Elysium
Dr Woo x Roger Dubuis. In the galaxy of luxury watchmaking, few collaborations sparkle as brightly as the one between Swiss horological innovator Roger Dubuis and world-renowned tattoo artist Dr. Woo. Their third creative venture, Excalibur Monotourbillon Dr. Woo Episode III, blasts off into a mesmerizing blend of mechanical mastery and celestial storytelling. With only 28 pieces produced, this is more than just a watch — it’s a cosmic experience, sculpted in gold, titanium, and dreams.
The Power Duo: Dr Woo x Roger Dubuis Collaboration
The partnership began in 2021, driven by a shared passion for expressivity, precision, and pushing the boundaries of art and engineering. Dr. Woo, famous for his intricate single-needle tattoo work, found a kindred spirit in Roger Dubuis, a maison known for rebellious haute horlogerie.
Both trailblazers in their fields, they found common ground in individuality. Their collaboration was not just a meeting of aesthetics, but a philosophical alignment: celebrating the passage of time as both a spiritual journey and a creative canvas.
Evolution Through Time: The Trilogy So Far
Episode I (2021): The debut Monotourbillon captured attention with its philosophical theme — “Time is our most valuable asset.” A spaceship, spider, and symbolic motifs set the tone.
Episode II (2023): Introduced the Excalibur Monobalancier, featuring a ceramic casing and a galactic dial that portrays the sun, Earth, and moon in cosmic harmony.
Episode III (2025): The story ventures further into space, guided by the gravitational beauty of Messier 51a — the Whirlpool Galaxy — with design elements echoing its spiral structure and metaphysical implications.
The Excalibur Monotourbillon Dr. Woo Episode III Unveiled
This third timepiece in the trilogy is genuinely out of this world. Cased in a rare bi-color fusion of 18K pink gold and titanium, and limited to just 28 units, it channels the magnificence of space through masterful watchmaking.
At its core is the Tourbillon Galaxy—a physical interpretation of galactic swirl brought to life through meticulous detailing and design metaphors, perfectly matching Roger Dubuis’ astral theme.
The Galactic Vision: Space-Inspired Aesthetics
Inspired by NASA’s James Webb Telescope image of the Whirlpool Galaxy captured in August 2023, the watch embodies the circular motion of time and cosmic birth. The spiraling arms seen in the galaxy are mimicked in the movement of the tourbillon complication, connecting the rhythm of the universe with the rhythm of the watch.
Astral Elements & Iconography
Dr. Woo’s signature spider, symbolic spaceship, and mystical runes return once more. These timeless motifs, etched with laser precision, offer continuity across the trilogy and deepen the watch’s narrative significance.
Each symbol holds a different meaning — protection, movement, and exploration — combining his tattoo heritage with horological storytelling.
Meticulous Dial Decorations
The dial itself is a marvel. Floating on sapphire crystal is Dr. Woo’s spaceship, constructed through 3D galvanic growth and highlighted with pink gold metallization. Below it, a subtle yet powerful message reads: “We Come in Peace.”
This emotional declaration aligns with the watch’s mission — to communicate through beauty and design, not just function.
Into the Black Hole: Corridors of Time
At 10–11 o’clock, a spiraling stainless steel component represents a black hole, inviting the wearer into another dimension. Coated in pink gold and laser-engraved, it leads the imagination on a journey beyond the physical.
Flip the watch over, and that black hole becomes an exit portal, visible on the caseback — now filled with black color and surrounded by a hypnotic spiral in a chequerboard pattern, achieved via selective metallization.
The Rear Revelation: Caseback Mystique
The message encircling the caseback reads:
“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.”
This poetic engraving transforms the watch into a message capsule, combining cosmic philosophy with haute horlogerie.
A Tourbillon Transformed: Calibre RD515 Breakdown
The centerpiece of this cosmic instrument is the RD515 calibre — a flying tourbillon placed at 7 o’clock. Roger Dubuis reshaped its upper bridge into three minimalist arms to accommodate a spiral shaped like the Whirlpool Galaxy.
Crafted from polished stainless steel, the component allows for mirror finishing—a testament to the watchmaker’s high standards. Certified with the Poinçon de Genève, the movement comprises 193 hand-finished components, offering a 72-hour power reserve.
Mechanics Meet Metaphor: The Moving Cosmos
At 1 o’clock, a galaxy motif with pink gold planetary transfers spins in rhythm with the watch’s barrel. As the watch ticks—or is manually wound—this cosmic panorama rotates, offering a kinetic view of a swirling galaxy.
Form Meets Function: Bi-Color Material Construction
Built from 18K pink gold and titanium, the watch measures 42mm, offering both durability and lightness. The Quick Release System enables strap changes without the need for tools — a convenience that adapts to modern life.
Tattoo Language in Watch Design
Around the bezel and bracelet links, Dr. Woo’s mystic symbols are laser-etched into the metal. Like ancient hieroglyphs, they speak to the subconscious, leaving interpretation to the wearer, and deepening the personal connection.
The Message: “We Come in Peace”
Not just an artistic motif, this message is a symbol of unity and understanding. It aligns with the collaboration’s deeper mission: crossing boundaries of art, science, and culture to connect with the universe.
Art, Engineering, and Philosophy
This timepiece is a conversation between cosmic storytelling and mechanical expertise. It reminds us that watchmaking is not just about time, but about memory, legacy, and imagination.
Rarity and Exclusivity
With only 28 pieces available globally, owning one is akin to acquiring a modern relic—a statement of personal style, artistic allegiance, and horological taste.
Why This Collaboration Matters in Watchmaking
It’s rare to see a brand so firmly rooted in technical mastery partner with an artist so deeply steeped in cultural resonance. Yet, Dr Woo x Roger Dubuis manages to create a bridge between galaxies, disciplines, and generations.
Elysium987: Expert Media Take on the Collaboration
According to Elysium987, a trusted voice in luxury timepieces, this collaboration “sets a new gold standard for artist-meets-engineer in haute horlogerie. The Episode III not only exemplifies mechanical prowess but also elevates horology into narrative art.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Only 28 units have been made globally, highlighting its exclusivity.
These are Dr. Woo’s recurring tattoo motifs, symbolizing creativity, movement, and mystery.
The watch is driven by the Calibre RD515, a flying tourbillon movement with a 72-hour power reserve.
A rare mix of 18K pink gold and titanium ensures elegance and lightness.
Yes, it features a Quick Release System for easy strap customization.
It reflects the watch’s artistic and philosophical mission to communicate harmony and unity across disciplines.
Excalibur Monotourbillon Dr. Woo Episode III – RDDBEX1125
Limited Edition of 28 Pieces | Boutique Exclusive | Poinçon de Genève Certified
🔭 Technical Highlights
- The final and most symbolic chapter of the Roger Dubuis x Dr. Woo collaboration.
- Inspired by galactic aesthetics and the gravitational pull of black holes.
- Unique two-tone construction: Titanium and 18K Pink Gold case and bracelet.
- Features a metaphoric spiral tourbillon cage and engraved celestial elements.
🛠️ Movement – Calibre RD515
- Type: Manual-winding skeleton movement with flying monotourbillon
- Special Feature: Vortex-inspired tourbillon cage, symbolizing cosmic absorption
- Finishing: 16 exclusive in-house Geneva-standard finishes, blending matte and polished textures for enhanced light play
- Power Reserve: 72 hours
- Frequency: 3 Hz (21,600 vph)
- Dimensions: 16 lines of diameter, 6.9 mm thickness
- Jewels: 19
- Components: 194 meticulously finished parts
🧱 Case
- Material: Grade 5 Titanium with 18K Pink Gold bezel and caseback
- Crystal: Sapphire, front and back
- Size: 42 mm diameter
- Thickness: 12.62 mm
- Water Resistance: 10 BAR (100 meters)
🌌 Dial
- Finish: Rhodium-plated dual-surface flange, satin-brushed with polished transferred texts
- Markers: Pink gold-plated with black Super-LumiNova (SLN)
- Design: Pink gold metallized sapphire glass with integrated 3D black hole and galaxy-themed barrel cover
⌚ Hands
- Material: Triple-finish White Gold (750/1000)
- Details: Satin-brushed angled surfaces, shot-blasted flat surfaces, black SLN tips for visibility
🔗 Bracelet
- Type: Quick Release System (QRS)
- Material: Integrated Titanium and 18K Pink Gold
- Buckle: Triple folding clasp for added comfort and security
