A visit with RJ-Romain Jerome at JCK 2015

A visit to RJ-Romain Jerome at JCK 2015 to view their watch collection. One of the two more unique looking watches is the Moon Orbiter Speed Metal. The case is 44.5mm x 48.5mm with a black PVD steel case and has integrated elements from the Apollo 11 space shuttle. The dark grey colored dial contains actual moon dust with an engraved stellar space pattern. Flying tourbillon at the left side of the watch. On the right is the subdial for hours and minutes with red lacquered hands. Towards the lower portion of this rectangular watch is a power reserve indication.

I love the view from the side of the case with a large sapphire crystal that frames a window to see the movement of the tourbillon.

Looks good on my wrist but will need to wear it over my shirt cuffs due to the thickness of the watch

This is a really cool detail, the pivoting lugs uses a cylindrical piston system that is inspired by radio control car shocks.

Here's a picture of my Team Associated RC8.2e 1/8 scale race buggy. Can you see the similarities in the coil over racing shocks versus the RJ watch lugs?

My fellow moderator fovesta just posted a great photo of the Romain Jerome Spacecraft with Montmartre in the background. I handled the Spacecraft in titanium with black PVD coated titanium elements. On the bottom side of the watch is a linear retrograde jumping hour indicator. The hour is easy to read with the red colored numeral that provides a clear contrast. On the top area of the dial surface is minute indicator on a disc.

Here's a video I made showing the minutes track and the corresponding jumping hours.

I grew up playing Atari video games and absolutely love this fun Space Invaders watch. Brings me back to very fond memories as a kid growing up in the late 70's and early 80's. Black PVD case with colorful aliens attacking on the dial.

On the back of the case is a textured moon silver colored medallion.

Very interesting detail and design on the back case area with these padeed articulated feet which reminds me of a space ship landing gear.

And of course one of the most famous video games of all time, Pac Man. You can spot the ghosts chasing Pac Man on the dial, but I wish that they printed Inky, Blinky, Pinky, and Clyde in the their original colors as it would brighten up the dial like on the Space Invaders version. The case and materials are the same as the other watches in the RJ Generation Icons collection.

Both are fun watches with some very interesting case design elements.

Next is the RJ Romain Jerome Steampunk Auto Gunmetal Black. With a 46mm diameter case that is blackened PVD coated steel and satin brushed gunmetal bezel. I was intrigued by this gunmetal finish because it's not anything remotely similar to metal finishing for firearms. It seems more like a steel bar stock that has been cut with a Swiss pattern file for shaping and then left unpolished. However I think this raw type of finish works fine for the intended purpose and the overall Steampunk theme.
At the 2, 4, 8 and 10 o'clock position are 4 steel pistons. These do not move but it would have been cool if they were real instead of for decoration. On the dial are two large Roman numerals with a similar gunmetal finish. At the 9 o'clock position near the center of dial is a ruthenium colored propeller shaped small seconds hand.

With a similar style case design of the RJ DNA collection, is the Eyjafjallajokull-DNA watch with a blackened steel case and volcanic ash bezel.

Parts of the bezel and the dial is stabilized volcanic ash, with a hand painted enamel red color to depict lava errupting up from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano. I've noticed that the ash elements along the bezel are very course, and a 2nd version (named the Eyjafjallajokull EVO) is available with a smooth PVD bezel.

Another theme in the DNA collection is the DeLorean DNA. The DeLorean DMC-12 was an American sports car that had a brushed aluminum body, and it also became famous in the time traveling machine in the 'Back To The Future' movies.

Aluminum and steel construction of the bezel and case incorporate elements from the original body of the DeLorean car. The small seconds subdial at the 9 o'clock position is shaped and colored like the DMC-12 tail lights.

The strap follows the DeLorean theme and is made of leather upholstery from the DeLorean.

And a few watches from the RJ Dia De Los Muertos collection. This was made to honor the Mexican Day of the Dead holiday. The cases are similar to the DNA style with the skull logo with applied precious stones.

Overall I found the RJ-Romain Jerome collection very interesting and I learned a lot more about their watches. I usually think of the Titanic DNA style watches but it was great to see the completely different styles with the Spacecraft and the Moon Orbiter.

Regards,
ED-209

Horological Meandering

A visit with RJ-Romain Jerome at JCK 2015

A visit with RJ-Romain Jerome at JCK 2015

re: moon orbiter

oil filled or spring loaded

Thanks a lot Ed for the comprehensive report!

I really liked your photo of the Spacecraft with Montmartre

Wonderful report Ed. Did you happen to see the...

It was on the wrist of...

I think it is RJ's best Steampunk by far