Romain Jerome’s relationship with classic video games continues with their newest watch in honor of PAC-MAN. Namco’s (today Namco Bandai) PAC-MAN arcade game is probably one of the most recognizable video games in history and originally came out in 1980. Following the success of the Space Invaders watch (hands-on here), Romain Jerome will soon release this high-end limited edition timepiece for those who remember their joystick youth.
PAC-MAN has probably been the subject of less expensive watches, but this is the first time the popular yellow glutton is featured on a luxury product. Based on the RJ Moon Invaders watch collection, the PAC-MAN watches recreate a view of the game play complete with high-quality rendered pixelated characters. Romain Jerome uses a very sophisticated dial production process which layers material to be crisp and offer a true three-dimensional view.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uswzriFIf_k]
Collectors can opt for one of four versions of the new PAC-MAN watch. In each, PAC-MAN is situated at 9 o’clock on top of a 3D depiction of the game play maze. The yellow color is applied with a special glossy lacquer. The ghost enemies are available in gray or colors, each with eyes looking at PAC-MAN. The other two models mimic these but contain two pairs of the iconic extra point cherries. An official PAC-MAN logo is located over 6 o’clock. The tips of the watch hands and character are applied with SuperLumiNova luminant. While PAC-MAN is static, I think it would have been fun to have him function as the subsidiary seconds hand and spin around.
The watch case itself is in steel and 46mm wide. The case is PVD black coated with polished and sandblasted surfaces. Being part of the Moon Invader watch collection, the case has some trace materials from the Apollo 11 moon lander. Attached to the case is a black rubber strap.
Inside the watches are Swiss automatic Concepto movements. These are most certainly unique pieces for a highly exclusive pool of collectors. Are you one of them? You’ll have to have been very into video game history or very wealthy. It helps if you are both. Personally I prefer the PAC-MAN watches to the RJ Space Invader pieces. I think the dials are more interesting and the character rich eyes of the ghosts bring a friendly quality to the piece. Further, PAC-MAN as a character is just as popular as the memorable game play. I have seen them hands-on and they are quite cool on the wrist. The presentation box will surprise you.
Romain Jerome will produce a select batch of the PAC-MAN timepieces as a limited run of just 20 pieces per each of the four styles. The watches will be exclusively launched at the Colette store in Paris on September 3rd, and then at other Romain Jerome retailers thereafter on September 10th, 2012. Price for the Romain Jerome PAC-MAN watches is $17,900.
