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Jacob & Co.: A Vision Born From Passion And Necessity
Jacob Arabo's journey into the world of high jewellery and watchmaking began in 1986. Immigrating to the United States from the former USSR with his family, Arabo’s passion for design emerged early on, influenced by the women in his life and his natural flair for creating beauty. Initially, he worked as an apprentice in a local watchmaking workshop, where he gained a deep appreciation for the complexity of timepieces. His fascination with watches intensified when, at the age of 13, he received a world timer as a gift from his father. This sparked a desire to craft timepieces that would not only serve as functional instruments but also as expressions of art.
Though his initial foray into jewellery led to widespread recognition, it was only in the early 2000s that Jacob & Co. truly began to establish themselves as a serious player in the watchmaking world. The brand’s breakthrough came with the Five Timezone watch, an innovative design that allowed wearers to track five different time zones simultaneously. This watch was not only practical but also brought a sense of novelty to the industry. The public’s interest was further piqued when supermodel Naomi Campbell was photographed wearing one, cementing Jacob & Co.'s place in the world of luxury timepieces.
Redefining High Horology With Groundbreaking Designs
Undeterred by the initial cold reception from Swiss watchmakers, Jacob & Co. launched a series of unique and highly complex timepieces that would forever change the landscape of luxury watches. In 2007, Jacob & Co. unveiled the Quenttin, a world-first vertical tourbillon with a 31-day power reserve. Named after the famed film director Quentin Tarantino, the Quenttin set a new benchmark in horological innovation. The brand’s commitment to creating unprecedented movements did not stop there. Over the years, Jacob & Co. have produced some of the most intricate and visually striking watches ever conceived, such as the Astronomia collection, which brought the concept of a "galaxy on the wrist" to life. Its transparent sapphire case provides a panoramic view of a miniature cosmic universe. A vibrant Jacob-cut sun sits atop a rotating satellite, accompanied by gemstones representing planets, including aventurine stone, lapis, and red jasper.
Gemstone Grandeur: Jacob & Co.'s Dazzling Fusion Of Jewellery And Horology
While Jacob & Co. are best known for their daring and innovative designs, the brand’s watches are also a testament to exceptional craftsmanship. Each timepiece is meticulously crafted, with high-end materials such as titanium, platinum, and diamonds with gemological mastery. This ensures that each watch not only functions flawlessly but is also a work of art in its own right. The Billionaire collection, born from Jacob Arabo’s profound love for diamonds, epitomises opulence. First launched in 2016, the Billionaire skeleton tourbillon dazzled with its unprecedented design and large diamonds. The Billionaire III, featuring 656 emerald-cut diamonds totalling 129 carats, sets new standards in exclusivity and craftsmanship with a limited run of 18 pieces.
Equally extravagant, the Casino Tourbillon, inspired by the golden age of casinos in Monte Carlo, Macao, and Las Vegas, blends flamboyance with complexity. Its black onyx dial features kite-cut hour markers, framed by a fully functional roulette game. The domed sapphire crystal and signature crown-less design complete its refined allure. The Caviar Tourbillon showcases Jacob & Co.'s expertise in haute joaillerie. Featuring 424 baguette-cut gems in an invisible setting, the smooth gem-encrusted surface mimics the texture of caviar. With its 47mm case and radiant arrangements of diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, and rubies, this timepiece is a dazzling celebration of luxury. The Mystery Tourbillon redefines horological innovation with its dual tourbillons, which spin on three axes in a 360° motion. Inspired by 19th-century mystery clocks, the watch combines intricate engineering with breathtaking gem settings, embodying Jacob & Co.'s dedication to high jewellery and high watchmaking.
Horological Wonders For Her
In 2017, Jacob & Co. introduced the Brilliant Collection, a line exclusively dedicated to women, redefining elegance in horology. This collection introduced a lug-free case design, seamlessly integrating the strap into its round silhouette. The Brilliant Baguette epitomises the art of gem-setting, featuring invisible-set rainbow-hued gems that create a mesmerising cascade of colours. For those who appreciate intrigue, the Brilliant Mystery captivates with its floating black triangles that mysteriously indicate the time, framed by a radiant array of gems.
Pushing the boundaries of haute horology and jewellery craftsmanship, the Brilliant Flying Tourbillon dazzles with a fully gem-covered surface, combining intricate watchmaking with extraordinary artistry. Complementing this collection is the Fleurs de Jardin, a true botanical marvel. With sapphire petals and a butterfly-shaped tourbillon carriage, it evokes the delicate beauty of a blooming garden, encased in a transparent sapphire "greenhouse." These timepieces highlight Jacob & Co.’s commitment to creating exceptional watches that celebrate femininity with innovation and artistry.
Jacob & Co.’s Artful Approach To Functional Horology
Jacob & Co. have consistently redefined functional horology with an artistic flair, crafting timepieces that merge technical brilliance with elevated design. Palatial Big Date with its 42mm case features a gracefully curved lug design. Adding to its allure, the collection showcases dials crafted from exquisite hard stones like blue lapis lazuli, green malachite, and black onyx. The watch balances elegance and functionality with a large date window and a power reserve indicator positioned symmetrically at six o'clock., each radiating natural sophistication.
Rooted in the historical function of regulators in 19th-century workshops, Astronomia Regulator separates time indications into distinct displays for hours, minutes, and seconds. Enhanced by large sapphire panes, houses a groundbreaking 3D rotating movement that completes a full turn in 60 seconds. The Epic X series, with its signature skeletonised design and bold architectural elements, showcases the brand's ability to innovate within the realm of classic watchmaking. Each creation, whether it’s the meticulously detailed Epic X Bridges or the universally wearable Epic X Chrono 44MM, captures the essence of modern sophistication while paying homage to traditional craftsmanship.
Collaborations With Iconic Partners
Jacob & Co.'s success can be attributed not only to their innovative designs but also to their strategic collaborations with like-minded brands and high-profile personalities. In 2019, Bugatti Automobiles and Jacob & Co. partnered to create hypercar-inspired timepieces exemplifying extreme luxury, innovation, and craftsmanship. The Bugatti Tourbillon, a horological twin to Bugatti’s hypersports car, features groundbreaking complications and a design mirroring Bugatti’s engineering brilliance. This partnership with Bugatti also led to creations like the Epic X Chrono Bugatti, commemorating Bugatti’s 110th anniversary, and the Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon, the first watch to incorporate a W16 engine—a true marvel of design and mechanics.
Beyond the world of automobiles, Jacob & Co. have also worked with film studios like Paramount Pictures and Universal Pictures. The Opera Godfather timepiece, a limited-edition model that features a minute repeater playing the iconic music from the Godfather movie, is a perfect example of the brand’s ability to blend pop culture with horological artistry. Adding to this, their collaboration with Warner Bros and DC Comics, they crafted the Gotham City Batman timepiece. Reflecting the duality of Bruce Wayne and the Dark Knight, the watch comes in black DLC titanium and rose gold. Each detail pays homage to Batman’s world, from the Batmobile-inspired crown to the Bat-Signal-shaped dial. These collaborations underscore Jacob & Co.’s mastery in merging pop culture with luxury watchmaking, appealing to a global audience.