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The Remarkable Evolution of Jacob & Co.

In the early 2000s, Jacob & Co. captured the attention of the affluent and celebrities with its standout timepiece known as the "Five Time Zone" watch. It came from humble beginnings, starting at a small booth of 6x6 feet in New York and quickly gaining global recognition as a brand that seamlessly blended fashion and jewelry into a watchmaking experience. At the helm of it all was founder Jacob Arabo, who was already envisioning the next chapter early on in the company’s success.

"Our goal is not just to create beautiful watches but to produce timepieces that are profoundly remarkable."

This belief inspired Jacob & Co. to embark on a completely new journey, captivating people not only with beauty but also with the complexity and craftsmanship of their timepieces.

The Birth of a New Era: The First Complicated Watch

In 2006, Jacob & Co. introduced its first tourbillon model, the "Quintin.” It featured a ground-breaking vertical movement with a 31-day power reserve, utilizing a unique arrangement of seven barrels. The elongated cylindrical case coupled with sapphire crystal provided a striking visual representation of the intricate inner workings.

Interestingly, at the time of its creation, the watch lacked a name. A curious customer at the boutique engaged Arabo in a playful conversation where he jested, "If you pay a deposit, I’ll give it your name." Accepting this offer, the watch became known as the "Quintin." The story took an even bigger turn when film director Quentin Tarantino adorned the watch on the cover of Vogue, generating considerable buzz. The model, priced starting at $360,000, marked a pivotal point in Arabo’s craftsmanship journey and solidified Jacob & Co.'s entry into the realm of high-end watchmaking.

Elevating Complexity to Art

Following the Quintin, Jacob & Co. continued to expand its collection centered around the tourbillon. Their creations encompassed:

• - A multidimensional tourbillon rotating on multiple axes
• - Sapphira Crystal cases providing 360-degree visibility
• - Movements integrated with minute repeaters and moving objects
• - Reflections of cultural inspirations from cinema, music, and space.

Jacob & Co.’s commitment to evolving from mere precision into storytelling through timepieces cultivated a signature style, especially embodied in the release of the "Astronomia" in 2014.

Challenging Traditional Norms with Astronomia

The 2014 release of the Astronomia redefined the very boundaries of high-end watches by marrying intricate mechanics with artistic expression. The pièce de résistance of the Astronomia is its structure, wherein the entire movement completes a rotation every 20 minutes while simultaneously having four components that both rotate and revolve individually, including:

• - A flying tourbillon
• - A rotating time display mechanism
• - A handcrafted globe made of magnesium
• - A diamond with Jacob Cut, featuring 288 facets (patented).

This remarkable movement gives the sensation of having a miniature universe on your wrist, demonstrating a captivating harmony of mechanics and art on full display.

Unlike many complex mechanisms that often hide within a watch's body, the Astronomia showcases its beauty openly, transforming into a piece of mechanical artistry that stirs emotions rather than merely telling time. This model elevated watches from just instruments for tracking time to masterpieces that invoke feelings and inspire awe, thus attracting a new generation of clientele across the realms of art, fashion, and technology—a truly innovative mind in the watchmaking universe.

The Astronomia series has since continued to thrive, evolving into various forms such as the "Astronomia Solar" and "Astronomia Revolution." The collection's prominence reached new heights when it gained recognition during a civilian spaceflight in 2022, marking its place as the world's first three-axis tourbillon watch to venture into space. Even now, the Astronomia continues to stand as a symbol of innovation, reaching beyond terrestrial boundaries to embrace the cosmos.

A Symphony of Technology, Design, and Narrative

Each complex mechanism designed by Jacob & Co. tells its own story—reflections of innovation and the emotional power tied to each model. The philosophy of Arabo contributes to every creation by adding beauty to mechanical precision, romanticism to structural design, and whimsy when needed.

In 2023 and beyond, Jacob & Co. has firmly established its brand belief: "We make the impossible possible." Holding tight to its roots as a jeweler while ascending to an unparalleled place in the world of complicated movements, Jacob & Co. has positioned itself as a leading figure in pioneering high-complication watches that defy convention.

The Next Chapter

As we look toward the future, be sure to check back for the upcoming installment of our series, "JACOB & CO. STORIES, Vol. 4: The Current State of the Brand." The journey of Jacob & Co. continues to unfold, revealing its rich past and its ambitious present and future.