One hundred years ago this month, the RMS Titanic set off on its legendary, ill-fated voyage across the Atlantic. And while moviegoers across the world file into theaters this week to view the 3-D re-release of James Cameron’s 1997 smash-hit film Titanic, which dramatically portrays the events on that legendary vessel in April 1912, Swiss watchmaker Romain Jerome offers timepiece aficionados an opportunity to make a more personal connection with one of the 20th Century’s greatest milestones, with two limited-edition anniversary wristwatches commemorating it.
The two new models, each limited to 100 pieces, are the Steampunk Auto 100th Anniversary and Steampunk Chrono 100th Anniversary. Each is housed in a 50-mm-diameter case featuring the distinctively rough, raw finishes that are a hallmark of the brand’s very first collection, also inspired by the Titanic, called Titanic-DNA.
Both of the Steampunk models feature a bezel of oxidized and stabilized steel, created by a fusion of metal from the legendary underwater wreck of the Titanic and another metal provided by the Harland & Wolff shipyards, where the gigantic ship was built. For these anniversary pieces, the mobile propellers appearing on the dial of the Steampunk and reminiscent of those on the ship, have been oxidized and stabilized by the same process used for the bezels. The models feature engraved casebacks with a medallion commemorating the centennial of the Titanic’s launch date.
Specs on the watches are below. Click on the photos for wallpaper images.
STEAMPUNK AUTO 100th ANNIVERSARY
Movement: Caliber RJ001-AS, automatic with RJ oscillating weight; 28,800 vph; 23 jewels; 42-hour power reserve
Functions: Central hours and minutes, small second at 9 o’clock
Case: 50-mm diameter; stabilized, rusted steel from the Titanic in the bezel; bead-blasted black PVD paws; caseback engraved with 100th anniversary emblem; water-resistant to 30 meters; on black rubber strap with black PVD buckle
Dial and hands: Dial integrated into the movement; bead-blasted & circular-grained ruthenium colored bridge with four steel pistons and beadblasted ruthenium bearings ; ruthenium colored Roman numeral VI and XII with “raw” finishing; small seconds subdial with “ship’s propeller” in rusted, stabilized steel at 9 o’clock; black and satin-brushed hours and minutes hands inspired by Titanic’s anchor
Limited edition: 100 pieces
STEAMPUNK CHRONO 100th ANNIVERSARY
Movement: Caliber RJ001-CS, automatic chronograph with RJ oscillating weight; 28,800 vph; 39 jewels; 42-hour power reserve
Functions: Central hours and minutes, small second at 9 o’clock, chronograph with 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock and central chronograph seconds
Case: 50-mm diameter; stabilized, rusted steel from the Titanic in the bezel; bead-blasted black PVD paws; caseback engraved with 100th anniversary emblem; water-resistant to 30 meters; on black rubber strap with black PVD buckle
Dial and hands: Dial integrated into the movement; bead-blasted & circular-grained ruthenium colored bridge with four steel pistons and beadblasted ruthenium bearings ; ruthenium colored Roman numeral VI and XII with “raw” finishing; small seconds subdial with “ship’s propeller” in rusted, stabilized steel at 9 o’clock; black and satin-brushed hours and minutes hands inspired by Titanic’s anchor
Limited edition: 100 pieces
- The watches’ casebacks are inscribed with a 100th-anniversary medallion.
I’ll have a Steampunk Auto anyday!