A fellow Purist told me about a very special project, more than one year ago. The project got my attention immediately, because of the eclectic taste he is known for. Quite a few of you will know him as Mo or moc - his posting name.

Some weeks ago I finally got the invitation from Mo to attend the presentation of his watches in London. New watches to see and a meeting with fellow PuristS, a good reason to take the plane for a short trip to London …

More on this after the official Press Release :

RJ-Romain Jerome pays tribute to maritime legends with the Tattoo-DNA collection

RJ-Romain Jerome has joined forces with Mo Coppoletta, one of the world’s most respected tattoo artists, in paying tribute to the tattoo art and to maritime legends through a resolutely contemporary and provocative collection.

The avant-garde watchmaking Maison has chosen to once again celebrate art, but this time in the form of tattoo art. RJ-Romain Jerome has drawn inspiration from the world of sailors with its wealth of traditions and cultural customs. Stemming from close cooperation with Mo Coppoletta, the famous tattoo artist who owns The Family Business tattoo studio in London, and also a keen watch collector, the Tattoo-DNA collection embodies a new legend, that of the "sailor’s grave".

Since the 18 th century, tattoos have always been considered as a powerful form of protection. Entrusting their fate to the elements, sailors from all over the world, and in general men confronted with the sea, had the "weak" parts of their body such as the heart or arms tattooed with symbols of strength intended to serve as a talisman or lucky charm. Humankind has always admired and feared the sea and tattoos were a means of mentally arming themselves against various dangers. Their tattoos were also seen as a means of recounting the key events in their sailor’s lives and of inking their maritime adventures permanently on their skin upon returning to port.

The choice of tattoo motifs took account of numerous maritime superstitions. The anchor for example, symbolises strength, stability and hope – but it is also a link to Mother Earth, which is viewed as protecting sailors. Some tattoos were also made as a tribute to a certain ship or a lost seaman. Such is the case of the "sailor’s grave", the legend depicted on the dial of the new timepiece from RJ-Romain Jerome.

The models in the Tattoo-DNA collection, issued in 25-piece limited series per version, all feature a 50 mm case adorned with a black PVD-coated engraved bezel. The paws found on every RJ-Romain Jerome timepieces are in steel or black PVD-coated steel. The various stamped, engraved and decorated silver decorative elements lend an impressive sense of depth to the dial, which features a scene in which the elements are unleashed. Air, earth and sea appear to be threatening to engulf the boat. The anchor plays a predominant role on the dial in order to ward off bad luck and protect this ship caught up in a storm. The bolts of lightning flashing across the sky are red and yellow lacquered according to the versions and enhanced with superluminova green emission. Ready to face depths of 30 metres thanks to their 3 atm water resistance, the watches in the Tattoo-DNA collection are teamed with a black fabric strap or with a skin-coloured leather strap tattooed by Mo Coppoletta himself.

Tattoos represent a contemporary art form in their own right, now released from any specific cultural straight­jacket while maintaining their undeniable virility and strength of character. By entrusting its dial to the needle of this "epidermal graphic designer", Mo Coppoletta, RJ-Romain Jerome unites two artistically complementary worlds to create a unique collection: Tattoo-DNA. RJ-Romain Jerome once again pushes the boundaries of classic watchmaking in giving rise to a resolutely contemporary and provocative legend.

About Mo Coppoletta

Mo Coppoletta is one of the world’s most well-respected tattoo artists. In 2003, he founded his own tattoo studio, The Family Business, in London. An avid watch collector, Mo Coppoletta places his talent in the service of his passion to give rise to authentic works of art.

About RJ-Romain Jerome

Air, earth, sea: RJ-Romain Jerome offers the raw energy of imagination to those who are capable of nurturing their most secret dreams. Born at the dawn of the 3 rd millennium, RJ-Romain Jerome creates the watches of the new horological era. The magic of the moon, the power of lava, and underwater mysteries are the poetic driving forces behind this creative explosion.

Whether through recovering steel from the Titanic or from the Apollo 11 space shuttle, mingling silver with moon dust or sculpting volcano lava, RJ-Romain Jerome asserts its iconoclastic spirit and electrifies tradition by celebrating contemporary legends. Its approach is characterised by a blend of raw character and elaborate refinement, drawing as much on the roar of an erupting volcano as on the writings of H.G. Wells.

A taste for adventure, an all-conquering spirit and visionary avant-gardism merge with the realm of the imagination in the "Titanic-DNA", "Moon Dust-DNA" and "Eyjafjallajökull-DNA" collections. These three worlds exalt contemporary horizons through a resolutely masculine and contemporary touch. From the ocean depths to the immensity of space, from incandescent lava to age-old minerals, the RJ-Romain Jerome collections are far more than just astonishing watches: they define a new era in watchmaking.

Offering every man a chance to explore a dreamlike new dimension, they also embody the values of their times: a sense of distinctiveness, a need for speed, and a spectacular yet discreetly sophisticated aura of virility.

Air, earth and sea: it is now up to everyone to find his own universe, and to give substance to his dream and to his own vision of Time.

Back to London, inspiration was needed to do the job.

It looks like not everything was that easy …

What shall we do?

What shall we do with a (drunken) sailor …

… early in the morning – the job was done.

Thursday September 12^th in London - the big night

A warm welcome by Manuel Emch and Mo.

The atmosphere was very relaxed and almost Italian, even when it happened in rainy London.

Lots of happy faces and people in good mood.

Gorgeous delicacies from Italy …

… chosen by real connoisseurs.

A well-known Englishman had to be convinced …

… by someone with lots of passion for good food & wine.

What he got in his glass was Lambrusco, believe it or not. I was very skeptic as well, because it reminded me the days as a teenager … parties … girls … low budget … - you know?

In fact it was superb and we had more than just one glass each …

Even better than the catering were the nice conversations we all had with familiar and unfamiliar (to me) people.

Family Business – You know why it is called like this? Maybe because if there is an important event like this, three important members of the Coppoletta family fly in from Italy, PuristS & friends from all-over England and even Europe join and everybody feels like at home.

Once more : What a wonderful “Italian” night in rainy London

Thanks a lot to the hosts, you know who you are!

Something is missing?

Yes, of course – live pictures of the watches. Therefore I made an appointment with the designer himself and his watch, the next morning.

Here we go :

The dial and the case are quite complex and very well executed.
It is nice to look at the details, even with a loupe.

The touch & feel is far from disappointing, in fact it is quite pleasing.

There is lots of spice, but nothing is crying for special attention.

The folding clasp shows the Romain Jerome logo, inside and outside.

On the wrist …

… it feels and looks good, even when I think it is too big for my wrist.

The strap shown is quite comfortable, but I would recommend trying the leather strap as well. I know it will get more attention, but I think it fits great to the theme of the watch – the sailor´s grave.

Congrats to the team from Romain Jerome and to our fellow Purist Mo for their successful project!

Oliver