Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Fashion & Style
  3. Legacy Archives

The Manual Wind: Romain Jerome Skylab 48 in Honor of NASA’s Space Station

The term ‘modern watch’ covers a wide spectrum of the watch market.  This term encompasses both classic brands with new technology and design, and the eccentric specialty brands that live on the edge.  The specialty modern watches are always pushing the boundaries of not only technology and design, but theme as well.  One brand well known for its theme designs is Romain Jerome.  Having made their debut with the Titanic DNA watch, which had parts of the Titanic in the actual watch, RJ has come out with some outrageous themed timepiece over the years.  Their latest themed piece, the Skylab 48, is inspired by NASA’s first space station.

skylab48b
Image used with permission by copyright holder

At a sizable 48mm in diameter, the Skylab 48 is a monster skeletonized piece. Fragments of the Apollo 11 spacecraft make this a genuine themed Romain Jerome.  Five layers of black steel make up the dial and hold the visible movement.  The case of this space station on your wrist is black steel PVD coated and also comes available with a red gold bezel.  As Romain Jeromes come, this is one of the more tame designs considering some of their previous.  Paired with a crocodile strap and matching PVD buckle, size aside, this piece might actually be considered a dress piece.  Limited to 99 pieces of each model, this is sure to get collectors attention.

Recommended Videos

Romain Jerome is known for their themed timepieces.  From the Titanic DNA to the Moon Dust and Space Invaders, RJ definitely makes an interesting modern watch.  The Skylab 48 is another great example of a modern watch that pushes the boundaries of ordinary.  These pieces do come with a price tag; $20,950 in Steel and $24,500 with a red gold bezel.  To own one will set you back a pretty penny, but not many can say they have a piece of the Apollo on their wrist.

Ian Schwam
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Contributing writer and watch enthusiast Ian Schwam dons an expert knowledge of all things watches. Having spent a decade in… Read Full Bio
Topics
A 200-year-old watch brand just relaunched with four new collections
Watch, Wrist, Dial

A Gallet stopwatch called “The Sun” once timed the Wright brothers’ first powered flight at Kitty Hawk in 1903.

Now, Gallet, the Swiss watchmaker founded in 1826 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, is back for its 200th anniversary, relaunched as a sibling brand to Breitling, which will manufacture every new watch.

Read more
How should a blazer fit? A guide to getting that coveted contemporary look
blue button down with a tie

Ah…the blazer. The boat captain. The dad at the recital. The yacht club regular. This is one of the staples of the men’s wardrobe, something every man should have and understand. The conversation around tailored garments gets more and more complicated as contemporary changes start to pile on top of traditional focuses. Now, I am nothing if not traditional, but since we aren’t sticks in the mud, we will talk about the traditional and weave in a little bit of contemporary.

Ready to wear a blazer in 2026? Here is how a blazer should fit in 2026.

Read more
The Gentleman’s Guide to Groomsman Gifts
Wristwatch, Arm, Body Part

When I was a groomsman in my twenties, I was too broke for gifts. The best I could offer was a thoughtful card and a colorful toast after the wine started flowing. Youthful charm more or less excused showing up empty-handed—along with overindulging in Champagne and making passes at bridesmaids. As I approach forty, however, it’s not quite as cute. Forgoing a gift is as tacky as staring at the bride’s décolletage.

Wedding gifts are often items for the couple: coffee makers, bedding, fancy soap dispensers. But leave such boring gewgaws to great-aunts, chums of the bride’s parents, or the family dentist no one expected actually to show up. As a groomsman, you have a duty to present your stalwart pal with loot he’ll cherish. A beautiful bottle of whiskey. A handsome watch. Perhaps some art for his (gentle)man cave.

Read more