Romain Jerome (RJ) isn’t beating around the bush with this one. They call it what it is. This is the new RJ Steampunk – and is a follow-up timepieces to the limited edition Romain Jerome Titanic-DNA Tourbillon Steampunk (hold on, let me take a breath) A la Grande watch from a few years ago. There are some differences in style, but the main change (aside from the dial design) is the lack of “Titanic DNA” part of the name and this time RJ uses a movement without a tourbillon -which will certainly help with affordability.

The Steampunk is large at 50mm wide and the bezel is oxidized metal (going with the Titanic DNA theme). The “X” motif of the bezel claws are continued with screws that go deep into the dial. These screws are also meant to resemble steam engine pistons. The large Roman numeral hour markers for 12 and 6 are large and purposes done in a scratched-up texture. We have seen these hands before – and they are meant to evoke the Titanic’s anchor. It is pretty neat and still feels wild. A watch like this is easy to poke comments at, but think about it… you’d probably gladly wear it.

I’ve always liked the contrast of this bezel and the polished case and claws. That is done well. Romain Jerome’s current CEO Manuel Emch has been taking what he likes from the brand’s personality vault and polishing it up. Right now I enjoy that Romain Jerome is focusing on mechanically more simple watches and stressing their design ‘DNA.’ In a sense it is a test to see which models prevail in popularity a few years from now. Those models will likely get more complex treatments then. The watch industry of 2010-2012 isn’t likely to be too much about experimentation.

Inside the watch is a Swiss automatic movement with a subsidiary seconds dial. I have seen propeller subsidiary seconds dial hands before – but this one done like a ship propeller is really cool. Strap is rubber, and I understand that there might be some gold versions, as well as those with PVD black steel (versus the polished model as seen here). As a fan of all things steampunk (aside from the outfits), I look forward to trying this piece on. The Romain Jerome Steampunk watch will be limited to just 2,012 pieces with a price of 12,500 Swiss Francs.

Tech specs from Romain Jerome:

Calibre : RJ001-AS

Mechanical self-winding movement

Rate frequency: 28,800 vph

Jewelling: 23 jewels

Power reserve: 42h

Water resistance: 3 atm

Dial indication: Central hours & minutes, small seconds at 9 o’clock

Case :  50mm

Steel and black PVD coated steel

“Steampunk” style engraving

Bezel : Stabilized Titanic rusted steel

Dial : Dial integrated into the movement. Beadblasted & satin-brushed black gold coloured bridge, with 4 steel pistons & beadblasted rhodiumed bearings

Rhodiumed Roman numerals VI and XII, “raw” finishing

Hands: Rhodiumed & satin-brushed hours & minutes hands, inspired by Titanic’s anchor

Rhodiumed & polished small seconds at 9 o’clock, propeller shape.

Strap: Black rubber with steel folding clasp

Limited edition: 2,012 pieces