Romain Jerome introduces the Tattoo DNA with Tattoo Artist Mo Coppoletta

Romain Jerome has surprised us many times with special fusions of watchmaking with worldly events. He already created collections using lava from the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull, steel from the Titanic and copper from the Statue of Liberty. His latest collections pays tribute to tattoo art and maritime legends, and he does this in cooperation with one of the world’s most respected tattoo artists and keen watch collector Mo Coppoletta.

Imagine a 50 mm large watch with a huge anchor on the dial, a sinking ship in the waves of a heavy sea, thunderclouds and two luminescent thunderbolts. And it comes on either a black fabric strap OR… a skin-coloured leather strap tattooed by Mo Coppoletta himself. That’s something that you can expect from watchmaker-extraordinair Romain Jerome. The launch of the new Tattoo-DNA collection took stage in Mo Coppoletta’s tattoo parlour, The Family Business, in London. Mo Coppoletta – friend of the show – features in this video that perfectly shows what the Tattoo-DNA embodies: the Sailor’s Grave.

Did you know that tattoos have always been considered as a powerful form of protection? Since the 18th century sailors from all over the world 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.

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. And the case-back features another typical tattoo motif and also the collection’s name.

The new Tattoo-DNA collection comprises 4 different models, each issued in 25 pieces. The stainless steel case measures a hefty 50 mm and it is adorned with a black PVD-coated engraved bezel. The typical “paws”, found on every RJ-Romain Jerome timepiece, are in steel or black PVD-coated steel. The dial is made in silver and has been stamped, engraved and decorated, which give the dial an impressive sense of depth. It features a scene in which the elements are unleashed and which leads, eventually, to the sailor’s grave. Heavy colds, thunderbolt lightning, a rough sea and a ship on its way down to the bottom of the sea.

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 or yellow lacquered according to the versions and enhanced with superluminova green emission. The collection comprises 4 versions, each limited to 25 pieces, available for a retail price of € 15,950 Euro or $ 18,450 USD.

Some specifications:

• Movement: Caliber RJ001-A, self-winding, 28,800 vph, 23 jewels, power reserve of 42 hours
• Case: stainless steel with steel or black PVD-coated steel paws, 50 mm in diameter, structured black PVD-coated steel bezel, “Tattoo-DNA” engraving in the case-back, water resistant to 30 metres
• Dial: different levels of stamped, engraved and decorated silver elements, bolts of lightning lacquered in red or yellow and enhanced with superluminova green emission
• Strap: black fabric or skin-coloured leather strap tattooed by Mo Coppoletta, steel or black PVD-coated steel folding clasp

For more information about Romain Jerome, please visit his website here. Mo Coppoletta’s work can be admired at the Family Business’ website.