When a tattoo artist meets a Swiss watchmaker, the result is anything but expected. In their third collaborative chapter, Roger Dubuis (Instagram) and renowned LA-based artist Dr. Woo (Instagram) launched the Excalibur Monotourbillon Dr. Woo Episode III—a cosmic odyssey of design, craft, and philosophical exploration, wrapped around a flying tourbillon.
Since their first partnership in 2021, Roger Dubuis and Dr. Woo have pushed the boundaries of luxury watchmaking, using timepieces not just as instruments, but as vessels of narrative and symbolism. What began as a metaphysical meditation on time has now evolved into a galactic voyage. This year’s edition draws inspiration from the Whirlpool Galaxy—also known as Messier 51a—captured in striking detail by the James Webb Telescope. Through dial decoration, component design, and meticulous finishes, the watch captures the hypnotic beauty of space and the infinite spiral of time.
At the centre of it all: Dr. Woo’s signature style, defined by a single-needle, monochromatic technique, reinterpreted in micro-sculpture, engraving, and metallization. “I’m always inspired by discovery,” says Dr. Woo. “In this new creation, we’re not only exploring the endless expanse of space, but also looking inward at our own artistic and watchmaking capabilities.”
The Excalibur Monotourbillon Dr. Woo Episode III is powered by the RD515 calibre, a 72-hour power reserve movement adorned with 16 different types of hand finishing and certified by the prestigious Poinçon de Genève. At 7 o’clock, a transformed flying tourbillon cage mirrors the spiral of a galaxy, with a newly engineered upper bridge in polished stainless steel gleaming like a distant constellation.
This isn’t a watch you merely wear—it’s one you interpret. A rocket etched in pink gold appears above the sapphire crystal, carrying the message “We Come in Peace.” A spider—Dr. Woo’s enduring icon—rests at 10 o’clock, laser-engraved and ink-filled in a nod to tattoo craftsmanship. Nearby, three pink gold nebulas hover on the glass, marking the entrance to a symbolic black hole.
From the caseback, the journey continues. A spiral-shaped component, visible through the transparent sapphire, marks the “exit” of the black hole and is surrounded by a radiating checkerboard—an optical metaphor for distortion, time travel, and transformation.
The caseback also features an engraved dedication, as poetic as it is futuristic: “Let’s work together to uncover the mysteries of the cosmos and unlock the secrets of the universe. To whoever finds this message, know that we are seekers of knowledge and explorers of the unknown.”
Constructed from a rare bi-colour mix of 18K pink gold and titanium, the 42mm case pairs substance with lightness. The bracelet features Roger Dubuis’ Quick Release System for easy customization, while the bezel and links are etched with Dr. Woo’s cryptic design language—a symbolic alphabet open to interpretation.
Inside the matte-black barrel cover, planets and cosmic rings in pink gold shift with time, revealing new constellations as the watch ticks forward. It’s a slow, deliberate reminder that time is both movement and mystery.
Limited to just 28 pieces, Excalibur Monotourbillon Dr. Woo Episode III continues to break new ground where art meets engineering. What could have been a fleeting collaboration has become a trilogy of creative alignment—a place where tattoo artistry, horological mastery, and cosmic curiosity exist in perfect orbit.
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