Archive for the ‘Romain Jerome’ category

Romain Jerome – A Watch Out of This World

July 14th, 2010

I frequently take the opportunity to praise watch manufacturers for their innovative use of materials or their attempts to create entirely unique pieces. But the products offered by Romain Jerome simply take the cake. I’m nearly wordless to describe what they’ve done.

Their historic DNA line provides something that no collector can be without. First I’ll introduce the more conventional one: a watch constructed of metal salvaged from the Titanic. That’s right: the storied, fated, sunken queen of the seas. Apparently, Romain Jerome bought up this precious metal at auction, treated it to halt the rusting process, and put it into their watches. Pieces will likely cost upwards of one hundred thousand dollars, but even at this price, there literally is nothing like it available on the market. Building history into a watch was sheer genius, and the product development guy (or gal) at Romain Jerome who thought this one up ought to get some kind of award.

So this was way back in 2007 or thereabouts. In 2009, thanks to the success of the Titanic line, the company introduced something even more spectacular. Metal from Apollo XI has been built into this latest historic DNA line. Even better, moon dust is sprinkled on the watch face, which itself is built to resemble the lunar surface. Using parts of the vehicle that helped achieve the greatest feat in humanity’s history is one thing, but to actually put moon dust on the piece gives it a tremendous dimension. There are only so many samples available from the moon, and most of this is sealed off in government labs for study. Most of us will never see, up close, a part of an entirely alien world, yet here is the chance to really own your own piece of it. With these two achievements behind it, I can’t even begin to imagine what’s next for Romain Jerome watches or what they will do in the future to top this. Whatever it is, other-worldly won’t do as a descriptor; they’ve already done that.

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A New CEO for Romain Jerome

February 1st, 2010

Manuel Emch has recently been appointed as the new CEO of Romain Jerome watchesJerome Romain, the Geneva-based watch makers, have recently appointed Manuel Emch as their new CEO. Founded in 2004, the renowned Romain Jerome watches are the ‘DNA of Famous Legends’ collection. It was the Titanic-DNA series, incorporating metal from the sunken liner, that launched this collection of timepieces that blurs the boundary between art and functionality.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr Emch said it was his intention to continue with the philosophy of the famous legends, developing the unique concept in new directions, while continuing to focus on the emotional content of Romain Jerome watches.

Manuel Emch has established himself as someone with considerable skills in the field of establishing and consolidating brand identity during his time at Jaquet Droz. While at Droz, Mr Emch initiated and designed the Grande Seconde and the now legendary Machine à Ecrire le Temps. Not surprisingly, he is recipient of several watch design awards.

He also brings to Romain Jerome valuable skills and experience in production and sales. Mr Emch contributed to the construction of the brand-new Jaquet Droz manufacturing facility, as well as supervising the creation of a worldwide distribution network that has over 200 points of sale and six own-name boutiques.

A promising start for a new decade then. Romain Jerome watches are available from The Watch Gallery, London.

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Romain Jerome and the Moon’s DNA

November 20th, 2009

romain-jeromeThe Romain Jerome ’spirit’ lies in their DNA of famous legends collections. The timepieces in these collections are inspired by and created specifically to pay tribute to some of the great historical legends of our time. In each of the individual watches Romain Jerome adds an authenticated part of that history, the DNA if you like, so that, as they say, their watches have a “strong emotional character and a real soul“.

One of the Romain Jerome DNA collections is the Moon Dust-DNA. The legend this collection honours is the race to reach the moon, achieved in 1969. The design of the collection is inspired by the moon and incorporates the ‘DNA’ of the great players of that race with authentic elements from the aerospace universe.

The lunar-styled dial is based on a mineral deposit including Moon Dust; and the case is made of steel that incorporates steel from the Apollo XI spacecraft. The hands are inspired by the solar panels one sees on a spacecraft, while the small second’s design mimics a landing target. The crocodile leather strap is partly woven with fibres from an ISS spacesuit.

Each watch includes a certificate ensuring that it includes real moon dust particles in the making of the dial, as well as metal taken from the Apollo XI spacecraft for the case.

In an interesting twist, these timepieces are limited to 1969 pieces.

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Romain Jerome Watches as Objets d’Art

November 17th, 2009

romain-jerome-watchesWhen a watch is created with history and emotion, it ceases to be simply a watch, it becomes an objet d’art in its own right. This is very true of Romain Jerome Watches, particularly the Titanic DNA collection.

The archetype of this collection is the T-Oxy Concept. This is a completely rusted timepiece that was designed and built using non-stabilised rusted steel from the Titanic. Today, the watch can only be admired in its glass dome. The dome is filled with argon gas so as to protect the watch from oxygen, which would destroy it completely.

From this unique timepiece the Titanic DNA collection was conceived. Each model is created using stabilised metals from the Titanic. The unique stabilisation process was developed by Romain Jerome to protect the timepieces against any further corrosion. But, the stabilization process produces varying results – no two pieces are identical and are a testament to their authenticity.

Each watch is accompanied by a certificate of compliance from the shipbuilder of the Titanic, Harland & Wolff, guaranteeing the origin of the rust. Consequently, many of the models in this collection are limited editions.

Not surprisingly, Romain Jerome have gone to great lengths to produce outstanding photographs of their creations. The Geneva-based photographer Denis Hayoun was commissioned to photograph the Romain Jerome watches for the Titanic DNA catalogue. With these photographs, Hayoun was recently awarded the Grand Prix Romand de la Création, First Prize for Photography.

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