Swiss luxury watch maker RJ-Romain Jerome introduces a new Black edition of the emblematic Liberty-DNA timepiece. Following its initial launch in 2012, this new model pays tribute to the city that never sleeps and to the Lady of independence.
This original collection is the fruit of collaboration between RJ-Romain Jerome, The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation and The Gold Leaf Corporation. This year, the brand releases a new model celebrating the 127th year of the dedication of Miss Liberty.
The result is a unique creation complete with a black PVD-coated bronze bezel, echoing the true nature of The Statue of Liberty.
Loyal to Bartholdi’s original design, the vision of “Liberty Enlightening the World” shines through in each detail of the watch. Housed in a 46mm black PVD-coated steel case, the bezel of the timepiece has been designed to perfectly sit over and protect the dial, as if it was wearing Miss Liberty’s famous crown.
The spikes of the crown, thought to represent our planet’s seven continents, are illustrated here as time indicators, replacing the numerals on the dial and allowing the tips of the hands to appear through the crown’s “windows”. The famous dial composed of copper from the Statue of Liberty is now available in light grey and has been oxidized to recall the statue’s famous aesthetic.
The copper for dial was recovered from fragments of the Statue of Liberty during the restoration work undertaken for its centenary. In partnership with The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, Gold Leaf Corporation supplied the historical artifacts to RJ-Romain Jerome, which were then incorporated into the dial.
The RJ logo is delicately applied at 12 o’clock. The facetted and polished hour and minute hands have been blackened to highlight the sharp appearance of this unique timepiece. The case is held by four paws in black PVD coated steel creating RJ-Romain Jerome’s signature X, found across each dial of the brand’s watch collections.
A medallion on each case back of the collection shows the flame of freedom lighting up the stars of the American flag with the number of each limited edition delicately engraved.
The black horn back strap creates the perfect finish to this symbolic timepiece that will inspire generations to come and remind them of the willpower of their great ancestors. The black Liberty-DNA is limited to 125 pieces as a nod to its big sister, the original Liberty-DNA model that celebrated Miss Liberty’s 125th Anniversary in 2012.
This exciting collaboration has brought RJ-Romain Jerome’s watchmaking expertise together with the history of the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation to both showcase Swiss artisanal know-how as well as to perpetuate the notion that “Liberty Enlightens the World” for future generations.
The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation
The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization founded in 1982 to raise funds for and oversee the historic restorations of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, working in partnership with the National Park Service/U.S. Department of the Interior.
In addition to restoring the monuments, the Foundation created a museum in the Statue’s base and the world-class Ellis Island Immigration Museum, The American Immigrant Wall of Honor®, the American Family Immigration History Center® and its newest project The Peopling of America® Center scheduled for completion in 2013. Its endowment has funded over 200 projects at the islands.
About Gold Leaf Corporation
Gold Leaf was established in 1984 and is the exclusive partner of The Statue of Liberty – Ellis Island Foundation, Inc. for artifacts preserved from the centennial restoration of the Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island.
Gold Leaf is dedicated to utilizing the artifacts preserved from The Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island in specially designed programs to perpetuate the idea and spirit of “Liberty Enlightening the World”.
Technical details
Model: Liberty-DNA Black
Reference RJ.T.AU.LI.002.01
Movement
Caliber RJ001-A
Mechanical self winding movement
Frequency: 28,800 v/h
Jewelling: 23 jewels
Power reserve: 42 hours
Functions
Central hours & minutes
Case
Ø46 mm
Black PVD-coated steel
Engraved case back depicting the flame of liberty lighting up the stars and stripes of the American flag
Bezel: PVD coated bronze bezel which recalls the aesthetic of the statue’s famous crown
Water resistance: 3atm (30 meters)
Dial
Grey lacquered dial containing the DNA of the Statue of Liberty
Hands: Black facetted, polished and sandblasted hands
Strap
Black hornback strap
Edition
Limited edition of 125 pieces
Retail price
USD 14,900.-/ CHF 13,500.-/ EUR 13,500.-
