Haute Time Talks With Tattoo Artist Dr.Woo About His Exciting Collaboration With Roger Dubuis

In its universe of hyper horology, Roger Dubuis likes to seek out like-minded individuals to collaborate. One of them is celebrity tattoo artist Dr.Woo. He applied his magic touch to the Monotroubillon, crafted from Eon gold and limited to just 8 pieces. Haute Time sat down with Dr.Woo, to talk with him about this exciting collaboration;

Haute Time: What inspired you to become a tattoo artist?
Dr.Woo: I was first inspired by the rebellious idea of doing something that, at that time, was very taboo – outside the circle of what was accepted. Tattooing was something that would allow me to push boundaries and to force myself and others to rethink how culturally we can work and be successful.
I also wanted to do something atypic, that would allow me to feel free and to build something out of my creativity.
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Haute Time: How do you approach the design of a tattoo?
Dr.Woo: I’m a very collaborative tattoo artist.
Every creation is referenced with the client’s idea. It’s not only about my own style. I always take the time to get a clear cut vision of what the client has in mind before I interpret it and turn it into my art.My ultimate goal is to make the customer happy and proud.

Haute Time: What is the difference between a good tattoo and a great tattoo?
Dr.Woo: I think a great tattoo artist isn’t just able to put a good tattoo on skin but has the whole portfolio of hard work and tattoo culture. Tattoos have a verycolorful history and tattooing is a culturally significant job that has been around since the dawn of time.
Therefore a great tattoo is the result of a technically proficient artist who understands the richness of its culture and has spent time learning and working with other tattoo artists .

Haute Time: What made you collaborate with Roger Dubuis?
Dr.Woo: Hyper horology reminds me of tattoos years ago, meaning an exclusive world that not everyone can enter. But I’m always eager to learn and to push my own boundaries. I wanted to understand how to express myself in the universe of fine watches.
Roger Dubuis was a natural fit with me: the Maison is creative and wants to break the rules. Most importantly, I was looking for a high-level watchmaking partner able to create timepieces that last forever and always keep their integrity.

Haute Time: How did the collaboration go?
Dr.Woo: At first, I was very intimidated. But the Roger Dubuis team was very collaborative, open minded and eager to bring our visions together.
Along the way we never had problem of communication or clashing ideas.
“NO” was never an answer and in that sense our back and forths were really eye-opening. We were able to see beyond the technical limits and bend them. It has been an exciting challenge and such a beautiful way to bring this masterpiece to life. I’m so glad we started this collaboration!

Haute Time: What are you most proud of in regards to the watch?
Dr.Woo: I like to remember that this timepiece has brought together people from different backgrounds, working towards the same aim of creating a unique work-of-art.
My pride reached its peak the day I actually laid my hands on the Excalibur DrWoo Monotourbillon for the first time. At that very moment I realized how truly unique, exquisite and high-end is this masterpiece.