Roger Dubuis Knights of the Round Table Ice and Fire Watch Review
The Roger Dubuis Knights of the Round Table Ice and Fire is the third and final instalment of the Manufacture’s otherworldy trilogy. Entitled ‘A Story of Ice and Fire’, the dial’s appearance depicts the earth as a cracked landscape. In addition, the housing is formed of Titanium Damascus, employing two different grades of the light material. US-based Meehna Goldsmith looks at this latest offering from the brand famed for Hyper Horology.
King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table
King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table is a legendary tale that goes back centuries. No one knows for sure if the King was based on a real person. Whether or not that is the case, many authors over the years have embellished the story into a beloved and powerful myth. Early renditions come from Welsh and Breton authors, but where the narrative gained its glory was in medieval romances. Here the enduring concept of the Round Table was established. Influential authors credited with popularising the King and his knights are Geoffrey of Monmouth, Chrétien de Troyes, Sir Thomas Malory and the anonymous author of the poem “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”. The 20th-century author T.H. White also contributed with his celebrated and modern retelling.
Roger Dubuis Knights of the Round Table depuis 2013
Today the legend endures, still captivating audiences with its adventurous stories and quests of honour and revenge. Unless you’ve been living off the grid, you’re surely familiar with the most current version of the tale: the highly regarded “Game of Thrones”, a television series based on the series of books by George R.R. Martin entitled “A Song of Ice and Fire”. Debuting in 2011, the HBO series ran for eight years, captivating the imagination of rabid fans and becoming a cultural phenomenon. It was during this time in 2013 that Roger Dubuis introduced the first Knights of the Round Table piece, capitalising on the tale’s renewed popularity.
Roger Dubuis Knights of the Round Table Ice and Fire watch
The newest debut makes no bones about its inspiration, calling out Martin’s series of books in the watch’s name, though I suspect the word “song” was changed to “story” to avoid copyright issues. In the legend, 12 knights sit at the proverbial round table. The traditional dial shape and layout of a timepiece lend themselves perfectly to the idea that the table is round to represent equality among all the knights and their contribution to the cause. And each knight on “A Story of Ice and Fire” keeps vigil as an hour marker.
Roger Dubuis Knights of the Round Table 2023 dial
On Roger Dubuis’s latest horological concept, the 12 knights gather to protect their kingdom from a ferocious cracking of ice above a lake that threatens their survival. The lake is portrayed with transparent blue Murano glass around the flange. It took six months of research and trial and error to come up with the perfect aesthetic cocktail. The same method and materials are used for the main disc and ice blocks that rise up from the lake.
To create the image of the snow on the blocks, they are coated in a technique called biscuit porcelain of Limoges to obtain a matte finish that contrasts with the glistening lake. The ice pieces are then placed singly by hand to create the 3D composition. The knights are also a study of detail and fluidity, each one brought to life with their own characteristics and poses. The process starts with drawings, followed by resin mock-ups for a proportional verisimilitude. Next follows 3D scans, moulding and then casting the 6 mm tall knights in 18K pink gold. But the process doesn’t end there. Indeed, it requires three additional days for the artisans to manually engrave each knight, endowing them with highly refined details such as those seen in the swords and armour.
Titanium Damascus case
Framing this scene, the 45 mm case forged from Titanium Damascus references the same technique that craftsmen have used throughout the centuries, while the choice of titanium showcases the watch’s place in modern horology. What sets the construction apart is the Damascus approach, which consists of a blacksmith stacking Grade 2 and Grade 5 titanium plates. Forged in a scalding furnace, the metal blends together and then is hammered into one block. The process then requires continued heating and crushing to stretch and shape the case into its textured form. One final process, an acid bath, tops off the procedure, revealing wavy layers of Grade 2 titanium beneath.
Handcrafted Knights by Roger Dubuis
For the polished bezel, Roger Dubuis again keeps with the titanium theme. The crown and the protector resemble the shape of the guard of a sword to look as if a blade is inserted into the watch: another allusion to the medieval tale of Arthur releasing the blade from the stone to prove his right as king.
In order to get a full view of those distinctive, handcrafted knights, a window sits beneath the bezel for unobstructed viewing. More detailing is found on the skeletonised blue rotor, inspired by the stained glass windows of the medieval churches and castles of the thematic time period. Though lighter and smaller than is typical, the rotor still performs with the same efficiency as a full-size oscillating weight. Tilted pyramid shapes stay static and line up with the triangular notches around the edge of the case.
Monobalancier RD821 calibre
Driving the time is the in-house automatic Monobalancier RD821 calibre. Not just any calibre, it meets the onerous requirements of the prestigious Poinçon de Genève, a testament to its refined hand-finishing and distinctive build. With a hearty power reserve of 60 hours, you don’t have to stress about the watch losing juice too quickly when not being worn. The timepiece secures to the wrist with a dark blue strap equipped with a Quick Release System to change out the strap to achieve another look.
Roger Dubuis Knights of the Round Table: A Story of Ice and Fire – closing remarks
Limited to just 28 pieces, “A Story of Fire and Ice” perfectly encapsulates the fabled story of King Arthur and his brave knights. In fact, the wizard Merlin’s oath has been metallised under the sapphire caseback, reading “Around this table, the bravest knights will gather as equals. They will set forth in search of adventure, righting wrongs, protecting the weak and humbling the proud.”
Over the years, Roger Dubuis has carved out a niche for building incredibly realistic miniature scenes. “A Story of Fire and Ice” demonstrates the brand’s raison d’etre of combining Haute Horlogerie techniques with boundary-pushing design. There’s nothing quite like these remarkable pieces on the market. They will be treasured for their concept and very likely could convert almost anyone into a fan of the legend.
Further reading
Technical specifications
- Model: Roger Dubuis Knights of the Round Table Ice and Fire
- Reference: RDDBEX1058
- Case: Titanium Damascus, diameter 45 mm, water resistance 3 ATM (30 m), sapphire crystal to the front and exhibition case back.
- Functions: hours, minutes
- Movement: RD821 calibre, self-winding movement, frequency 28,800 vph (4Hz), 33 jewels, power reserve 48 hours.
- Strap: calf leather strap interchangeable with Quick Release System – QRS.
- Price upon request
- Limited Edition: 28 pieces