The stars have aligned again. In the furthest reaches of expressive watchmaking, artistry and innovation have crossed celestial paths once more as Roger Dubuis and Dr. Woo continue their cosmic journey in design. Like the vast space beyond our world, inspiration has been limitless, allowing two traditional crafts to be fused into a single bold creation.
Introducing the Excalibur Dr. Woo Monobalancier. A stellar meeting point of Hyper Horology™ and exquisite tattoo art.
Following an astonishing Monotourbillon release in 2021, this is the second dedicated launch between these two partners. This time, the iconic tattoo artist Dr. Woo steps back into Roger Dubuis’ most important room, the Manufacture itself, to lend his skilful touch to the Excalibur Monobalancier. In 2022, this renowned timepiece was recrafted and reshaped with clean-cut lines along the case and movement, and a palette of modern materials, turning it into the perfect playground for the Maison’s collaboration with its Urban Culture Tribe. Through exceptional skill and watchmaking ingenuity, the Excalibur Monobalancier is now the ultimate canvas for creativity.
For Dr. Woo, the inspiration heads towards complex surfaces of ceramic, where time moves between the forces of sun, Earth and moon.
A Shared Spirit
With the invention of Hyper Horology™, Roger Dubuis has continually sought to upturn the rules, and drive traditional watchmaking into a contemporary new era through daring craftsmanship, performance, and innovation.
Likewise, Dr. Woo is a master of his art and a respected name within the urban culture scene. Having tattooed for some of the biggest names in the world of celebrity and beyond, he has always brought purposeful expression to his work. His signature style is a striking deviation from the heavy lines and bright colours of traditional tattooing, and his distinctive ultra-fine style has transformed not only the imagery, but also the culture of his craft, as he envisions an exciting space to grow and develop.
Together, Roger Dubuis and Dr. Woo are the perfect companions for design exploration. Attention to detail is paramount. Progress is essential.
A Galaxy in Motion
The voyage into this powerful Monobalancier watch begins on the dial, where three celestial bodies take centre stage. Between 10 and 11 o’clock, you’ll find the fiery rotation of the sun, laser-engraved with meticulous lines, shapes, and dots on a PVD black brass plate. Covering the calibre’s micro-rotor, the plate is in constant motion, churning quickly and hypnotically as the wearer moves their wrist.
Next is the Earth. Covering the barrel, between 4 and 5 o’clock, this revolving energy source is once again embellished with Dr. Woo’s delicate art and is ingeniously linked to the turning of the watch’s hands. This allows the disc to complete one peaceful turn every 6 hours and 40 minutes (or 3.6 rotations per day).
Finally, the design journey passes via the moon. A slender crescent at 8 o’clock, adorned in fine circles and lines, and beautifully revealing the inner workings of the balance wheel beneath. The wondrous sliver of light represents a waning crescent moon, a meaningful time associated with intuition and understanding.
As if staring into the night sky, this fantastic vision of spiralling components has a transfixing quality that will captivate the wearer for hours. The theme is further replicated on the caseback, where the sun, Earth, and moon have been inscribed alongside Dr. Woo’s own name.
A New Trajectory
Other symbols play a prominent role too. One that needs no introduction is the signature spider of Dr. Woo, positioned between 2 and 3 o’clock. This secret passenger was already on board in the first Edition released in 2021. Now, the spider returns, this time engraved in black on a sapphire disc inside the watch, positioned on the flange. It’s a motif of strength and protection that gives each of these timepieces a solid connection to the artist.
Continuing further, the inside sapphire disc is also radiantly engraved with a gold metallised Roger Dubuis astral star – reinterpreted through this unique collaboration. It symbolizes the cosmic journey of the 3D carved rocket ship, which began in the first Limited Edition timepiece, and now explores a new galaxy around the sun, Earth, and moon. Not only do the points of the star connect with pink goldtone hour markers, but the final beam at 9 o’clock completes its trajectory, which hurtles towards an unknown but promising future. Where next? We can only imagine.
In His Words
Talking about the new Monobalancier timepiece, Dr. Woo says, “Within this design, we were able to contemplate the way time moves in our galaxy, as our own Solar System is such an incredible place of enduring rhythms and shifting patterns. With their one-of-a-kind Hyper Horology™ approach, Roger Dubuis delivered a truly powerful and innovative platform for our creativity to flow.”
Mastering Ceramic
The new Excalibur Dr. Woo Monobalancier is housed within a sleek black ceramic case. While most watchmakers will adapt their ceramic cases to suit the material, Roger Dubuis has achieved the opposite. In a display of true prowess, the Maison has refused to compromise on its sharp case shape and has manipulated the difficult material so that it conforms to the exact structure desired.
While this process takes 15 times longer than crafting the same case from gold, it’s a painstaking task that has multiple benefits for the wearer. Hyper-resistant to daily scratches and refusing to tarnish over time, Roger Dubuis’ ceramic timepieces are a sublime combination of durability and style.
This 42mm ceramic case is engraved with Dr. Woo’s symbolic language. From sharp triangles that bounce forth from the ground, to full circles that represent infinite human connection, his enigmatic iconography surrounds the bezel and flange. Open to its own interpretation, the distinctive array of geometric symbols is curious and compelling, and is also stamped on the calf-skin leather strap. To enable personal creativity to shine, the strap features a versatile quick release system, enabling the wearer to switch it in seconds.
The Iconic Excalibur Monobalancier Calibre
The Excalibur Dr. Woo Monobalancier is powered by the automatic RD720SQ – a calibre already well-known for its performance. The micro-rotor, covered by the sun, is designed to minimise vibrations, while the remarkable inertia of its balance wheel maximises stability and reduces its sensitivity to shocks. The advanced mechanics of the diamond-coated silicon escapement wheel, paired with diamond-coated silicon pallet-stones, ensure an impressive 72 hours of power reserve, bringing even more practicality and comfort to the wearer. Complying with the ultra-respected Poinçon de Genève certification, the Excalibur Dr. Woo Monobalancier is designed like a contemporary work of art. Every single component is finished by hand, highlighting an exceptional standard of skill and passion.
The Art of Permanence
Like the meeting of ink on skin, this is a watch of permanent significance. An enduring reminder to chase every horizon and to live every hour as if it has no bounds. The Excalibur Dr. Woo Monobalancier is a rare piece of stardust in the world of Hyper Horology™. Limited to just 28 pieces, it is instantly collectible and provides the opportunity to share in a truly unique collaboration.
