RJ ARRAW Spider-Man Carbon
RJ's new comics themed-watch is a mechanical spider web.
The turn of the new century has heralded a new era for popular culture: we are living in Hollywood’s comic-book age. Superheroes are getting increasingly popular as their movies are seen by millions. In the frame of its signature collaboration series, RJ has created numerous watches drawing inspiration from superheroes and villains from DC Comics and Marvel. This fall, the brand introduced new Spider-Man watches and today we are going hands-on with the RJ ARRAW Spider-Man Carbon.
The RJ Arraw Spider-Man Carbon is a limited-edition watch whose design is inspired by the famous Super Hero and his universe. Its stealthy black carbon case houses a skeletonised movement in the shape of a spider web. It focuses all the attention on depth and volume with its three-dimensional structure. The openwork main plate and bridges are filled with red lacquer and powerfully structure the hand-wound calibre. The balance wheel is visible at 6 o’clock and the barrel at 12 o’clock. Through the transparent construction, the motion of the gear train makes the flow of time visible. The small seconds at 8 o’clock takes the form of a red lacquered spider.
Framed by a black flange, the openworked dial features satin-brushed appliqués with luminescent coating. The arrow-shaped hands are also skeletonized.
With its 45mm diameter, the RJ ARRAW Spider-Man Carbon stands out with its rounded modular construction, its 4 rubber bumpers and profiled lugs. The use of carbon and titanium (for the caseback) allows for a super-light case with shimmering anthracite effects.
Turning the watch over, the titanium caseback is secured by 6 screws. It offers an unimpeded view of the skeletonized movement. The hand-wound calibre RJ-3005 is based on a Concepto ébauche and manufactured in the brand’s new manufacture in Eysins. It runs at 28,800 vibrations/hour with a 48-hour power reserve. Worth mentioning is the characteristic “octopus” spring, which is actually three springs in one: pull-out piece spring, lever spring and click spring.
On the wrist, the RJ ARRAW Spider-Man Carbon is certainly not for the faint-hearted. Still, the watch seems less voluminous than its 45mm would suggest. The curvy case with its integrated strap wears comfy. The polyamide strap features a black Spider-Man logo. The ARRAW interchangeable strap system allows you to exchange your strap and the personality of your watch in seconds, without the need for tools. The strap is released with a simple ‘click’ by pushing simultaneously on the two lug screws. The folding buckle is black PVD titanium.
The RJ ARRAW Spider-Man Carbon is a limited edition of 100 pieces. Price is set at CHF 18,900 or EUR 19,400. Naturally, some will have a lot to say about that polarizing comic-themed Swiss mechanical watch and its concept. But if you are a well-off Spider-Man fan, the watch will make a perfect wrist companion… somehow, you don’t need radioactive spider venom to feel a bit like a superhero. For more information, please visit rjwatches.com.