2013/06/19

RJ - Romain Jerome the Moon Orbiter

A timepiece light-years apart from conventional watchmaking

The RJ-Romain Jerome watch company springs yet another surprise with its latest creation. In a fresh tribute to the conquest of space, RJ-Romain Jerome presents an exceptional model equipped with a Manufacture movement: a flying tourbillon featuring a unique three-dimensional architecture.

With its generous 49 mm wide, 45 mm long and 20 mm thick dimensions, the Moon Orbiter looks every inch a true sci-fi fantasy. Its imposing rectangular shape and its numerous special-shaped sapphire crystals create a striking effect: its bezel-free case combining watchmaking steel with elements from Apollo 11 is composed of an exclusive system of lugs mounted on pneumatic cylinders to ensure both wearer comfort and the smooth fit of the black alligator leather strap with pin buckle-fastening.

The hours and minutes are read off on an off-centred 3 o’clock counter on the right-hand side of the dial. The openworked hands are red-lacquered, while the 42-hour power reserve is displayed by a lacquered red cursor appearing on a separate subdial between the lugs at 6 o’clock. Everything is designed to highlight the flying tourbillon enthroned at 9 o’clock, on the left-hand side of the dial. The case has been literally built around the movement in such a way that no detail goes unnoticed.

Representing a true technical feat, the off-centred flying tourbillon is maintained in orbit by a “3D” arm extending from the lower part of the movement and playing the role of a launch pad: it sweeps majestically over the dial like a space vessel. It is on this dial that moon dust has been incorporated in a nod to the intergalactic missions undertaken by RJ-Romain Jerome… Adorned with a “stellar-patterned” engraving, it echoes the brand’s signature satin-brushed cross-strut traverses. The entirely decorated back of the movement picks up the same constellation motif. Nestling between the lugs at 12 o’clock, another engraved subdial is stamped with the brand monogram. The five shaped sapphire crystals fitted all around the case provide a complete view of the unique architecture and geometry of this exclusive mechanical self-winding movement; while the sapphire crystal set into the caseback provides a complete view of the understated oscillating weight and the gear trains.

The latest addition to the Moon-DNA collection, Moon Orbiter brings with it an aggressive and imposing design that highlights the complexity of the movement. This 25-piece limited edition will delight devotees of horological originality and complexity that are light-years away from traditional watchmaking…

 

 

 

 

 

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