Celebrating 25 years of the fall of the Iron Curtain, RJ-Romain Jerome launches a new and exclusive timepiece in collaboration with The East Side Gallery: the Berlin-DNA.
Dedicated to creating timepieces infused with the notions of “Icons and Legends”, this new timepiece translates the euphoria felt in the wake of the reunification of Germany in the shape of a true piece of Art for the wrist.
Following the reunification in 1990, the East Side Gallery brought together 118 artists from around the globe to paint 1.3 km along the east side of the wall. Known as the longest open-air gallery in the world, this historical monument is also one of the most visited in Germany.
Threatened by pollution, vandalism or destruction, RJ-Romain Jerome has committed itself to preserving this historical emblem by contributing proceeds from the sale of the Berlin-DNA timepieces to the East Side Gallery.
The Berlin-DNA timepiece is housed in a 46mm black PVD coated steel case and black ceramic bezel. Taken from above, the grey dial shows a section of Berlin outlining the three-dimensional streets and buildings. The dial is highlighted by the route of the Wall in red with a green Superluminova finish and a blue line recalling the Spree River.
The design of the dial was inspired by the fall of the Wall, which occurred after the onset of darkness on the city. Therefore RJ-Romain Jerome has worked the entire dial in Superluminova allowing the streets and open spaces of the city to light up in the dark.
The collaboration with the East Side Gallery has allowed RJ-Romain Jerome to collect fragments of the wall which have been incorporated inside the dial of the timepiece – creating a unique piece of art, perpetuating contemporary history on the wrist.
The back of the watch, which is limited to 25 examples, beholds one of the most famous paintings found on the Wall of the East Side Gallery: “The Brother kiss” of Russian artist Dmitri Vrubel.
Inspired by a picture taken in 1979, “The Kiss” illustrates Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev and East German President Erich Honnecker, kissing each other after Mr. Brezhnev’s speech during the 30th anniversary of the Deutsche Demokratische Republik.
A print of this famous image lies on each case back. The watch also beholds a beautifully hand crafted black Hornback crocodile strap recalling the darkness of the case.
The Berlin Wall stood as a symbol of dictatorship and separation but is also the symbol of a peaceful struggle for freedom, euphoria and true solidarity.
Each lucky owner of a Berlin-DNA timepiece will possess a timeless treasure that transcribes Dmitri Vrubel’s thoughts and emotions during the production of his art in 1990 and is an incredible testament to freedom, hopes and dreams for a more human society.
Technical details
Model: Berlin-DNA
Reference: RJ.T.AU.BE.001| Collection: HISTORICAL ICONS| Universe: COLLABORATIONS
Movement
Caliber RJ001-A, Mechanical self-winding movement
23 jewels
Rate frequency: 28,800 v/h
Power reserve: 42 hours
Functions
Central hours and minutes
Case
Ø 46mm
Black PVD-coated steel
Bezel: Black mat ceramic
Paws: Black mat ceramic
Lugs: Black PVD-coated satin-brushed steel
Crown: Black PVD-coated steel with black rubber
Case-back: “The Brother Kiss” engraving, painting by Dmitri Vrubel
Water resistance: 3 atm (30 meters)
Dial
3D map in cement of the city of Berlin
Route of the Berlin Wall in red with Superluminova C1 “green emission”
The Spree River represented in blue with Superlunimova C1 “blue emission”
Entire dial in Superluminova allowing the streets and open spaces of the city to light up in the dark
Cement from the Berlin Wall integrated into the dial
Hands: Black & satin-brushed hour and minute hands with Superluminova C1 “blue emission” tips
Strap
Black Hornback crocodile and black PVD-coated steel folding clasp
Limited edition
25 pieces
Retail price
CHF 12,950.-/ EUR 12,950.- / USD 15,950.-
