By Anita Khatri
In the realm of haute horology, few names resonate with the same level of opulence as Jacob & Co. Founded in 1986 by visionary jeweller Jacob Arabo, the brand began as a creator of fine jewellery before making its foray into luxury watchmaking. Jacob Arabo, originally Yakov Arabov, immigrated to the United States and quickly earned a reputation for crafting jewellery that adorned A-list celebrities and royalty. He initially focused on designing high-end jewellery pieces that featured intricate craftsmanship with bold designs. His clientele soon expanded to include Hollywood stars, hip-hop artists, and elite business figures, cementing his status as a sought-after jeweller.
Arabo’s passion for watches was deeply personal. At 13, his father, Nison Arabov, gifted him a Wakmann dual time zone watch—the gesture that ignited his fascination with horology. This childhood gift remained an inspiration throughout his journey, culminating decades later in the creation of The World Is Yours Dual Time Zone watch. This timepiece pays homage to that pivotal moment, blending nostalgia with innovation. During the late 1990s, Arabo realised the opportunity to blend his expertise in jewellery with horology, creating timepieces that were as much about mechanical excellence as they were about visual spectacle. The transition from jewellery to watchmaking was not immediate; it involved years of research, collaborating wisely with Swiss artisans, and the development of a distinct identity that would later define Jacob & Co. as an exclusive watchmaking powerhouse.
In 2002, after years of meticulous planning and innovation, Jacob & Co. introduced its first timepiece—the Five Time Zone watch. This bold and unconventional design, featuring five separate dials displaying different time zones, became an instant hit among jet-setting celebrities and entrepreneurs. The success of this model laid the foundation for Jacob & Co.’s expansion into the world of haute horology, setting the stage for even more ambitious creations. The brand’s headquarters remain in New York City, with an additional stronghold in Geneva, Switzerland—an expansion that underscores its commitment to fine watchmaking. Jacob Arabo remains at the helm of the brand, alongside his son, Benjamin Arabov, who took over as CEO in 2021 to usher in the new digital era.
Jacob & Co. is renowned for designing watches that go beyond conventional mechanics. The collections range from the dazzling Five Time Zone series, designed for global travellers, to the astronomically inspired Astronomia collection, which showcases unparalleled mechanical mastery. Each watch is a statement piece, sought after by business magnates, athletes, musicians, and Hollywood’s most elite. Post Astronomia, there are many iconic pieces introduced from Quenttin to Twin Turbo furious and then the most spoken about Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon. One cannot move forward without describing the intricate details of this masterpiece. At its core, the watch houses a miniature replica of the Bugatti Chiron’s W16 engine, which comes to life at the push of a button. The 16-cylinder piston animation is mesmerising, creating a visual and kinetic experience never seen before in watchmaking. The movement is placed within a four-spring suspension system, mimicking the engine mounting of the actual Bugatti Chiron. This design allows the entire movement to “float,” adding to the watch’s automotive-inspired aesthetics. A 30-degree inclined flying tourbillon ensures accurate timekeeping while reinforcing the watch’s futuristic and dynamic design. Available in limited editions, the watch comes in various materials like rose gold, sapphire, and even diamond-encrusted versions, making each model a unique collector’s piece. The Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon is not just a tribute to the hypercar; it is an engineering feat that blends the worlds of haute horology and automotive excellence, capturing the thrill of the Chiron in an ultra-luxurious wristwatch.
Iconic Timepieces Through the Years (LAYOUT THIS IN A BOX)
- 2002: Five Time Zone – A striking, quartz-powered watch featuring multiple time zones, favoured by celebrities like Drake.
- 2007: Quenttin – The world’s first watch with a vertical tourbillon and an extraordinary 31-day power reserve.
- 2013: Epic SF24 – Introduced a patented Split-Flap world time zone display, an aviation-inspired marvel.
- 2014: Astronomia Tourbillon – A masterpiece with a four-arm vertical movement, embodying celestial elegance.
- 2016: Twin Turbo – A fusion of twin triple-axis tourbillons and a minute repeater.
- 2018: Twin Turbo Furious – Elevated the Twin Turbo concept with a decimal minute repeater and monopusher chronograph.
- 2019: Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon – A groundbreaking collaboration with Bugatti, replicating the motion of the Chiron’s W16 engine.
The Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon is as exclusive in price as it is in design, with models starting at around $2,80,000 and reaching well over $1.5 million, depending on the material and customisations involved.
Affordability? Well… For most, that price tag might mean choosing between a dream home, a fleet of luxury cars, or a single watch—but for the ultra-elite, it’s just another statement piece to match their actual Bugatti Chiron parked in the garage. Owning a Watch, like this one, would mean that telling the time is secondary; flexing mechanical artistry is the actual goal with an accomplishment.
Staying true to its ethos of artistic excellence, Jacob & Co. Recently unveiled the Epic X Manual Winding Watch – Wonders of India (EX110.20.AA.AR.ABRUA) in November 2024. This timepiece is a tribute to India’s rich heritage, encapsulating cultural grandeur with breathtaking craftsmanship. Featuring an intricate skeletonised movement encased in a bold design, the watch integrates depictions of Indian deities, symbolising divine power and the nation’s deep-rooted mythology. By incorporating these sacred elements, Jacob & Co. has demonstrated its strategic vision of recognising India as a key market, ensuring that its rich cultural essence is now woven into a high-end luxury timepiece.
Jacob & Co. has never been a brand that follows trends—it creates them. Unlike traditional watchmakers bound by heritage and convention, Jacob & Co. thrives on fearless innovation, transforming timepieces into mechanical spectacles that captivate both collectors and connoisseurs alike. Each creation is more than a watch; it is a fusion of art, engineering, and extravagance, designed to challenge the limits of what haute horology can achieve.
As the brand looks ahead, its commitment to groundbreaking complications, unconventional materials, and avant-garde aesthetics ensures it will remain a dominant force in the luxury watch industry. Whether through mesmerising tourbillons that defy gravity, celestial-inspired movements, or timepieces that replicate the very essence of a hypercar engine, Jacob & Co. will continue to blur the line between watchmaking and pure mechanical artistry.
With cutting-edge technology, bold new collaborations, and an ever-expanding vision, Jacob & Co. is set to define the next era of luxury horology. For those who see watches as more than instruments of time—who seek a statement of power, ambition, and exclusivity—Jacob & Co. will remain not just a brand, but a legacy in perpetual motion.