Roger Dubuis’ Excalibur Knights of the Round Table II
Legend has it that there was no one more noble than the knights who sat at the round table with King Arthur in Camelot. Having vowed to protect the weak and humble the proud, this symbolic round table contained no head to ensure all those present sat there as equals. As defenders, noblemen, and courageously wise knights, the round table exemplified the chivalrous qualities of strength, discipline, and steadfastness. This year Roger Dubuis has created an exquisite timepiece that embodies those essential qualities and has appropriately dubbed it Excalibur Knights at the Round Table II.
The first 2013 interpretation of the Knights of the Round Table.
The brand has already interpreted the Round Table with a version that was released in 2013. However this year’s re-iteration displays an entirely new level of artistic symbolism and has a style much more reminiscent of the medieval setting of such a legendary tale. The original allegiance around the Round Table was made among 12 Knights, each with their own unique backstory and personality.
To reflect that notion Roger Dubuis has sculpted out of bronze 12 different knights and placed them around the watch’s dial. As a display of true discipline and technical craftsmanship, each miniature knight is only 6.5mm tall and takes an entire day to create. Serving as replacements to a traditional hour marker, the sword of each knight points inwards to symbolize that with a warrior’s spirit, their strength of arm is equalled only by their strength of character.
Three of twelve miniature knights to serve as non-traditional hour markers.
The Excalibur Knights of the Round Table II dial features a table made out of black jade which itself represents power, wisdom, and self control and is believed to curb unhealthy and destructive emotions. Emphasized by a brand-new style of engraving, the dial is full of celtic designs reflecting the Middle Ages setting of the tale of the Knights of the Round Table. The black jade table is surrounded by a white gold ring with a cobblestone engraving of “Roger Dubuis.”
The black jade dial serving as the symbolic round table.
The inner workings of the Excalibur Knights of the Round Table II exemplify the same level of technical prowess and craftsmanship as do the outer workings. The 45mm white gold casing houses Roger Dubuis’ mechanical self-winding Calibre RD821. The movement boasts a 48 hour power reserve and is comprised of 33 jewels with a total of 172 components, each one stamped with “Poinçon de Genève,” ensuring its authentic place of origin. The strength and precision of this in-house movement is purposely parallel with that of a noble knight from King Arthur’s Round Table.
The Excalibur Knights of the Round Table II
There will only be 28 Excalibur Knights of the Round Table II created and sold. The prestigious piece which tells the legend can be purchased for $268,000. It is quite a collector’s item full of evocative symbols of strength and vitality, all done with the highest level of technical craftsmanship, both artistically and horologically speaking. A watch fit for those with the virtuous character on par with a knight at the Round Table.
The case back of the Knights of the Round Table II shows a blue-lacquered coat of arms adorned with golden crowns.
