Arguably the most over-the-top brand in Swiss watchmaking, Roger Dubuis has never shied away from extravagance. The maison embraces excess with open arms—more tourbillons, more balance wheels! And what better way to elevate haute horlogerie, or what the brand calls “hyper horology”, than by tattooing every minuscule surface of its already ostentatious timepieces?
To create this engrossing, hyper-detailed trio, watchmaker Roger Dubuis and famed tattoo artist Dr Woo looked to the stars for inspiration.
Enter Dr Woo (born Brian Woo), a first-generation Asian American born to Taiwanese immigrants. Now 44, Dr Woo received his first tattoo at the age of 14, fell in love with skin art, and worked tirelessly to master his craft.
Based in Hollywood, Dr Woo is celebrated for pioneering ultra-fine linework using a single-needle technique, which is a sharp contrast to the traditional multi-needle approach. After an apprenticeship under tattoo legend Mark Mahoney at the iconic Shamrock Social Club, he opened The Hideaway at Suite X inside the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, an intimate, by-appointment-only studio.
His intricate and often photorealistic tattoo work has earned him a cult following and a star-studded clientele that includes Cara Delevingne, Drake, Emilia Clarke, Harry Styles, Miley Cyrus, and Zoë Kravitz. His talent has also translated into vaunted collaborations with brands like Converse and Lamborghini.
In 2021, Dr Woo partnered with Roger Dubuis to unveil a jaw-dropping reinterpretation of the Excalibur Monotourbillon, covered in his signature tattoo motifs. Far from a one-off release, the collaboration marked the beginning of a trilogy of limited editions.
Dr Woo, ever humble despite his accolades, is also the founder of an eponymous skincare brand, Woo Skin Essentials, and once “tattooed” 13 Rolexes for customization house MAD Paris.
For fans who’d like to skip his notoriously long waitlist, owning one of these limited-edition Roger Dubuis watches offers a rare chance to wear Dr Woo’s mesmerizing art.
Excalibur Monotourbillon Dr Woo Episode I (ref. EX0930)
The debut collaboration was an engrossing pink gold introduction to the Roger Dubuis x Dr Woo universe. In a bold departure from the Excalibur’s signature star-shaped bridge, a transparent sapphire disc took its place, etched subtly with the emblematic star. Beneath the skeletonized RD512 caliber lay a second plate engraved with a cosmic map, deepening the space-themed narrative. The signature flying monotourbillon featured a mirror-polished upper carriage in cobalt chrome and a lower carriage in lightweight titanium. For those drawn to detail, Dr Woo’s signature spider insignia revealed itself in no fewer than eight discreet placements, each a hidden nod to his visual language.
Excalibur Monobalancier Dr Woo Episode II (ref. EX1041)
If Episode I captivated with mystery, Episode II delivered full-blown visual impact. This bolder sophomore effort saw geometric patterns inspired by the cosmos scattered across every layer of the Excalibur—on wheels above and beneath the sapphire star disc, encircling the bezel, and running along the spine of the strap. Clad in ceramic, this rendition burst with Dr Woo’s otherworldly designs, even extending his artistry to the sapphire caseback and the Monobalancier itself. It wasn’t just a watch; it was a canvas for his interstellar imagination.
Excalibur Monotourbillon Dr Woo Episode III (ref. EX1125)
Third time’s a charm, indeed. Officially titled We Come In Peace, Episode III is a spellbinding work of horological art, wrapped in Dr Woo’s most intricate detailing yet. Inspired by the Messier 51a galaxy, also known as the Whirlpool Galaxy, its swirling spiral motif is prominently displayed above the Excalibur’s iconic monotourbillon. On closer inspection, a constellation of celestial engravings unfurl across the plates, discs and caseback. Each element of this two-toned titanium and pink gold creation echoes Dr Woo’s unmistakable aesthetic.
All three episodes are 42mm in case size and limited to 28 pieces each.
