Romain Jerome Salutes Lady Liberty

Romain Jerome DNA collection is an intriguing assortment of history's footprints, the latest of which is a piece of Lady Liberty herself incorporated into its Liberty DNA timepieces.
Romain Jerome collaborated  with Liberty-Ellis Foundation and Gold Leaf Corporation who assisted Romain Jerome in the acquisition of tiny amounts of Lady Liberty herself.
This is the best  horological representation of the Statue of Liberty I have ever seen. The dial is Verdigris - the green pigment associated with the oxidized bronze green hue of Lady Liberty.  The weathered texture completes the look . Embedded in the dial are actual pieces from the Statue of Liberty.  A bronze guard attached to a bronze bezel hovers over the dial representing Lady Liberty's Crown. The 46mm wide case is crafted in bronze, which will patina in time due to the natural exposure to the elements and eventually resemble the Statue of Liberty.
  Within the case a RH001-A automatic movement capable of a 42 hour power reserve tracks hours and minutes. The Liberty Torch and Flame are emblazoned on the case back signifying the Universal Symbol of Freedom and Democracy - just in time for the fourth of July.  America's Independence day.

The Liberty DNA timepiece presented on a brown alligator strap  is limited to 125 pieces and retails for $14,900.00.

Happy July 4th! 

Romain Jerome Latest Edition to Titanic Tourbillon and DNA Collection

 Romain Jerome Chrono Tourbillon Limited Edition is immediately recognized by its steel oxidised bezel.  This bezel has become a signature standard for the DNA line.  The bezel is oxidized individually in water to achieve a unique bezel footprint  meaning no two Romain Jerome Bezels will have the same oxidisation pattern. The chronograph skeleton dial  frames three sub dials incorporating the tourbillon and chronograph readouts.  Three models of this watch will be available crafted in a steel case, a black PVD steel case or an 18k red gold case. But don't get the "gimmes I must have this watch" just yet  Only 9 of each model will be available and the price will run you from about 199,000 - 219,000 Swiss Francs. 

Although I love this watch I was kind of  hoping that Romain Jerome would release a Titanic 100 year commemoration timepiece, since it was exactly 100 years on April 15th, since the tragic disaster occurred. After all Romain Jerome has fashioned its watches with steel from the Titanic and has taken great lengths to fuse this history into the actual components of the watch. We'll just have to wait and see.

Steam Punk Watches A New Dimension of Time Telling

What is it with steam punk and watches, and I say everything. Steam punk is gears, steampunk is clocks and leather and rust and joints and levers mechanic, as if the object has a life of its own in a time far gone or a time yet to come.  I happened upon this website and the name alludes me simply because its title is in Chinese or Japanese or Korean (I think).  But where as I had trouble understanding the words, I had no trouble understanding the timepieces- they are steampunk all the way.

Steampunk is a curious genre in that it evokes a mysterious emotion, one cannot quite grasp. What exactly is it, well its interpretation cannot fit within the neat little description upon the pages of an Oxford Dictionary.  The genre has enabled watch makers to use old watch parts to create original timepieces.

The most famous steam punk luxury watch out there at the moment, unveiled in the latter part of 2010,  is Romain Jeromes Steam Punk watch.  One almost to expect a hiss of steam to erupt from the seconds hand "air vent"aperture.  The oxidised steel besel is almost a steam punk must have evoking the sense of metal exposed to harsh environments.  The dial resembles the steel girders of a giant structure. This image is achieved by the use of the four polished screw down pistons and the imposing Roman Numerals at the 12 and 6 'o'clock position.

Another watch company pushing the Steam Punk Genre is Retrowerk Watches.  Retrowerk watches combines German craftmanship, swiss movements and interesting application of the steam punk genre. I like to call it soft steam punk or part steam punk.   Actually my favorite part of these watches, is the highly reliable ETA 2824 movement, since there are so many steam punk gimmicky
watches, I feel if the movement is an ETA movement then the exterior of the watch must be of good quality.  The Retrowerk Compass Brass looks like it would be more at home around the wrist of a sea captain rather than in the bowels of a great hissing heaving city.  So what else to I love about this watch.

• Stainless Steel is high quality 36L - with worn brass finishing
• Screw down crown cover and case back increasing water resistany capabilities to 200 meters.
• I love the Detachable Compass Module!
• The half dial time display is pretty cool.

What I do not like about this watch is that the watch glass is hardened mineral crystal rather than Sapphire crystal.  Sapphire Crystal would have raised the priced a bit, but would increase the longevity of the dial with greater scratch resistancy.  All in all this is a really nice watch.
Steam Punk is a rather curious genre where descriptions are based on an individuals perception.  However it is often described as a sub-genre of science fiction and fantasy combined with mechanical contraptions, dark intentions and swirls of the supernatural.

Romain Jerome MoonFighter Pen Sure to Cure Sci-Fi Writers Block

What do we have here? Is it a bird?  Is it a Plane?  No its a Romain Jerome Moon fighter  Pen set to launch your mind through blackened skies and fiery galaxies.  Romaine Jerome is well known for causing quite a stir
with its DNA watches: Watches that contain steel from the titanic, bits of moon dust, ash from Icelandic Volcano Eyjafjallajokul;  rock from the "Rock of Monaco", fragments from Apollo XI and actual fibers from an International Space Station spacesuit.  Now it is a writers turn to use a Moon Fighter pen to venture far into the recesses of his mind and find a universe.  The pen is the descendant of a generation brought up with Star Wars, Back to the future and Space Invaders (yes Romaine Jerome has made a Space Invaders watch too) where good old science fiction commanded large boxy television screens and loud arcade game centers flickering with persistent aliens. 

If one did not know the image above was that of a pen and the title did not mention Romain Jerome, but rather a finding of immense proportion in a large cavern deep within the bowels of the earth - some grandiose desire of a crazed scientist's obsession to discover an earth-like planet - the image would be quite feasible.   The pen is crafted to depict a much larger object - a space ship perhaps - and this, my friends, can cure writers block. In fact encapsulated within the "cockpit bubble" (Romain Jerome's term not mine) is actual moon dust.  The pen is crafted entirely in Switzerland and is available in three models depending, of course, on which terrain one means to explore - Heavy Metal, Black Metal and Vintage.  Each model is secured with 48 hand-applied rivets - permanent mechanical fasteners used widely in aircraft construction. The rivets enunciate the perception that the pen should really be a much larger object. When the pen is not the voyager of the mind, it is protected within a leather case and docked on a carbon finished "docking station".  The pen is available in fountain and roller ball.  Romain Jerome MoonFighter Pen is certainly a writer's pen.

Romain Jerome Only Watch 2011 Dial Extracted from Rock of Monaco

Romain Jerome Rock the Rock DNA

Romain Jerome presents Rock the Rock DNA timepiece at the Only Watch Auction held by Antiquorium next month in Monaco to raise funds for research into Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The rocky surface of the dial surrounded by a Black matte ceramic Bezel is actually crafted from rock taken from the ancient part of Monaco known as the "Rock of Monaco" .  The "Rock of Monaco" is a giant 459 foot Monolith jutting into the Mediterranean sea on which sits the "Old Town" of Monaco - not far from the Prince's palace.  The dial was extracted from the west cliff of the Monaco rock for the Only Watch Auction on February 10th ,2011 by  Philippe Mondielli, geologist and scientific director of the Prince Albert II of Foundation and Luc Pettavino, President of the Monaco Association Against Muscular Dystrophy.

 Red lines of Latitude and Longitude on the rock dial and small seconds hand intersect at the Principality of Monaco. The Red line of Longitude extend from dial to black rolled-edge alcantara strap. Beneath the rock dial within a 46mm PVD black case beats a Caliber C22RJ51- Automatic Mechanical  movement with a power reserve of 42 hours. The sides of the case are crafted from black satin-finished PVD-coated steel complimented by the same material on the lugs and lug inserts.  The paws are crafted from highly resilient black ceramic and titanium screws and the crown is comprised of black PVD coated steel with rubber.. 

On the case back is a Rock the Rock engraving.  This watch is a Limited Edition of One, and part of Romain Jerome's DNA collection.

Romain Jerome Space Invaders X Watch

Romain Jerome has taken a unique twist on mechanical watchmaking with the introduction of a mechanical self-winding timepiece based on Space Invaders - a 1970's video game by Taito in Japan.  Available in multi color aliens or plain white aliens, the dial of the watch is an incredible representation of the low pixel count of the early computer games. The case, a black 46mm PVD stainless steel design, actually contains spare parts from Apollo 11.  Powering the watch is a Swiss Romain Jerome caliber RJ001. From what I can tell, the aliens do not move.

SPACE INVADERS©1
Calibre RJ001-A
Mechanical self-winding movement
Frequency 28,800 vph
Jewelling 23 jewels
Power reserve 42 hours
Water resistance 3 atm
Functions Central hours and minutes
Case Ø46mm
Black PVD-coated steel
Lugs fitted with safety screws and integrated ball-and-socket joints for optimal wrist adjustment
Case with integrated back, composed of spare parts from Apollo 11
Grainy-textured stellar-patterned back with medallion in MOON SILVERRJ representing the moon
RJ safety screw on the case-back, exclusively accessible to watchmakers
Screw-lock crown
Dial Black 3D dial with 3 beadblasted & satin-brushed levels.
Pixelated « Space Invaders® » lacquered in various original colours
Hands Oxidised black, polished, with C1 superluminova
Strap Black vulcanised rubber
Grainy-textured interior of stellar-patterned strap
Buckle Black PVD-coated steel
Limited edition 78 pieces

Titanic Meets Octopus by Romain Jerome

Being a fictional writer as well, I sometimes get slightly carried away with watches that awake my imagination... and Romain Jerome watches always have that effect. Romain Jerome seems to be accompanying Urwerk to the zoo, and naming its watches after exotic wild life. (Recall Urwerk's Black Bird Timepiece, King Cobra, or better yet its Tarantula Timepiece *Gulp*).
Romain Jerome has opted for the octopus and its watery realm. I suppose the image goes quite well with Romain Jerome's Titanic Watch -where the watch is actually crafted from pieces of the Titanic.
These watches are all part of Romain Jerome "DNA of Famous Legends" collections. Depicted above ,in all its finery, is the Titanic-DNA-Octopus Timepiece. The octopus is engraved on the case back, and hidden from view just as in nature. Any outward sign of the octopus is noted by the octopus-type suction cups situated on the interior of the black vulcanized rubber strap; by the limited edition of 888 timepieces and (you'll love this) by the water resistance - yes this watch is water resistant to 888 feet. The 46 mm steel case houses a Romain Jerome in-house RJ002-A2 automatic movement with a power reserve of 42 hours.
And what of the Titanic? The bezel is crafted from stabilized rusted steel retrieved from the Titanic. The case featuring octagonal screws and screw-lock down crown is reminiscent of the Titanic's portholes. Scratch resistant sapphire crystal protects the "weathered steel look" dial and crisscrossed beams. Hour markers are coated with Superluminova, which glows blue in the dark.
This watch is also available in black with red accentuation with white hour markers and black with white hour markers.

What does Romain Jerome & Steampunk have in Common?

A watch of course? A Steampunk watch. "Perfect" I say, "Just perfect" Romain Jerome has surfaced from the deepest darkest ocean where the titanic rests in gloomy solitude; sank back to earth from its space voyages; leaped from lava spewing mountains and come to rest in the crevices of our imagination by adding its latest timepiece to its Titanic DNA collection. Steam Punk ,as you know, is an antique sort of science fiction, where strange gadgets churn in steamy hisses and rusted metals rear ugly heads between flickering gas lamps and swirling fog... and gears, lots and lots of grinding gears. So ,of course, it is not the first time a watchmaker has associated steam punk with watches. The genre almost demands it, being mechanical and all that, but one thing is certain, Romaine Jerome has indeed perfected the look.

The Romain Jerome Steam Punk watch is rugged to the core. Aggressive raw Roman Numerals spread across the dial as shard like hands indicate the time (ooh they have done such a good job with this watch). There is no dial to hide the inner mechanical workings and the four polished screwed down pistons secure the movement in a vice like grip. A whirl of a propeller marks the seconds like a tiny air vent in a steel facade.

The 50mm timepiece is an imposing raw piece of work meant to intimidate the opposition. Limited to just 2012 pieces, collectors will probably rush for this mechanical marvel crafted with incredible horological expertise and a whole lot of creativity.

Romain Jerome Newest Watch Explodes With Volcanic Force

Romain Jerome has unleashed a smoldering masterpiece actually harboring some genuine ash from that great "travel hampering" Icelandic Volcano Eyjafjallajokull. Fit for the wrist of a vulcanologist, this one of a kind watch is part of Romain Jerome DNA Collection. This watch is undoubtedly my favorite Romain Jerome watch thus far. The resemblance to molten lava is brilliant - black carbon bursting forth with glowing fiery orange flowing over the dial and spilling onto the bezel. The hands end in tiny airplanes hinting at the travel woes resulting from ash clouds caused by Volcano Eyjafjallokull. Over 100,000 flights were canceled making this Europeans worse breakdown in civil aviation since World War II.
A perfect fit for the DNA Collection as volcanoes spew the very core of the earth; change the very landscape we tread and make land in an ocean where no land existed.

The Mind Bending Cabestan Winch Tourbillon Vertical

Perception of a time piece of this nature pulls one from the realms of common timekeeping. This grand specimen is nothing short of absolute mechanical brilliance. Jean-Francois Ruchonnet, a unique watch engineer, reinvented timekeeping creating vertical movement driven by a fusee and chain. The chain looks very much like that on a bicycle, but Mr. Ruchonnet drew his inspiration from a yacht. A yacht which incorporates a vertical winch system, moved by a crank. The force produced from the winch system is such that it has the power to hoist and adjust a sail or to raise the anchor.

The Cabestan Winch Tourbillon Vertical began as an idea which became reality back in 2007 thanks to Jean-Francois Ruchonnet and watchmaker, Vianney Halter. The first prototype was greeted with much enthusiasm and fanfare as well as a couple raised eyebrows. A watch like no other, no dial and no hour markers. Instead the hours, minutes, seconds and power reserve are displayed on four rotating aluminium drums, mounted on ball-bearings, at the four corners of the movement. Quite remarkable; however, incredibly a tourbillon is included next to the seconds drum. A Tourbillon was invented in 1795 by Swiss watchmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet, to counter the effect gravity had on the movement of the watch. The actual premise regarding the effect of the Tourbillon is questionable; however, the tourbillon is becoming increasingly popular due to its mesmerizing beauty. The Tourbillon is a mechanism mastered by only the best watchmakers, and to incorporate a Tourbillon into the Cabestan Winch, is to achieve the impossible.

My favorite aspect of this watch is the Cabestan chain. The hand made chain comprises of 450 steel links and 150 rivets which provides constant torque to the movement. The chain is driven by the barrel and winds around fifth drum thus vertically crossing the entire mechanism. It takes 40 hours of labor to complete just one chain. The watch is wound and time is set via a tiny cranks much like the one found on a yacht. The crank locks onto a capstan to connect with the fusee to wind the watch and another capstan connects to the hour and minute drums. When not in use the crank fits into the folding buckle The watch boasts a 72 hour power reserve. The time set crank. The entire watch movement is protected by two thermo-formed Pyrex crystals.

Romaine Jerome was captivated by the Cebeston Winch Tourbillon and in 2008 incorporated the movement in a set of six "The Romaine Jerome Cabestan Titanic DNA Tourbillon watch" combining innovative haute horlogerie and artistic design. The Romain Jerome Cabestan Titanic DNA Tourbillon watch's case is contains actual oxidized material obtained from the Titanic shipwreck, fused to steel obtained from the Harland & Wolff shipyards, the area where the Titanic was built in the early 20th century.
The Cabestan 2 is already in the works. It is at the 3D conceptualisation stage, crucial to watch development. The Cabestan 2 ,with a chronograph, will utilize a hydraulic column wheel. The pushers will force liquid through pipes that run across bridges and thus under pressure will trigger the chronograph command. As if one tourbillon is not enough, the newer model will boast two vertical tourbillons. Unfortunately you will have to have a little patience to see the actual timepiece; the Cabestan 2 is scheduled for release in 2012.
By R. Van Halem

Romain Jerome's new luxury watches. See what they are made of this time!

With what material is Romian Jerome's new luxury watches crafted.

Is it...

a) Fragments of the Apollo XI spacecraft
b) Fragments of the Soyuz spacecraft
c) Dials with mineral structure containing Moon dust
d) Fibers from the International Space Station Space Suit
e) All of the above.



You are quite correct if you guessed (e) all of the above, because last night Romaine Jerome in Geneva, Switzerland launched the next in its "DNA of famous legends." series.


You must remember the huge publicity Romaine Jerome received for its first Legend watches crafted from steel and coal dust from the sunken Ocean Liner R.M.S. Titanic.

CEO Yvan Harpa announced the next in the Legend Series during a press conference and gala evening at the Kempinski Hotel. The series is called Moon Dust -DNA. The series will be in Limited Editions of 1969. To commemerate the year man first landed on the moon - 1969.



I have no doubt this series will produce as much publicity as the first, but then again Romain Jerome loves the spotlight.


The Five Watches in the Moon Dust Series are:

1) Moon Rider
2) Gold Mood
3) Dark Side of the Moon
4) Steel Mood
5) Dark side of the Moon Tourbillon

The names of the watches sound more like Sci Fi movies or books and add a sense mystery to the timepiece.


Romain Jerome guarantees that the origin of each and every unique material used in crafting the watches is cerified by a legal document authenticated in Switzerland. In addition, every remarkable Moon Dust timepiece will be accompanied by a certificate from the Association of Space Explorers.


The Moon Dust Series is a giant leap in watch making.

Romain JeromeTitanic DNA

Romaine Jerome made a huge impact on the watch world when he introduced the Titanic DNA timepieces. Jerome purchased a piece of the hull that was retrieved from the doomed ship, 3840 meters beneath the crashing surface of the sea. Smelting this hull with steel from the Titanic's original shipyard, which is becoming a Titanic commemoration, he integrated the combination into the bezel, case band or dial material of his watches. The oxidized steel is clearly visible. It seems, Romaine Jerome believes that even the small piece of the Titanic's hull ,displayed on each watch, carries the weight of history. The watch is pricey, but no price can be placed on wearing history around ones wrist. This line of watches truly has a past, present and future.