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Author Topic:   Romain Jerome Moon Dust-DNA watches
Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 11-13-2008 07:16 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Romain Jerome press release
Moon Dust-DNA
DNA of Famous Legends

Authentic Moon dust as well as fragments of the Apollo XI, Soyuz and ISS spacecraft integrated into exceptional timepieces

As part of its DNA of Famous Legends concept, featuring timepieces inspired by and created in tribute to the great legends of our times, the Maison Romain Jerome presents its second exclusive collection, entitled Moon Dust-DNA.

Legitimately proud of its Titanic-DNA collection dedicated to the world's greatest maritime legend, Romain Jerome launches out into space in homage to the most fascinating human adventure of all: the conquest of space.

Moon Dust-DNA embodies this incredible odyssey and features its main protagonists. It honours the symbol of this headlong race, distinguished by confrontation as well as occasional collaboration between the American and Soviet superpowers, whose main aim was to reach the Moon.

The design of the Moon Dust-DNA collection is inspired by and incorporate the DNA heritage of the great players and major figures in the conquest of space. The materials composing the models in this collection incorporate authentic fragments from the aerospace universe such as moon dust as well as fragments of the Apollo XI and Soyuz spacecraft and the International Space Station (ISS).

Moon Dust-DNA features:

  • A lunar dial based on a mineral deposit including Moon dust;

  • A 46 mm steel and titanium case incorporating steel from the Apollo XI spacecraft;

  • Rusted steel paws including fragments of the Soyuz spacecraft; and

  • A strap composed of fibres from a spacesuit worn during the ISS mission.
Romain Jerome guarantees that the origin of each of these materials is duly certified by a legal document authenticated in Switzerland. Each piece in the Moon Dust-DNA collection will also be accompanied by a certificate from the Association of Space Explorers (ASE) saluting the approach of Romain Jerome and the tribute it is thereby rendering to the conquest of space.

A strap composed of fibres from a spacesuit worn during the ISS mission.
The watches, which will be offered in several styles but limited to a total of 1,969 timepieces, start at $15,000 and can cost as much as $500,000. They will be presented to customers at next year's Baselworld, the largest annual fair for the watch and jewelry industry.

SpaceAholic
Member

Posts: 4437
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 11-13-2008 07:46 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for SpaceAholic   Click Here to Email SpaceAholic     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Ghastly... first one looks like something that could have been pulled out from a trip to the dumpster.

Mr Meek
Member

Posts: 353
From: Chattanooga, TN
Registered: Dec 2007

posted 11-13-2008 08:05 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Mr Meek     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
It's certainly...eye-catching.

So, where did they get the moon dust? Surely NASA had something to say about that.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 11-13-2008 11:22 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The source of the lunar material is proprietary to Romain Jerome, however it was certified authentic by the Lunar Planetary Institute (LPI) in Houston. LPI works closely with NASA.

The Association of Space Explorers inspected the provenance and authenticity of the materials being used in the watches, and "are satisfied that all of the materials were acquired legally and ethically."

Philip
Member

Posts: 5952
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001

posted 11-13-2008 12:06 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Philip   Click Here to Email Philip     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
While an Omega Speedmaster is an actual used type of watch in manned spaceflight, this DNA-watch is "financially" out-of-reach for most cS-ers... just my opinion.

ilbasso
Member

Posts: 1522
From: Greensboro, NC USA
Registered: Feb 2006

posted 11-13-2008 02:31 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for ilbasso   Click Here to Email ilbasso     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I'll take a dozen. Do they take PayPal?

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 11-13-2008 02:38 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
You joke, but my understanding is that at last night's well-attended debut in Geneva, there were afficionados who are known to spend millions of dollars on watches alone.

And yes, they were ordering multiples of the Moon Dust-DNA timepieces.

GoesTo11
Member

Posts: 1309
From: Denver, CO
Registered: Jun 2004

posted 11-13-2008 05:09 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for GoesTo11   Click Here to Email GoesTo11     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Great timing! (Sorry, couldn't resist.) Just as I was making out my Christmas list.

Seriously, Robert is right... these aren't aimed at space enthusiasts, they're intended for wealthy collectors of fine watches... A very lucrative if not large market.

As for aesthetics, I actually like it. No accounting for taste, I guess.

skye12
Member

Posts: 49
From: Austin, TX, USA
Registered: Feb 2001

posted 11-13-2008 06:51 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for skye12   Click Here to Email skye12     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
When I win the mega millions this week, I will pick up a couple to go with my new Porsche GT2.

MrSpace86
Member

Posts: 1618
From: Gardner, KS, USA
Registered: Feb 2003

posted 11-17-2008 07:00 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for MrSpace86   Click Here to Email MrSpace86     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Another piece of the Apollo 11 spacecraft melted away forever, used to make fine watches.

First light
Member

Posts: 85
From: Canada
Registered: Apr 2007

posted 11-23-2008 05:09 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for First light   Click Here to Email First light     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I admit I prefer the second one. They could have made a much better job of making a nice lunar surface (with SLA and radar sat data for example), but the rusty parts of spacecraft on the first one are interesting.

Small lunar soil specimens were handed out to ambassadors of all nations, from what I remember. One or more of them might possibly be the source of the lunar dust.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 11-23-2008 05:26 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by First light:
Small lunar soil specimens were handed out to ambassadors of all nations, from what I remember.
Not exactly; there were two lunar sample gifts: Apollo 11 and Apollo 17.

The ambassadors may have been present for the presentation ceremony but the gifts were made to the people of the nation, which under a majority of the 135 recipients' laws, would prevent private or individual ownership.

That would still allow the potential for a sample being sold, but it would be a great shame if that was the case.

A far easier way to obtain lunar dust would be to purchase a lunar-dust stained item from an Apollo astronaut...

All times are CT (US)

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