The Omniscient Merlin timepiece by Roger Dubuis
It's laughable when you hear people say smart watches will make mechanical ones become obsolete. Clearly, these people don't understand the allure of mechanical watches. These days, telling time accurately is only a small part of the story of the value of a mechanical watch.
There are some remarkably artistic watches on the market, but sometimes you see a few that are truly mind-blowing. Not necessarily because of the price tag or the extravagant use of precious metals or diamonds but more about the artistic prowess and creativity they display.
One of such watches is The Omniscient Merlin timepiece by Roger Dubuis, the newest addition to the Knights of the Round Table collection. Now, Roger Dubuis falls into the category of watchmakers with bold designs that you either love or hate. It is hard not to recognize a Roger Dubuis watch if you're familiar with the brand's styling.
Paying tribute to the mythical magician Merlin in the King Arthur legend, anyone who appreciates art and creative genius will likely look at this watch and smile.
Now, this isn't the first watch in the collection. Roger Dubuis started the collection in 2013, and the watches look very similar (surprise, surprise). However, the current iteration is arguably the most understated, which in my opinion, gives it an added touch of elegance.
The unique dial on this watch features 56 blocks finished in gold, black, and a translucent hue, all arranged to depict the Giant's Causeway featured in the legend of King Arthur. If you've visited the UNESCO World Heritage Site Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland or simply seen photos of it, you will immediately see the resemblance.
Beyond this, the most striking thing about this beautiful timepiece is the 12 6mm chivalrous warriors finished in 18-carat gold and black patina at each hour position. Each warrior has intricate details that appear like you need a microscope to truly appreciate. Crafting that level of detail on such tiny sculptures must take an incredible amount of talent and patience only a few possess.
Peering through the sapphire caseback reveals more details of each knight and the interplay of light and shadows produced by the columns on the dial. With all that in view, you can almost overlook the automatic Monobalcner RD821 caliber that powers the watch. This caliber has 172 components in a compact size that leaves space for the knights.
The caliber comes with a power reserve of 48 hours, water resistance down to 30m and its 14 different types of hand-finishing have earned it the prestigious Poinçon de Genève.
The 45mm case finished in pink gold has a beautiful crown shaped like the guard of a sword. Reflecting Roger Dubius's expertise in skeletonized design, the 360-degree oscillating weight on the caseback takes inspiration from the look of windows on medieval castles. It beautifully combines aesthetics and performance.
The calf-skin leather strap with a pink gold quick-release system nicely complements the watch and gives it that additional touch of elegance. Only 28 of the timepieces will be made, and to every owner out there, I'd say I understand if you want to place this piece of art in a safe instead of wearing it. It truly is a remarkable work of art.
