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Jacob & Co.: Creativity and Innovation
With their unique complications, exclusive designs, and high quality, Jacob & Co. is happy to stray from the beaten path with their timepieces. This young New-York-based brand is a true innovator and popular with stars like Jay-Z and Lionel Messi.
The Next Generation of Haute Horlogerie
The extraordinary timepieces from New York City's Jacob & Co. have been capturing the imagination of the watch world since 2002. Company founder Jacob Arabo's first creation, the Five Time Zone, was an absolute hit. Thanks to its five quartz movements, this model displays the local time alongside the times in New York, Los Angeles, Paris, and Tokyo. Versions of this watch remain an important part of Jacob & Co.'s current catalog.
The Astronomia, Twin Turbo, and Opera collections have also grabbed their fair share of headlines. The watches in the Astronomia series combine a triple-axis tourbillon with a miniature diorama of our solar system. The Twin Turbo models take their inspiration from classic sports cars and boast two synchronized tourbillons. Finally, the Opera collection contains a range of musical watches that can play the main themes from either "The Godfather" or "Scarface."
Another highlight is the Epic SP24, which the manufacturer equips with a unique "split flap" display. This display recreates the look of departure and arrival boards found at airports and train stations. Jacob & Co. demonstrates their jewelry-making prowess in the Millionaire, Billionaire, Caviar, and Mystery collections. The timepieces from these lines are largely encrusted with sparkling gemstones.
Jacob & Co. crafts most of their extravagant timekeeping creations out of precious metals like gold or platinum, though they also manufacture timepieces in stainless steel, titanium, carbon, ceramic, and sapphire crystal. What's more, most of the brand's watches have strictly limited production runs, especially those with complicated mechanical calibers. As a result, many Jacob & Co. watches are fantastic collector's items with the potential to appreciate in value.
Reasons to Buy a Jacob & Co. Watch
- Haute horlogerie perfected
- Unique calibers with extraordinary complications
- Distinctive designs
- Strictly limited production numbers
Prices at a Glance: Jacob & Co. Watches
Model, reference number | Price (approx.) | Material, features |
Rasputin Tourbillon Baguette, CT200.30.BD.UD.A | 2.35 million USD | White gold, diamonds, tourbillon, minute repeater |
Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon Sapphire, BU210.80 | 1.5 million USD | Sapphire crystal, 30° tourbillon, animated engine block |
Astronomia Sky, AT110.60.AA.WD.A | 875,000 USD | Platinum, triple-axis tourbillon, day/night indicator |
Opera Godfather, OP120.40.AA.AA.A | 446,000 USD | Rose gold, sapphire, musical clock, triple-axis tourbillon |
Astronomia Casino, AT160.40.AB.AB.ABALA | 411,000 USD | Rose gold, tourbillon, roulette wheel |
Epic SF24 Tourbillon, ES102.24.NS.LC.A | 229,000 USD | DLC-coated titanium, split-flap GMT display, flying tourbillon |
Epic X Chrono Messi, EC313.20.PE.LL.K | 38,500 USD | Titanium, chronograph |
Epic X Racing, EX100.21.WR.WB.A | 27,000 USD | Titanium, skeletonized caliber |
Palatial Five Time Zone Pirate, PZ500.10.RO.NP.A | 14,000 USD | Stainless steel, five time zones |
Five Time Zone, JCMATH14 | 3,600 USD | Stainless steel, five time zones |
How much do Jacob & Co. watches cost?
You can find Jacob & Co. watches on Chrono24 for as little as 1,300 USD. The most affordable models are generally older versions of the Five Time Zone, such as the stainless steel JCM 7 or JCM 29. The Five Time Zone collection is also home to watches with diamonds. These editions demand between 3,600 and 8,700 USD.
Watches from the Epic X and Epic SF24 collections fall in the middle of the Jacob & Co. price range. Skeletonized three-hand models from the former series change hands for upwards of 14,000 USD, while Epic X chronographs cost anywhere from 24,500 to 38,000 USD. Finally, expect to pay between 63,000 and 86,000 USD for an Epic SF24 with a split-flap display, depending on the exact model.
Timepieces in the Astronomia, Twin Turbo, and Opera collections regularly sell for between 420,000 and 822,000 USD. The addition of diamonds easily pushes those prices past the million-dollar mark. The Billionaire II and Rasputin Tourbillon top the charts and require investments of more than 2 million USD.
Astronomia: A Planetarium for Your Wrist
The Astronomia collection stands out among Jacob & Co.'s portfolio of extraordinary timepieces. Perhaps the most interesting features are the four-arm in-house calibers that rotate on their axes beneath the domed sapphire crystal. The company developed these movements specially for the Astronomia collection.
One exceptional model is the fully skeletonized Astronomia Tourbillon. Here, the caliber's first arm holds the tourbillon, which rotates on three axes. The tourbillon takes 60 seconds to complete a rotation on the first axis, 2.5 minutes on the second axis, and 10 minutes on the third axis. An off-center time display sits directly across from the tourbillon. Its dial is also skeletonized and shows the hours and minutes. A patented differential gear system guarantees the time display is always facing the right direction as the movement rotates. Jacob & Co. mounts two small celestial bodies on the other two arms: A hand-lacquered magnesium globe represents the Earth, while a spherical Jacob-cut diamond with 288 facets symbolizes the Moon.
Other fascinating creations include the Astronomia Sky and Astronomia Solar. Both outdo the Astronomia Tourbillon in terms of complications. The Astronomia Sky places the Earth in the middle, where it serves as a day/night indicator. A small seconds has taken its place on the fourth arm. A disc with constellations from the night sky over the Northern Hemisphere sits beneath the movement. This disc takes a full astronomical year (or 365.259635864 days) to complete one cycle. You can view the constellations currently visible in the sky using the oval indicator.
The Astronomia Solar shows the entire solar system. In addition to the gems on the movement's arms, Jacob & Co. decorates the lower disc with semiprecious stones representing the different planets: There's white granite for Mercury, rhodonite for Venus, red jasper for Mars, pietersite for Jupiter, tiger's eye for Saturn, calcite for Uranus, and lapis lazuli for Neptune. If that wasn't enough, this timepiece also boasts a stunning time display that uses the twelve zodiac signs instead of numerals to mark the hours.
The Astornomia for Gamblers and Art Connoisseurs
The Astronomia is more than just a collection for stargazers. The Astronomia Casino is a prime example of this. This model is very similar to the Astronomia Tourbillon but for one major exception: Beneath the movement, it features a fully functional roulette wheel and ball protected by a sheet of sapphire crystal. A push-piece at 8 o'clock sets the mechanism in motion, enabling the wearer to play a round of roulette anytime, anywhere.
On the other hand, the Astronomia Art is far less interactive. Instead, these watches are meant to be admired with the eyes. Beyond a stunning tourbillon and time display, each timepiece features an exquisite depiction of a dragon, spider, tiger, or other beast. Jacob & Co. also produces the Astronomia Art with miniature depictions of the Taj Mahal or Moscow's most iconic attractions.
Prices for Astronomia Watches
Jacob & Co. produces most Astronomia watches in rose or white gold. However, there are also several options available in ceramic or sapphire crystal, as well as editions with generous amounts of diamonds and other precious stones. The price range for these timepieces is as varied as the material options. You can purchase a simple model for as little as 236,000 USD, while the most intricately decorated variants sell for upwards of 1.15 million USD.
Five Time Zone: NYC, LA, Paris, Tokyo
The Five Time Zone was Jacob & Co.'s first watch and a smash hit. The name gives away this model's secret: It can simultaneously display the time in five time zones. In addition to the local time, there are four subdials for other time zones at 2, 4, 8, and 10 o'clock. While the subdials at labeled "New York," "Los Angeles," "Paris," and "Tokyo," you can set them to the time zones of your choice using their corresponding crowns. Jacob & Co. manages this feat by lending each display its own quartz caliber. The five calibers are synchronized, guaranteeing precise timekeeping for all five time zones.
You can easily recognize older Five Time Zone models by their more playful dial designs. Their subdials are geometric shapes and often brightly colored. Most versions are stainless steel, though a few rare gold variants are also available. Finally, a majority of these watches come with diamonds. Prices depend on the exact edition and fall between 1,300 and 9,100 USD.
The Palatial Five Time Zone is the current edition of this watch. It uses the same technology as its sister models but has a much more reserved design. The black guilloché nickel dial adds a particularly classic touch. However, if you prefer the more playful feel of earlier editions but want a newer watch, you should consider one of the Pirate models. Each of these timepieces features a stylized skull and crossbones with an eyepatch.
The Palatial Five Time Zone comes with your choice of a polished or black PVD-coated case. Like most Jacob & Co. timepieces, the Palatial Five Time Zone is available with diamonds. Be sure to set aside around 5,500 USD for a simple model. More extravagant editions require investments of roughly 19,000 USD.
Ghost: A Modern, Pentagonal Design
The Ghost collection puts a modern spin on the Five Time Zone's original concept. These watches stand out thanks to their pentagonal cases with rounded corners. Jacob & Co. builds most of the cases out of carbon, often in bright colors or with a camouflage pattern. However, there are also diamond-studded high-end models in rose or white gold.
The Ghost displays the various times across five digital time displays, each with its own separate section. Like the Five Time Zone, every display has its own movement with a crown or push-piece, which you can use to switch between the times in 20 pre-set cities. Finally, you can set each display to the exact second using GPS or a USB connection.
Prices depend on the exact edition and range from 4,400 to 33,000 USD.
Epic: For Athletes and Globetrotters
The Jacob & Co. Epic collection has two parts: the sporty Epic X and the Epic SF24. The latter boasts a unique and eye-catching GMT display located in a tube-like structure on the case's otherwise round upper edge. Sapphire crystal on the front of the tube provides a view of the split-flap display within. Here, you can read the name of a city representing one of 24 time zones. Next to that, you'll find the current hour in that location. You can determine the minutes, as usual, using the local time display. A push-piece on the left side of the tube enables you to quickly switch to the next time zone.
The local time appears on a dial below the tube. The standard-edition Epic SF24 also fetures a small seconds at 9:30. On the Epic SF24 Tourbillon, this position is occupied by a flying tourbillon function, which also serves as a running seconds.
The titanium edition of the Epic SF24 demands about 47,000 USD. If you prefer the rose gold version, be sure to have around 65,000 USD on hand. Finally, the Epic SF24 with a tourbillon tops the list at roughly 236,000 USD.
Epic X
The Epic X is Jacob & Co.'s sports watch. The "X" in its name comes from the shape of the lugs and in-house caliber's bridges, which together form an "X." Two-hand watches in rose gold or titanium with a colorful coating feature intricate skeletonization, while the Epic X Tourbillon only has an open stripe running from 12 to 6 o'clock. This places the focus firmly on its namesake tourbillon at 6 o'clock.
Prices for a titanium Epic X range from 14,000 to 27,500 USD. You can find the Epic X Tourbillon on Chrono24 for between 58,000 and 110,000 USD. The Epic X Tourbillon Baguette with baguette-cut diamonds is especially elegant and sells for anywhere from 330,000 to 1.4 million USD.
Epic X Chronograph
Jacob & Co. also offers the Epic X as a chronograph. Even though these watches share the same basic design as the standard Epic X, they feel more masculine thanks to their large, angular push-pieces and additional crown at 10 o'clock. The series' top models include a line of Signature timepieces for Lionel Messi, Luis Figo, and UFC fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov. The editions dedicated to car manufacturer Bugatti and the United Arab Emirates are also worth taking a look at.
Once again, prices for an Epic X Chronograph very by model, ranging from 24,000 to 64,000 USD.
Twin Turbo: Fast & Furious
Jacob & Co. developed the Twin Turbo collection with gearheads in mind. The cases of these watches resemble the hoods of classic sports cars. What's more, the time display takes its inspiration from dashboards, and the crown is shaped like a car door handle.
The dial is split in two sections: The upper two thirds show the time, while two triple-axis tourbillons dominate the lower third.
However, the Twin Turbo is more than just a piece of eye candy – it also has a few auditory tricks up its sleeve. Jacob & Co. equips these watches with a decimal minute repeater. You can trigger the chiming system by operating the slider on the left-hand side of the case. This will cause the watch to relay the time acoustically broken down into hours, ten-minute increments, and minutes.
The Twin Turbo Furious takes things one step further with its monopusher chronograph. Its pusher also doubles as the crown. The power reserve display sits on the bottom edge of the dial and is labeled "Fuel." In terms of technology, the Twin Turbo Bugatti and Twin Turbo Fast & Furious are identical to this model. The former is the result of a partnership with the famed French car manufacturer and features the Bugatti logo on its dial. On the other hand, the Fast & Furious is dedicated to the ninth entry in the eponymous film franchise. Fittingly, this timepiece is limited to a run of 9 timepieces.
Prices for a Twin Turbo begin around 530,000 USD. This will get you a two-hand model with a rose gold case. The Twin Turbo Furious in black-coated titanium or a similar Bugatti model will set you back an additional 118,000 USD. Gemstone-studded editions like the Twin Turbo Furious Bugatti Le Montre Noire sit at the top of the price range. This particular model boasts a black gold case entirely covered in natural black sapphires. You can call one of these stunning masterpieces your own for between 1.15 and 1.55 million USD.
Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon: A Watch for a Legendary Automobile
Jacob & Co.'s partnership with Bugatti also led to the creation of the Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon in spring 2020. This model pays tribute to the Chiron sports car, and its case shape takes inspiration from the Chiron's hood. You can also recognize the automobile's grille. The watch's fully skeletonized movement features a tourbillon at a 30° angle and comes with four springs based on the Chiron's shock absorbers. However, this timepiece's true highlight is its moving sapphire engine block. Upon activating one of the three crowns on the bottom of the watch, the engine's 16 cylinders begin to move – just like in the real Bugatti.
The Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon is available in rose gold, titanium, or sapphire crystal. Prices for this watch range from 318,000 to 1.55 million USD on Chrono24.
Opera: A Musical Watch for Movie Buffs
If "Scarface" and "The Godfather" are among your favorite movies, you should consider one of the watches in the Opera collection. In addition to their triple-axis tourbillons, these watches boast small music boxes that can play the main theme from the respective film. The music box's barrels sit at 3 and 9 o'clock, the tourbillon at 6, and the time display at 12. Other notable details include a violin-shaped crank, a plaque with the corresponding movie's logo, and a figurine in the middle of the dial. The Opera Godfather features a figurine of Don Corleone, while the Opera Scarface comes with the famous "The world is yours" globe from Tony Montana's mansion.
If you would like to purchase one of these timepieces, you should be prepared to spend between 318,000 and 580,000 USD
Jacob & Co.: Jeweler to the Stars
Jacob & Co.'s history begins in 1986, when Jacob Arabo (Yakov Arabov), originally from Tashkent, Uzbekistan, became a self-employed jeweler in New York City. Arabo had immigrated to the United States with his parents in the early 1980s and soon began an apprenticeship as a watchmaker before completing his studies in jewelry making. His creations quickly found an audience, especially among big names on the hip-hop scene. His early clientele included Faith Evans and her husband, the Notorious B.I.G. Later on, Jay-Z and Kanye West would turn to Arabo, a.k.a. "Jacob the Jeweler" and the "King of Bling," for their jewelry needs.
In 2002, Arabo achieved his long-held dream of bringing a watch to market. Just like his jewelry, the Five Time Zones almost immediately became a favorite accessory of the rich and famous. In fact, none other than Naomi Campbell wore this timepiece on the cover of Vogue. Riding the wave of this success, Arabo teamed up with various independent Swiss watch movement developers, such as BNB Concept, and design studios like Atelier 7h38. These partnerships continue to turn out extraordinary timepieces to this day, including the Epic SF24, Twin Turbo, and Astronomia.
However, Arabo is no stranger to tough times. In 2008, he was sentenced to two years in prison for tax evasion and laundering money for the Black Mafia Family (BMF).