Retrospective the RJ-Romain Jerome “Dia de los Muertos”

Through a series of remarkable timepiece collections, the watchmaking maison RJ-Romain Jerome continues to celebrate life and death with the limited editions of the “Día de los Muertos”. This year, it welcomes the “Día de los Muertos Clásico”, another iconic addition to the popular collection that honours one of the most important dates in the Mexican calendar

Inspired by the South Americans’ devotion in commemorating the Day of the Dead (otherwise known as Dia de los Muertos), the renowned watch company RJ-Romain Jerome crafted timepieces that honour the tradition that dates back to Aztec origins about 3,500 years ago.  After the initial unveiling of the exclusive “Dia de los Muertos” collection in 2012, the Swiss watch brand had created year after year limited edition pieces that celebrate life and death based on this olden custom.

This year, with the launch of “Día de los Muertos Clásico” collection,RJ-Romain Jerome had returned to this remarkable tradition that had been declared part of Unesco’s “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity”. From the first collection to the latest one, the watchmaking maison ensured that every detail of the timepieces echoed the joyful and colourful festivities that accompany the Mexican’s merrymaking every 2^nd of November, the date dedicated to the Dia de los Muertos.

“Dia de los Muertos”

With two models made in twenty five pieces each, RJ-Romain Jerome began the dedicated series of “Dia de los Muertos” collection by designing the dial of the watch according to traditional Mexican decorations.

The unique timepiece showcased a carefully hand-crafted skull-shaped applique adorned with a champlevé decoration, cold enamelled in different colours that symbolised the traditional belief about the seven stages through which the soul of the dead must pass before being able to rest in peace. Also, the colourful applique followed the look of the "calaveras" – the skulls made of sugar given away by the Mexicans as good luck tokens during the Dia de los Muertos festival.

Its mirror-polished dial displayed an engraving of the brand’s emblematic X shape, along with the applied RJ logo. Meanwhile, it was presented in 46mm case made in black PVD-coated steel, with “Día de los Muertos” medallion engraved on the case back. 

Other features of the limited edition watch included the black satin brushed hands with Superluminova C1 "blue emission", the bezel in black ceramic, the 23 jewels, the power reserve of 42 hours, the water resistance of up to 30 meters, and a black hornback alligator strap. 

“Dia De Los Muertos Diamante”

Following the birth of the “Dia de los Muertos” in 2012, the second in the series was the equally remarkable “Dia de los Muertos Diamante”. By combining Mexican beliefs and RJ-Romain Jerome’s creativity, the collection aimed to push wearers to reflect on “Memento Mori”, the Latin saying reminding one of his mortality.

Released in five different models crafted with only twenty five pieces each, this collection flaunted the signature features of the first “Dia de los Muertos”. The timepieces displayed black mirror-polished dial with the colourful "calaveras" applique, the brand’s emblematic X shape with the applied RJ logo, the black satin brushed hands with Superluminova C1 "blue emission”, the 23 jewels, the power reserve of 42 hours, the water resistance of up to 30 meters, and a black hornback alligator strap. 

Powered by Calibre RJ001-A mechanical self-winding movement, the models remained true with most of the features yet also showcased individual uniqueness. Two models came with black PVD-coated steel bezel with either 108 black sapphires or brilliant-cut diamonds. The collection also included a model with a skull set with 374 black spinels for 0.62 carats, and a “calaveras” with an entirely diamond-pavé dial of 469 stones totaling around 0.57 carats.

Meanwhile, one model featured the brand’s iconic claws and emblematic X set with 232 diamonds of approximately 0.54 carats. Last but not least, one model presented an applique with 374 black spinels of about 0.62 carats and a black bezel with 108 black sapphires of about 0.71 carats.

“Día de los Muertos Resucitado”

The RJ-Romain Jerome’s Día de los Muertos collection last year was in collaboration with Tattoo artist Xam, author of the “Sugar Skull”. Part of RJ-Romain Jerome’s Historical Icons, this limited edition of 25 pieces per model was again a tribute to the heritage of the Mexican culture.

The “Día de los Muertos Resucitado”offered a range of four new designs, each housed in a black PVD-coated 46mm steel case. The watch’s sleek aesthetic came from the delicate satin finished of its black ceramic bezel, and focused on the RJ’s emblematic skull or “calaveras” in the centre of the dial. Available in summery turquoise with pastel trappings, bright white or deep black with black or white ornaments, each “calaveras” was carefully hand-crafted with a modern interpretation of the champlevé decoration process, skilfully hand painted in cold enamel, and finally adorned on a mirror-polished dial.

To further highlight the dark palette, a black PVD-coating had been applied to the steel paws, recreating RJ’s emblematic X motif that can be found engraved across the dial of many RJ timepieces.

The combination of the black PVD-coated crown, black minute and hour brushed hands with Superluminova C1 "blue emission" tips anda black hornback alligator strap created a striking contrast between the dark features of the watch and the bold and bright skull-shaped applique.

This “Resucitado” collection offered an additional red gold model with red gold “calaveras” and filigrees, red gold paws, minute and hours hands, giving the “Día de los Muertos Resucitado” collection a glowing new alternative.

“Día de los Muertos Clásico”

Since the unveiling of the “Dia de los Muertos” collections, RJ-Romain Jerome was consistent in delivering colourful and skilfully crafted watches dedicated to the Mexican tradition. This year, the iconoclastic brand brought back the collection with modern reinterpretation yet still upholding the distinctive design features of the original models.

Crafted in collaboration with Tattoo artist Xam, author of the “Sugar Skull”, the “Día de los Muertos Clásico” offered a range of three new designs that reflected the brands artisanal know-how and artistic vision.

Each housed in an elegant 43 mm black PVD-coated steel case, the timepiece’s black bezel had been delicately engraved with the collection’s signature “calaveras” and filigree decorations. The dial sported the brands recognisable X traverses while the rest of the surface was filled with engravings of the famous skull.

While remaining true to the past collections’ signature hand-crafted applique with modern interpretation of the champlevé decoration hand painted in cold enamel, the new “Día de los Muertos Clásico” boasted two models that were hand painted in silver lacquer. These two models also displayed the skull’s gridded teeth set with either brilliant cut diamonds or rubies, mirroring the stones set on the X traverses on the dial. Meanwhile, one model flaunted the applique with beautifully set black spinels.

Released with 99 pieces per model, the “Día de los Muertos Clásico” was the latest testament to the RJ-Romain Jerome’s Historical Icons, continuing its preservation of cultural emblems and traditions.