Renowned for outlandish and non-conformist styling, Geneva based watch company Romain Jerome have taken luxury watchmaking into areas previously unchartered by others, with their use of exotic materials, frivolous and humorous animated computer game characters and some downright zany themed watch collections.

However extreme the design might be, what beats behind the sometimes seemingly light-hearted facade of these popular watches is serious horologic knowhow because as well as packing serious presence on the wrist, they also come equipped with high grade Swiss manufacture movements, from innovators and specialist calibre designers Concepto.

Encased in a striking 48mm case of black PVD stainless steel with brushed and polished elements, and even traces of the Apollo 11 space vehicle, the superb Romain Jerome Skylab 48 Speed Metal Skull SLN is a dramatic wristwatch in every aspect.

The skeletonised dial is dominated by the huge skull motif, which commands attention before the eye starts to absorb the other details on display, such as the fully skeletonised movement plate which replaces a conventional dial, revealing the openworked self winding movement deeper inside. In true Romain Jerome style, the black chrome skull has been coated in Super LumiNova which, in low light environments, burns powerfully in blue to spectacular effect. Similarly the hour and minute hands are tipped with the blue lume as well.

Behind the activity on the dial side, the stripped back and openworked movement bares its gear train and open spring barrel, with the balance and escapement providing a constant pulsating movement behind the skull’s teeth. 

Inside, the hand winding movement has been specially designed and conceived by the Concepto manufacture, and fully wound it will run for 48 hour. A sapphire caseback gives the entire watch a transparency.

The watch is fitted with a black alligator leather strap with steel tang buckle ensuring a luxuriously comfortable wear on the wrist.