If you should happen to have a large chunk of change just burning a hole in your pocket, and you happen to have a yen for nautical history, the Ear has the perfect bling for you: Swiss watchmaker Romain Jerome is making a three-pound chunk of the Titanic’s hull into luxury timepieces called “Titanic-DNA.”

Here is some of the hype on the watchmaker’s Web site:

“The hands are inspired by the anchor of the Titanic and turn on a dial of deep black; a colour obtained from the coal collected in the legendary shipwreck. The small second hand at 9 o’clock recalls the meters of the ship’s steam engines.”

And, “Each version contains a La Joux-Perret movement and is limited to 2,012 pieces; a number referring to the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Titanic.”

The Ear thinks all the chit-chat is to distract you from the price, which is (according to Women’s Wall Street) from $7,800 to $173,100. Start saving your pennies, Titanic fans.

You can read all about the watch at www.romainjerome.ch/rj/baselworld2007/index.htm