Parody Stone
Heritage & Inspiration
Few names evoke a sense of quintessential Englishness in the way that dunhill does, but long before our imaginative, innovative and charmingly eccentric founder came along there was an individual who remains as symbolic of our isle today as he was 1,000 years ago - the great King Arthur.
Some say this chieftain and formidable warrior never even existed but, whether he did or not, his place at the heart of British history was assured by the creation of a series of celebrated literary works which have come to be known collectively as ‘Arthurian Legend.’
In honour of King Arthur and the 12 Knights of the Round Table, A. Dunhill Ltd. has created just the type of wristwatch which, like each of them, is entirely individual; like their suits of armour, it is exquisitely hand-made; like their swords of battle, it is tough and dependable - but above all, it is proudly English and unique.
Quintessentially English
The Parody Stone is limited to just 250 pieces, each with a case made from the purest white gold with a dial hewn from obsidian stone to represent the rock from which Arthur pulled Merlin's sword, Excalibur, in order to become King.
Likewise the minute hand is an exquisite miniaturisation of Excalibur´s mighty blade; while just below the 12 o´clock position is a shield-shaped date aperture bearing the Cross of St. George.
Each opaque dial is subtly decorated from behind with that most English of symbols, the three lions, while the case lugs are enhanced by scrollwork decoration and the onion-shaped winder lends a further hint of the medieval.
A Knight's Visor
The 40 millimetre case houses a Swiss, large-date, Dubois-Dépraz automatic movement. The large date below 12 o´clock can be seen through a shield aperture in the protective visor, cleverly cut out to allow the time to be read while it is in the closed position.
The crowning glory of the Parody Stone, however, is its hand-cut guard which hinges across the flat, sapphire crystal to protect the watch from the knocks and scrapes of everyday life, just as a knight´s visor would protect him in battle.