Romain Jerome Titanic-DNA

The Titanic-DNA collection from Romain Jerome was one of the most talked-about phenomena in independent watchmaking in the 2000s. The concept was to integrate authentic historic materials directly into the watch. The cases of this series use steel containing genuine fragments recovered from the wreck of the Titanic at a depth of 3,840 metres, fused with steel from the Harland & Wolff shipyard where the liner was built.

The line's signature is its stabilised rusted bezel. The natural oxidation of the metal is halted by a patented passivation process, which prevents further deterioration while preserving the characteristic texture. The design is completed by the distinctive "claws" (bumpers) around the case, hands styled after ship's anchors and steam-engine parts, and dials that on some versions incorporate genuine coal dust from the Titanic.

Technically, the series relies on proven Swiss automatic movements and robust chronographs. The cases, from 46 mm to 50 mm in diameter, are built for strength and visual presence. This is avant-garde, conceptual watchmaking for collectors drawn to unconventional historical narratives and expressive industrial design.