Swiss luxury watchmaker RJ-Romain Jerome has introduced a limited edition of seven timepieces, the DIFC-DNA, paying tribute to the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) in the UAE.

The DIFC-DNA collection of seven timepieces was commissioned by Mohammed Abdulmagied Seddiqi of Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, a leading retailer of luxury Swiss watches.

A leading financial hub that was launched back in 2004, nothing encapsulates the DIFC more than the Gate Building, its headquarters and the first building developed on the site.

Several original screws from this iconic structure were shared with RJ-Romain Jerome, a brand known for its fusion of extreme materials, to create the DIFC-DNA using its Skylab model.

The model’s 44-mm steel case, with satin-finished skeletonised lugs and polished paws, is enhanced with an imposing rusted steel bezel which follows the same process applied to the Titanic collection but instead incorporates the donated screws from the DIFC Gate Building. 

Melted with watchmaking steel, the alloy has been rusted, oxidised then stabilised to obtain such a single effect. With its unique architectural structure with straight lines and angled bridges, the Skylab embodies both brands’ vision of the future, RJ says. 

The manual winding movement with a three-layered skeleton structure designed in-house is NAC finished and allows maximum transparency, in the same manner the DIFC demonstrates its core values of transparency, efficiency and integrity, it says.

The combination of the brand’s most identifiable aesthetic features – the skeleton movement and the rusted steel bezel – grants this new collection the status of an iconic timepiece.

Launched during Dubai Watch Week, hosted by Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons and supported by Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, the timepiece reveals touches of purple, the official colour and symbol of the fair. The small seconds counter indicators as well as the RJ logo are lacquered in purple and purple stitches have been sewn on the integrated alligator strap. 

The DIFC-DNA is limited to seven pieces and available only at Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons.