Wristwatch made from genuine material from the legendary Titanic: the Romain Jerome Titanic DNA

Wristwatch with authentic Titanic DNA

Romain Jerome has brought historic material to the wrist with his watches: the cases contain both original steel from the Titanic and from the shipyard, Harland & Wolff, which manufactured the Titanic.

The Titanic DNA watches by Romain Jerome (founded by Yvan Arpa, later known under CEO Manuel Emch) are one of the most provocative and symbolic watch collections of the 2000s. They combine haute horlogerie with myth, history, and real artifacts—including steel from the wreck of the RMS Titanic itself.

---

Romain Jerome Titanic DNA – concept & design

The idea: History on your wrist

The watches were made from a mix of:

• Original material from the Titanic wreck (recovered from a depth of approximately 3,800 m in the North Atlantic)

• Steel from the Harland & Wolff shipyard (which built the Titanic)

The case is partly made of this hybridized metal – a kind of rust-resistant alloy with “real Titanic DNA.”

---

Design features

• Rusty, industrial aesthetics – patinated or deliberately weathered

• Bulky case – 46 mm and up

• Rivet look to remind of ship planks

• Skeletonized or textured dials (e.g. with coal dust or seawater patina)

• Rubber or leather strap, sometimes with nautical textures

---

Models & Variants

Titanic DNA Tourbillon

• High-end model with flying tourbillon

• Limited number (often 9–25 pieces)

• Price: CHF 200,000+

Titanic DNA Chronograph

• Automatic movement (e.g. Valjoux 7750)

• Titanium/Titanic steel case

• 3/6/9 counter layout

• Price: approx. €15,000–€25,000

Titanic DNA Rusted Steel

• Patinated case with real rust finish

• Particularly iconic for the line

• Price: ~€10,000–€18,000

Steampunk Collection (from 2010)

• Further development of the Titanic DNA with more open works

• Accented gears, screws, industrial design

• Often “Power Reserve Pistons”, steam engine aesthetics

• Price: ~€12,000–€30,000

---

Controversies & Fascination

• ✳️ Critics saw it as macabre marketing to turn a shipping accident into a luxury watch

• ✅ Fans praised the bold design philosophy, the mix of materials, the storytelling

• The brand later continued with watches such as:

  • Moon DNA (with moon rock)

  • Eyjafjallajökull DNA (with volcanic ash)

  • Batman, Pac-Man & Space Invaders Editions

  … as an “artist of time” in the border area between clock and cultural monument.

---

What about the brand today?

• Romain Jerome was later renamed RJ Watches SA

• In 2020, RJ was officially liquidated and closed

• The Titanic DNA watches are now collector's items with increasing value

---

Collector value (2024-2025)

---

Quote from Yvan Arpa (former CEO):

"Our watches carry history, emotion—and sometimes controversy. But they live."

Source: rjwatches.com, AI