ROMAIN JEROME – Black Mood, Steel Mood and Red Mood

 

In its ongoing journey from Earth to Moon, RJ-Romain Jerome has dreamed up a new generation of time instruments. The Black Mood and Steel Mood chronographs are enriching the Moon Dust-DNA collection with new aesthetic statements. 

 

Black Mood expresses lunar time with a PVD-blackened steel instrument featuring a round 46 mm case carrying the iconic RJ-Romain Jerome “paws” and topped by a carbon fibre-coated bezel with a soul forged from fragments of Apollo 11. The date of that historical mission has naturally inspired the number of this limited edition: 1969. Its “instrumental” vocation is further highlighted by two large notched pushers in black PVD, one with a red insert at 2 o’clock, serving to start and stop the chronograph driven by a self-winding movement and the reset button at 4 o’clock. 

The black dial is a hand-sculpted depiction of the lunar surface and its material contains a small amount of the precious Moon Dust – of which only a few thousand grams have been brought back to Earth. The circular seconds counter at 9 o’clock features a four-blade “hand” evoking satellite solar panels (one of the blades is red in order to serve as a time marker). The deliberately oxidised black hour and minutes hands are enhanced with “blue emission” Superluminova. Devotees of astro-horological missions will be able to opt for the alligator strap with woven textile and carbon fibres recovered from ISS spacesuits…

With the Steel Mood, the Moon Dust-DNA treats itself to a poetic flight of fancy into the dreamlike purity of watchmaking Moonlight. The chronograph carries all the distinctive RJ-Romain Jerome design codes (a round 46 mm case with four “paws”, screw-locked lugs, large notched pushers, and a four-blade propeller shaped like satellite solar panels with a red seconds marker), but the dial appears in a “lunar grey” livery (also containing dust from the Moon of which it evokes the surface); and the bezel is made from carbon fibres (with a steel base made as always from a fusion between steel and fragments of the Apollo 11 capsule – hence the 1969-piece limited edition). The black rubber strap confirms this dreamlike dimension of a Moon that transcends changing times and fashions, although future owners may also choose a black leather strap reinforced by technical fibres from an ISS spacesuit.

Stellar Brilliance for the Red Mood 

In its ongoing journey from Earth to Moon, RJ-Romain Jerome has dreamed up a new generation of time instruments. The Red Mood chronograph lights up the Moon Dust-DNA collection. 

After the Black Mood and the Steel Mood, the Moon Dust-DNA collection treats itself to a new cosmic radiance with the Red Mood Chrono. This lunar time piece carries all the distinctive RJ-Romain Jerome design codes: four “paws”, circular satin-brushed 3 and 6 o’clock counters, screw-locked lugs and large notched pushers. The round 46mm red gold case is topped by a carbon fibre-coated bezel. 

The lunar grey dial is a hand-sculpted depiction of the lunar surface and its material contains some precious Moon dust. The circular seconds counter at 9 o’clock features a four-blade “hand” evoking satellite solar panels. The satin-brushed red gold-coloured hour and minutes hands are enhanced with “blue emission” Superluminova. 

The black rubber strap confirms this dreamlike dimension of a Moon that transcends changing times and fashions, but devotees of astro-horological missions will be able to opt for the alligator strap partly woven with carbon fibres and fibres recovered from ISS spacesuits…

 

Linde Werdelin The One 2.6

Linde Linde Linde. I been wanting one of these suckers for a long time and I finally made it happen with a Linde Werdelin The One 2.6. The heart and soul that goes into the engineering of Linde Werdelins designs is second to none. The watches are designed as pure sport timepieces that allow conversion to an instrument using the indentations on the side of the cases to hold the dive and ski instruments that Linde also makes.

The Linde Werdelin The One 2.6 has an imposing case size of 46 x 49mm, and it shows. The watch is a beat on the wrist, but due to the sleek case shape and angles, it doesnt stick out from the wrist but instead molds to the curvature of the wrist very well. The unidirectional dive bezel has superluminova dots painted onto it, which gives it a neat look.

The strap is held on by two hex screws for each side of strap. They are easily removed with the hex tool that is provided with every Linde Werdelin watch. The strap removal screws are the ones that are located on the watch case, not the ones located on the bracelet. The screws on the bracelet are used to hold the strap retention bars on the strap itself.

The watch is meticulously crafted, with every faceted surface perfect and finished immaculately. Even the surface underneath where the straps mount is perfectly bead blasted with a finish that is the same as the caseback which gives it a sense of perfection. One thing is for certain: Linde Werdelin takes price in their cases.

The dial is a matte black, with large SuperLuminova indices that glow like a hot damn. They are fantastic. The 2.6 has a nice chapter ring also outfitted with some SuperLuminova and seconds markers. The bezel is very easy to turn and quite functional, with nice grippy indentations cut crisply into the edge another hallmark of precision casemaking. The bezel is pressure fit, not screwed in.

The armadillo style bracelet is VERY nicely finished as well. At $750 it is not a cheap bracelet, but still about half the price of a Breitling Pilot or Navitimer bracelet. The links are pinned, not screwed, which I would have liked to see. Nice signed and hidden double butterfly clasp with pressure release buttons tucked away on the sides. The bracelet is semi-rigid and while comfortable, is not the most comfortable I have worn. I like to wear the Linde a bit looser than other bracelets because of this.

The One 2.6 is water resistant to 1000 ft, not too shabby. It also houses a ETA 2892-A2 movement, without too much extras. Linde will be making a switch to Concepto movements in the future I have read. The watch keeps spot on time, which is not surprising for the movement inside fully capable of COSC spec timing.

Overall it is a fantastic watch. I have sent this one to a new home, since I ended up picking up a Linde Werdelin 3-Timer as well, both with a black dial so I only need one. I plan to keep my Linde for quite a while, and wouldnt mind adding another to the collection as well, probably one with a white dial though. Overall a watch that I would encourage anyone to get if they are attracted to the sharp lines and overall look of the Linde Werdelin watches.

An opportunity to own a unique Panerai print by Eng Tay and to win a PAM390

If you love Panerai, then here’s your chance to own a very unique piece of art, created by well known Paneristi and New York based artist Eng Tay. Eng created a special edition print of the sought after Panerai PAM360. All the funds raised will benefit the Mulliganeers, who help the families of children in sickness and in need.

B&W photo of the 360 print, posted with permission – courtesy of Mike Mellia

If you are not a regular on paneristi.com – which you should be of course – then you may have missed this. But if you are quick, you still have a chance to own a very unique signed and numbered piece of art, to help Mulliganeers and… you also have a unique chance at winning a beautiful Panerai PAM390 which was donated by Officine Panerai!

If you are a Panerai enthusiast and you have a heart, then don’t let this opportunity pass you by!

Follow this link for further information on how to donate/buy your unique print:

You will automatically have a shot at winning the PAM390 if you donate for the print. More info here:

Mind you, the PAM390 is not just any old Panerai This watch was released this year (unknown at the SIHH 2011), it is a limited watch with a beautiful brown base dial, beige indices and gold hands. This is already a very sought after watch that sells well over list price because there are many who want one, while only 2,000 units are and will be made. Sadly I haven’t had the opportunity to take any photos of the watch myself, but if you follow the above links you’ll see a very nice photo of it. Congratulations in advance with your print and good luck with your chance at winning the PAM390!

Inch (reloaded) custom analog watch.

Sam says: This is a revision of my Inch concept. I have made some changes, of which I think they improve the concept.

I gave the watch a sleeker look, giving it a more dynamic shape and distinguishing the straps sides from their faces with a translucent matte material.

The display is experiencing the biggest change. First, I gave it two magnetic watch hands that are clearly readable and loosely fixated on the bottom of the display so they can still be influenced by the two magnets in the bottom part of the case. That part is carrying a rather traditional analog watch mechanism now with the just mentioned magnets working as watch hands.

The readability was improved by adding indicators this time and taking the decision, of making indicators, away from the wearer. This is making his/her life a tad easier. The more traditional watch hands and the indicators are giving the watch a proper face now, independent from the material, that can be put into the straps.

The watch is again 1000 in 1. You can draw or print or cutout your own strips that have to be one inch in width. Whatever you like show it! Inch is individual like a Swatch or a Nooka watch, but customisable like a computer desktop background.

Inch is your playground, now play

Inch (reloaded) custom analog watch., 4.6 out of 5 based on 64 ratings