RJ-Romain Jerome has partnered with a talented French tattoo artist to create a new timepiece named Tattoo-DNA by Xoil. This exceptional piece of art is the part of the Romain Jerome’s Artistic Icons collection.
Xoil, whose real name is Loic Lavenu, is well-known for his uniquely imaginative graphic tattoos. His work is inspired by the famous Belgian tattoo artist, Jef of La Boucherie Moderne. In the collaboration with the independent Swiss watchmaker, Xoil applied his art on watch straps as an extension of his world. Inspired by the nineteenth century imagery, the extremely talented tattoo artist has created five worlds, or systems, which are based on the themes of Belief, Balance, Feeling, Perception and Emotion. In these worlds legendary animals and mythological figures are thrown alongside anatomical plates and esoteric symbols. Each of these worlds, or systems, is tattooed onto a board of five leather straps, with the interpretations extending from one bracelet to another.
Romain Jerome Tattoo-DNA by Xoil (ref. RJ.M.AU.025.05) is issued in the limited series of only 25 pieces. Each timepiece is unique and is a part of a harmonious whole guaranteed by the distinctive style of the French artist and his amazing tattoos which spread across the entire body.
This exquisite newcomer comes with a crisp white enamel dial which resembles the many dials owned by the talented Frenchman, who is an avid collector of curiosities. The dial has been cut out with a water jet to reveal two opposing portions. The white dial is encrusted with Roman numerals, and exudes the classic watchmaking tradition, while the lower, cut-out part of the dial displays a modern, skeletonized movement with right-angled bridges.
There is a balance wheel which is visible at the 6 o’clock position, whilst the skeletonized off-centered small seconds ring is placed at the 9 o’clock position. The blued hands are yet another interesting detail and they are shaped like needles which Xoil uses for his tattoos.
The Romain Jerome Tattoo-DNA by Xoil is crafted from a black PVD-coated stainless steel, and fitted with a black chrome skeleton caliber RJ004-M. The impeccable mechanical movement is mounted on 21 jewels, and has a beating pace of 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz). It promises at least 48 hours of power reserve. From the rear, the sapphire case back allows the wearer to admire the reverse side of the mechanism.
The watch case measures 44mm in diameter and features satin-finished black PVD-coated steel bezel, satin-finished steel hollowed lugs and polished steel paws. The case is constructed to resist water pressure up to 30 meters (approximately 100 feet).
The Tattoo-DNA by Xoil is delivered with a certificate signed and numbered by the artist. The suggested retail price is $24,500.
This is not the first time the French tattoo artist combines his art with design. Earlier, Xoil designed a car for a French car manufacturer Peugeot.
