The most recent boutique-only restricted version watch from Swiss Roger Dubuis is the Geneva-based luxurious model’s third product collaboration with the Los Angeles-based tattoo artist Dr. Woo. The watch is named the Roger Dubuis Excalibur Monotourbillon Dr. Woo Episode III. The product is definitely not for everybody, however I used to be personally charmed by the two-tone titanium and gold case with matching bracelet, and the mental (but hip) art work that decorates this base Excalibur Monotourbillon timepiece. Are you able to journey to the “tourbillon galaxy?”
The decor on this Roger Dubuis watch makes for an attention-grabbing instance of what most tattoo artwork truly is (granted, the artwork is utilized to a wrist watch versus an individual’s pores and skin). This being a watch, Dr. Woo needed to play with notions of time, the origins of how we measure time, commentary on the construction of the mechanical motion, and numerous small esoteric symbols that folks appear to get pleasure from, packed right into a smaller composition. The art work is each evocative of emotional themes and likewise focuses on nice aesthetics within the type of the shapes and preparations of the small print. The result is supposed to be a pleasant-looking composition that enhances the bottom floor whereas additionally being suggestive of the persona and values of the factor it decorates (right here, the watch in addition to the wearer). There may be little danger of tattoo artwork being accused of being overly summary or a non-sequiter due to the sturdy tendency for such artwork to be extremely interpretative (versus particular) in its that means. So the way in which to correctly consider tattoo artwork is in how effectively it decorates the article or individual to which it’s utilized, and the way compelling the visuals are. Most individuals would moderately get misplaced within the particulars versus making an attempt to clarify all of them. The Roger Dubuis Excalibur Monotourbillon Dr. Woo Episode III is a feast of small particulars – all of which have normal that means to time, the way it suits into society, the act of sporting an unique timepiece, and the actual mechanical options of this Roger Dubuis tourbillon timepiece.
Whereas the Roger Dubuis Excalibur Monotourbillon Dr. Woo Episode III just isn’t what I might name a futuristic design, it’s a futurism-focused wristwatch. Moderately than emphasizing nostalgia from the previous, this watch promotes optimistic messages in regards to the future. The core message of the watch is that if we (people) all get alongside rather well, we are able to cooperate to tackle the celebs. This may be seen in statements corresponding to “We Come In Peace” written on the dial by way of one of many rocket trails. There may be additionally the assertion “Let’s work collectively to uncover the mysteries of the cosmos and unlock the secrets and techniques of the universe. To whoever finds this message, know that we’re seekers of information and explorers of the unknown.” This can be a notably human-centric and mystical strategy to appreciating one thing as scientific because the monitoring of time and learning the cosmos. Dr. Woo is aware of that whereas all these subjects have comparatively dry, mathematical empirical foundations, lay folks actually get excited in regards to the potential of all of it and the theoretical unknowns which can be tantalized by the research. That is basically pop artwork on prime of science and engineering – an idea that has been comparatively profitable within the luxurious watch area since high-end timepieces are just about all a calculated combination of emotional dreaming and technical actuality.
Probably the most enjoyable particulars of the Roger Dubuis Excalibur Monotourbillon Dr. Woo Episode III watch are among the smaller graphical particulars and shapes that Dr. Woo determined to use to this base Excalibur Monotourbillon. Many Roger Dubuis actions use a star-style bridge, which will be seen by way of the skeletonized dial. Right here, a lot much less of the Roger Dubuis Geneva Seal-certified manually-wound motion will be noticed by way of the entrance and rear of the watch, given the applying of probably the most gold-tone metallized graphics printed on the assorted sapphire crystals that are above and beneath the mechanical motion. Dr. Woo designed a star-shaped rocket path that mimics the signature Roger Dubuis bridge model. On this star form, round 10 o’clock on the face is a tiny black-colored character that I at first thought was detritus. As a substitute, it’s a small spider that’s apparently a repeating theme in a lot of Dr. Woos’ works.
Dr. Woo makes an try and get playful and mental with how he designed the tourbillon cage. It’s meant to appear to be a spinning area galaxy, modeled after an precise galaxy known as the “whirlwind galaxy” (don’t most galaxies appear to be whirlwinds?). Since “tourbillon” is French for “whirlwind,” it is sensible to show the spinning tourbillon into the form of a galaxy. It’s believed that on the heart of many galaxies are black holes. So Dr. Woo builds on this theme by way of each the graphics on the entrance and primarily rear of the case. The rear of the case has a twirling “area time” motif within the type of a graphical grid format that’s usually utilized by astronomers and scientists who attempt to construct visible representations of how ideas like area time or gravity work in bodily planes.
Across the 18k pink gold bezel of this Excalibur Monotourbillon Dr. Woo Episode III watch, and on among the bracelet hyperlinks, are a collection of pictographic characters. Meant to look one thing like alien hieroglyphics – these attention-grabbing shapes add thriller and character to the general composition. They’re in all probability only a superficial beauty therapy, however nothing provides thriller to a space-theme idea like a supposed language that the viewer doesn’t perceive. Once more, whereas Dr. Woo is clearly impressed by the significance and truth-discovery inherent within the astronomical and horological sciences, this restricted version Roger Dubuis watch is a enjoyable, inventive illustration of his awe and amazement in regards to the universe, extra so than a illustration of any info or empirical diagrams.
I like the look ahead to its enjoyable and decor, however have a sober understanding of its goal and the way Dr. Woo took a base Roger Dubuis Excalibur Tourbillon (“Monotourbillon” as a result of it has one tourbillon in comparison with another Roger Dubuis merchandise which have two) to show into one thing together with his signature look, for primarily his followers. Already liking two-tone watches, and the sporting expertise of the 42mm vast Excalibur case and bracelet, my bias towards this Roger Dubuis watch is especially constructive. I additionally like richly embellished watches and playful executions of in any other case critical mechanisms. Downsides to the watch embrace the truth that a lot of the particular motion is obscured because of the graphics, and that not everybody will discover the consequence aesthetically pleasing. It’s a bit jumbled and frenetic for some tastes, however Roger Dubuis is barely going to make 28 items of this third collaboration product with Dr. Woo.
Along with being 42mm vast, the Roger Dubuis Excalibur Monotourbillon Dr. Woo Episode III is 12.6mm thick and is water-proof to 100 meters. Contained in the watch is the in-house made and Geneva Seal-certified Roger Dubuis caliber RD515 manually wound time-only flying tourbillon motion. It operates at 3Hz with an influence reserve of 72 hours. The motion options numerous hand ending and ornament, although you may’t see a lot of that on this explicit watch due to the additional sapphire crystal dial, which has a lot of the graphics printed on it. The massive polished metal whirlwind galaxy-style tourbillon case is a serious centerpiece of the dial, along with the hour and minute arms, which truly aren’t that troublesome to learn (comparatively talking, that’s).
At greatest, this watch is a contemporary and playful tackle the Roger Dubuis Excalibur Monotourbillon imagined by a preferred and noteworthy artist and tattoo skilled. Clearly, the connection between Roger Dubuis and Dr. Woo has been fruitful sufficient to advantage three design collaborations already. At its worst, this watch promotes a pleasing however naive obfuscation of human intent and intrepidness. People most definitely “don’t are available in peace,” wherever we go, regardless that we clearly like to inform ourselves that. We come to overcome, however will fortunately keep away from a combat if we get what we would like with out violence. People are additionally nowhere close to being at some extent the place we are able to cooperate to tackle the cosmos collectively. Moderately, we’re a species that’s desirous about exploring new locations to inhabit and conquer, and can mercilessly compete with each other to get there. Black holes are additionally final locations of destruction. If our species’ explorers got down to discover them, we’d be taught a lot within the course of, however may even inevitably traverse to our doom. Dr. Woos’ messages are definitely consistent with up to date “really feel good mantras,” however maybe he’s conscious that a lot of this saccharine guarantees in regards to the trajectory of human exploration are in the end futile. Good artwork, even if you don’t agree with it, all the time makes sturdy observations in regards to the state of human understanding and tradition. So like a great tattoo, the Roger Dubuis Excalibur Monotourbillon Dr. Woo Episode III is eye-catching, attention-grabbing, and performs with salient themes. But in addition like a great tattoo, a lot of the that means is barely superficially pores and skin deep, and the final word worth of the composition stays the factor beneath the graphical work.
The Roger Dubuis Excalibur Monotourbillon Dr. Woo Episode III watch shall be produced as a restricted version of 28 items, solely out there by way of Roger Dubuis model boutiques worldwide. Worth for this reference RDDBEX1125 Roger Dubuis watch is $170,500 USD. Learn more at the Roger Dubuis website.
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