquire Singapore.
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