Once more the Swiss manufacturer Romain Jerome teamed up with La Joux-Perret to produce their latest futuristic creation, the Moon Orbiter GMT flying tourbillon. The impeccable timepiece is a part of the RJ’s Moon DNA collection.
This creative newcomer houses an automatic flying tourbillon caliber, a made-to-measure movement which has been completely reworked and redesigned to display the entirely new architectural and technical vision in this range.
The universe AIR Caliber RJ7813L mechanical movement offers 45 hours of power reserve. The self-winding mechanism is built on 38 jewels and has the beating rate of 28,800 alternations per hour (4 Hz). The movement is protected against the ingress of water up to 30 meters (100 feet).
Instead a rectangular case of the original model, the new Romain Jerome Moon Orbiter GMT comes in a round stainless steel case measuring 48mm in diameter. The robust case is crafted from steel which incorporates elements from the Apollo 11 spacecraft. The case incorporates two push-pieces and a steel screw-lock crown coated with black rubber. The plate and the dial are made from one piece that is laser engraved with a stellar motif.
Underneath the front sapphire glass lies a stylish dial arranged around the brand’s iconic traverses. The gray dial comprises the flying tourbillon at the 9 o’clock position, which is quite amazing thanks to the bold bridges’ highly modern design. The flying tourbillon is well balanced with the time dial located at the 3 o’clock position.
There is an additional complication at the 12 o’clock, developed exclusively for this model: a fully-integrated, jumping hour retrograde GMT feature. The new time zone is accompanied by a day and night indicator, which is indicated by a fully-functional disc engraved with the sun and stars. The function is activated via the pusher which is placed at the 2 o’clock position.
At the bottom of the dial there is a handy power reserve display. As you can see on these images, all hands are renewed and now come with a red tip which is trendy, yet subtle note to the “red Moon”. The hands are rhodiumed and satin-brushed.
A distinctive X shape can be also found from the reverse side of the watch. It is set onto a ceramic ball bearing, on the oscillating weight, balanced by inertia-blocks which are crafted from an alloy called Moon SilverRJ made of low oxidation silver and genuine moon dust. From the rear, the movement’s circular-grained parts and train are also visible.
Romain Jerome’s unique spring piston lugs have been specially reworked for the new round case to provide maximum comfort on the wrist. Furthermore, the watch comes with a comfortable, black alligator leather strap that enhances the overall look by reproducing that subtle detail with its red stitching.
Romain Jerome Moon Orbiter GMT (ref. RJ.M.TO.MO.011.01) is produced in the ultra-limited edition of only 25 pieces. The retail price is $120,950.