The game that captivated a generation has now been honored in watch form. The new Super Mario Bros. themed timepiece by Romain Jerome is the perfect expression of playfulness and avant-garde watchmaking.

Nostalgia is a powerful thing. It reminds us of a time and place in the past with happy associations. It is so powerful, in fact, that when it’s done right, nostalgia can also be used sell products that remind us of those happy times. And we wouldn’t blink an eye buying into it, as long as it helps us relive those memories in some way.

For the generation that grew up playing (the original) Nintendo, there is another reason to be nostalgic. Fans of Super Mario Bros. will be happy to learn that Romain Jerome is now releasing its Super Mario Bros. collection, in honor of the game’s 30th anniversary.

Romain Jerome has managed to masterfully recreate the essence of the original Super Mario Bros. game, featuring the hero himself front and centre. Nintendo’s iconic character is dressed in his familiar plumber’s red shirt and blue overalls, depicted in a jump towards the famous mushroom. The dial perfectly depicts this symbolic element of the game, in an eye-catching and pixilated 8-bit style.

Back in the 1980s, the video game was one of the most graphically advanced. Today, it was equally challenging for the brand to reproduce the effect of the pixels. To do so, the dial was built on a complex three layered plate, each with different finishes, which produces the impressive 3D effect of the dial. Each applique on the dial has been hand-painted in cold enamel and then delicately set on the dial to add even more depth.

The Super Mario Bros. timepiece is housed in the brand’s distinctive Moon Invader 46mm wristwatch case, now produced in titanium grade 5 with a black PVD-coating. The Teflon coated lugs, fitted with safety screws and integrated ball-and-socket joints, allow for optimal wrist adjustment.

The release of the RJ X Super Mario Bros. wristwatch comes just at the right time, capturing the right audience – those who grew up playing the original Nintendo – which now (hopefully) have the means to afford this watch. The limited edition timepiece is produced in only 85 pieces – to commemorate 1985, the year the game was released - and it will retail for bout CHF 15’555 (USD 18’950).

Super Mario Bros. was a generation-defining video game. Nintendo was, and still is, a worldwide pioneer in the creation of video games. And in many ways, Romain Jerome offers a similar energy of imagination in the watch world, celebrating contemporary legends through their exceptional timepieces.

So the collaboration between Romain Jerome and Nintendo is the perfect way to pay tribute to this genre-defining and generation-captivating video game. But, as always, it’s only Mario that gets all the glory. Everyone always forgets about Luigi….

Technical Information

• Caliber: RJ001-A - Mechanical self-winding movement
• Frequency: 28,800 vph
• Power reserve: 42 hours
• Water resistance: 30 atm (30 meters)
• Case: Ø46 mm, black PVD-coated titanium with integrated back
• Case back: Grainy-textured stellar-patterned with Super Mario Bros. medallion
• Dial: Black pixelated 3D dial built on three levels
• Hands: Oxidized black and satin brushed with Superluminova C1 “blue emission”
• Lugs: Fitted with safety screws and integrated ball-and-socket joints in Teflon coating
• Crown: Black PVD-coated screw-lock
• Strap: Black rubber Grainy-textured interior of stellar-patterned with black PVD-coated steel folding clasp