I’ve read mostly fawning commentary about the new RJ-Romain Jerome Spacecraft, done in collaboration with the same guys behind the HW Opus 9 (among other well-known avant-garde pieces).  As for me, well, I’ll just say that I don’t get it.  It’s the design, you see:  the hour and minutes are not in the same plane of sight, at least not without some deft maneuvering of the wrist.  Hours are vertically positioned on the front the watch, minutes horizontally positioned on top of the watch.  For this reason, the appeal of this $33,400 piece is a real mystery me — I just can’t get past the design oddity.

Upon further reflection, I suppose it is another piece of randomness from RJ-Romain Jerome, perhaps appealing to the space-junkies.  That is what this brand is all about, though, isn’t it?  They do have some supremely original and neat watches now and again, though their randomness — everything from Titanic to Statue of Liberty to Moon Dust to Moon Invaders to Volcanos to Steampunk to Deloreans to Dia de Los Muertos to Video Games (Pac-Man and Space Invaders, I like both) — makes it hard to get my head around the brand’s ambitions.  What’s next?  Mount Everest?  Tsunami?  Who knows.  That’s Romain-Jerome.

Here is an overview of the mechanics of the watch:

See more at  http://www.romainjerome.ch/

RJ-Romain Jerome just launched its first diver’s watch, the Octopus.  It’s about time, really – the RJ DNA of legends collection started years ago with the Titanic-DNA model, but contrary to the understandable perception that a watch made with steel from the sunken Titanic would be a dive watch, the Titanic watch was in fact not a diver.    The “Octopus” is named after the ocean giant that became a powerful symbol in Jules Verne’s famous novel Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.  It comes with a decent set of dive spec’s and a neat inner-rotating sapphire bezel system, though not what I would have expected for the price.  The reality seems to be that most of the attention on this watch seems focused around the symbolism of the Octopus theme and the rich detail incorporated into the case.  Available in three different versions and priced from $13,750, you can see them all below.
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PAC-MANIA!!

After the success of the iconic Space Invaders watches, RJ-Romain Jerome is once again taking you on a crazy round of video games with a limited series of 80 watches designed after the cult PAC-MAN.  In association with NAMCO BANDAI Games, RJ-Romain Jerome is bringing the famous yellow character back to life with four different models of 20 pieces each — paying tribute to the flagship Eighties icon.   Bravo to RJ CEO Manuel Emch for reviving these video game icons!  If you love Pac-Man (who doesn’t love Pac-Man!?!?) — you’ll want to see these watches!
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First descending upon us last year, the RJ-Romain Jerome Space Invaders again touch down on planet Earth.  This time the landing can be spotted in Paris, at trend-setting boutique colette (213 rue Saint-Honoré 75001 Paris).  Eight pieces of this Space Invaders watch, with pixelated figures in colette’s emblematic blue color, will be offered.  Those of you new to the Space Invaders watch should know it is the vision of RJ head Manuel Emch (watch industry scion, shaped by the 1980s pop culture as a youth) under license from TAITO Corporation of Japan who is the original holder of the Space Invaders trademark.  The interesting feature of this watch is the lacquered dial:  it is actually 3-layers in order to achieve the pixelated look along with the “Space Invaders” applied on top (each about 3.5mm, lacquered in blue).  Also of note is the watch case with spare parts from Apollo 11 and four functional ball-and-socket joints on the corners of the case which resemble the legs of the lunar landing modules of American lunar missions (a unique feature, though used in several RJ pieces).  Also pictured below are several new colors which have joined the Space Invaders lineup.  These pieces are definite winners for RJ — scope more at http://www.romainjerome.ch, and see the original RJ Space Invaders Watches (2011) here.

RJ-Romain Jerome Space Invaders Watch (colette Edition)

Limited Edition 8 pieces

46mm PVD coated stainless steel case with integrated back (with spare parts from Apollo 11)

Space Invader Colors Now Available

Limited Edition 8 pieces per color; available RJ-Romain Jerome points of sale worlwide

UPDATE!  PAC-MANIA!

***See our full review of these watches here ***

First look… Picked up this bit of info from a Romain-Jerome distributor in Latin America — looks like a Romain-Jerome Pac-Man watch may be on the horizon…will join the Romain-Jerome’s Space Invaders watch (June 2011)…stay tuned…

Romain Jerome Pac-Man Watch

coming August 2012

RJ-Romain Jerome’s “DNA of Legends” watches never really caught on with me, but I keep an eye on the brand because it has a unique platform, is very innovative, not afraid to take risks, and now and again they do come up with a piece that really resonates with my preferences (for example, the way cool Space Invaders Watches). The piece you see here is the latest in the “moon-DNA” collection, following the “black mood” and “steel mood” pieces of the same design. I like how this piece turned out — in addition to the distinctive RJ-Romain Jerome design codes, a few things stand out: carbon fiber bezel, hand-sculpted lunar grey dial (of course containing actual Moon dust), and “four-blade satellite solar panel” style seconds counter (9 o’clock), among other design elements. At at hefty price of almost 27,000 CHF, I see a piece like this as somewhat of an expensive novelty item and thus more for those who already have their Patek, Audemars Piguet, etc. i.e. this is not a foundational piece for a watch collection, but something that comes after you get tired of the traditional.

Romain Jerome Moon Dust Red Mood Chrono

46mm case

RJ.M.CH.003.01Limited edition to 1,969 pieces. CHF 26,990-*

Avant-garde watchmaker Romain Jerome has introduced a novel new item, the MoonFighter pen.  Think of it a writing instrument that is mid-way between Back to the Future and Space Invaders (speaking of which — you must see the RJ Space Invaders watch if you haven’t seen it yet).  In keeping with its “DNA of Famous Legends” approach, Romain Jerome has encapsulated genuine moon dust in the cockpit bubble of the pen.  Cool, eh?  Imagine bringing this to you next important deal signing!

Romain Jerome Moonfighter Pen

adorned with 48 hand-applied rivets; comes with a custom leather pouch and a carbon-finished docking station

three different versions: Heavy Metal, Black Metal and Vintage, available as a ballpoint or titanium- nib fountain pen

http://www.romainjerome.ch/

An “iconic” watch if there ever was one!

A new **ahem** legend icon is born reborn (pardon the pun)…just a few months ago Romain Jerome announced a licensing deal with TAITO Corporation authorizing the manufacture of a SPACE INVADERS-themed timepieces–and now they have arrived!  In a nod to 1980′s pop culture, Romain Jerome has introduced two 78-piece limited edition watches featuring the iconic SPACE INVADERS characters on the dial.   Taito Corp. created Space Invaders in 1978 (Play Space Invaders here for free) and is also known as the developer of Arkanoid, another popular favorite video game from these times.

Looking at the RJ Space Invaders watch, well it is cosmically cool!  I’ve noted the key specs below — and you can visit the Romain Jerome website for more on the cultural relevance of the new Space Invaders watch.   As for the Romain Jerome Space Invaders watch price — no word yet, but I’d guess somewhere between $10,000 – $15,000.  This is far and away my favorite creation from Romain Jerome — well done Mr Emch and team!

Romain Jerome Space Invaders Watches

Limited Edition 78 pieces (each design)

46mm PVD coated stainless steel case, automatic mechanical movement, black rubber strap

SPACE INVADERS characters in 2 variations (see below),  each individually machined and hand-applied

Atari 2600 (circa 1980) – one of the more popular gaming consoles for SPACE INVADERS

SPACE INVADERS lacquered in different colours (” day” version):

SPACE INVADERS coated with Superluminova (“night” version):

The September 2011 ONLY WATCH 2011 auction is a great event not only for its charity, but also because of the opportunity that it provides for some watchmakers to come up with a truly meaningful piece.  I really appreciate the effort to come up with something truly unique, as opposed to using a standard production model watch and splashing some funky colors on it, as many of the participating brands do.  Yesterday you we saw the level of dedication and creativity given to the ONLY WATCH event by MB&F with its totally out-of-the-box HM-4 Flying Panda watch.  And today you can see it with Romain Jerome’s piece for ONLY WATCH 2011 – the Romain Jerome “Rock the Rock” DNA watch, with a dial carved from a small piece of limestone rock extracted from the western cliff of the Rock of Monaco.

Romain Jerome Rock the Rock DNA Watch for ONLY WATCH 2011

unique piece

46mm black PVD steel case, ceramic bezel, automatic mechanical movement, fitted on  black rolled-edge alcantara strap with red seam and black PVD-coated steel folding clasp; certificate of authenticity guaranteeing the origin of the materials used

Note also the “small seconds” subdial at 9 o’clock — also crafted of stone, which rotates on the surface of the dial.  Each time the seconds disc moves to 0, 15, 30 and 45 seconds, the red lines are aligned for a fleeting movement to symbolize the latitude and longitude coordinates of Monaco.  Paired with a matte black ceramic bezel and a black satin-finished PVD-coated steel case, the Romain Jerome Rock the Rock watch is a unique and special piece to bid on at for ONLY WATCH 2011.  Unlike RJ’s Eyjafjallajökull watch which I sharply criticized, this Romain Jerome watch definitely has some worthy DNA in it, and I hope it goes for big bucks in September.

“Only Watch” is a biennial charity auction of one-of-a-kind watches created by many of the most renowned watch brands in Switzerland.  This exceptional event is held every two years in Monaco during the Monaco Yacht Show and is under the patronage of HSH Prince Albert II.   All the proceeds from Only Watch go to support Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy research which is why many of these watches go extraordinarily high prices.

Starting today Perpetuelle will begin its coverage of Only Watch 2011.  Stay tuned in because over the next few months, you will get to see awesome “piece unique” watches from each of the participating brands for the 2011 event:

Click through to see our in-depth preview of each watch:

• Harry Winston Midnight GMT Tourbillon
• Patek Philippe Ref 3939A Minute Repeater
• Urwerk UR-103 “Phoenix”
• Romain Jerome “Rock the Rock”
• Hublot Oceanographic 4000m dive watch
• MB&F HM-4 “Flying Panda”
• TAG Heuer “Monaco Mikrograph”
• Bell & Ross Pink Gold “Casino”
• Louis Vuitton Tambour Diver Chronograph
• Blancpain Villeret Grand Decoration
• Piaget Altiplano Skeleton
• Breguet Reveil Musical Watch
• Audemars Piguet Gstaad Classic
• Jaquet Droz Petit Heure Minute
• Van Cleef & Arpel “From the Earth to the Moon” Watch
• Girard-Perregaux ww.TC
• Corum Golden Bridge Automatic Titanium
  
• Vulcain Anniversary Heart Watch
• Chanel J12 Marine Watch
• Franck Muller “Totally Switzerland”
• Ulysse Nardin Freak Diavolo
• Vacheron Constantin “Dove” Watch (M.C. Escher-inspired)
  
• Zenith El Primero “Destro” watches
• Montblanc Villeret 1858 Pulsograph
• Ikepod Red Hourglass by Marc Newson
• Bovet Fleurier, Celsius, Chaumet, Chopard, De Bethune, Delacour, De Witt, Frédérique Constant, Hermès, Laurent Ferrier, Maurice Lacroix, Richard Mille
  

Only Watch 2011 will be held September 24, 2011 and managed by watch auction house Antiquorum.  But you don’t have to wait this long — because part of the excitement leading up to the September 24, 2011 event is the release of each participating brand’s special edition watch.

ONLY WATCH 2009

If you are interested in looking back, I covered the Only Watch 2009 auction extensively including blogging about several of my favorites inlcluding:  Piaget Emperador Coussin, MB&F Sage Vaughn HM-2, Bovet 3-in-1 Mona Lisa Watch, Tourneau Jump Hour, Louis Vuitton Tambour, Chanel J12 Joallerie with pink sapphire, and Blancpain 500 Fathoms.   The Only Watch 2009 auction was hosted by Patrizzi & Co.