Jacob & Co History: From New York Jeweler to Creator of Legendary Grand Complication Automaton Watches

Known widely as Jacob and Co, Jacob & Co occupies a uniquely dramatic position within modern haute horlogerie. Celebrated for boundary-breaking mechanics, sculptural aesthetics and theatrical kinetic displays, the Geneva independent manufacture built its legacy by reimagining what a grand complication automaton watch could be. Unlike traditional Swiss watch brands with centuries of heritage, Jacob & Co’s story began in New York, shaped by founder Jacob Arabo’s fearless creative vision that would later birth some of the most recognizable ultra-luxury timepieces ever made.

The Early Roots: New York Diamond District (1986 – 2000)

Jacob Arabo founded Jacob & Co replica in 1986 at age 21, operating a small boutique inside Manhattan’s famous Diamond District. Initially focused on avant-garde high jewelry, he quickly earned fame as “Jacob the Jeweler”, crafting bold diamond pieces for A-list musicians, athletes and celebrities. While jewelry brought early commercial success, Arabo held a long-lasting ambition: building original high-end mechanical watches.

The brand took its first step into watchmaking in 2001 with the Five Time Zone. This colourful, customizable sports watch turned heads worldwide and marked Jacob and Co’s official entry into horology. It proved the brand could translate its unapologetically bold design language from jewelry onto the wrist, laying groundwork for future complicated creations. A pivotal milestone followed in 2006 with the release of the Quenttin, equipped with a vertical tourbillon and an industry-leading 31-day power reserve, demonstrating Jacob & Co’s capability to develop pioneering high-complication movements.

Moving Horology Operations to Geneva: Birth of Automaton Expertise

During the 2000s, Jacob & Co shifted core watch development to Geneva, blending American creative freedom with precision Swiss watchmaking engineering. The brand gradually narrowed its creative focus toward three-dimensional mechanics and interactive animated displays. This strategic direction established its speciality: engineering wearable kinetic sculptures classified as a grand complication automaton watch. While most watchmakers prioritised subtle precision, Jacob and Co set out to craft timepieces that deliver visual storytelling alongside chronometric performance.

Global Breakthrough: The Astronomia replica Watch Changes Haute Horlogerie Forever

2014 stands as the turning point for Jacob & Co with the launch of the iconic Astronomia watch. Widely regarded as the brand’s magnum opus, this celestial masterpiece redefined expectations for modern grand complications. Encased beneath a domed sapphire crystal, a cruciform carrier completes a full 20-minute orbital rotation, carrying four vital elements: a triple-axis flying tourbillon, hand-finished miniature Earth sphere, patented Jacob-cut spherical diamond moon, and a self-leveling time dial. Every rotating component forms a living miniature planetary system on the wrist.

The Astronomia watch immediately cemented Jacob and Co as the leader of artistic animated watchmaking. Multiple iterations expanded the lineup, including Astronomia Solar Zodiac, playable Astronomia Casino roulette variant, and the cutting-edge four-axis Astronomia Revolution. For collectors, the Astronomia series represents the purest expression of Jacob & Co’s talent for building dreamlike mechanical art.

Hypercar Legend: Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon Joins The Flagship Lineup

In 2019, Jacob & Co announced a landmark partnership with Bugatti Automobiles, yielding one of the most celebrated automotive horology icons: the Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon. This defining grand complication automaton watch housed a fully functional scaled-down W16 engine inside its tonneau case. Activate the dedicated pusher, and 16 micro pistons pump rhythmically while crankshaft and twin turbochargers spin, recreating the heartbeat of Bugatti’s legendary hypercar.

Engineered on Caliber JCAM37 with 578 individual components, the model featured a 30° inclined flying tourbillon plus separated power reserves: animation and timekeeping operate independently so owners can enjoy the engine display without draining watch runtime. Available in titanium, precious gold and ultra-desirable monoblock sapphire crystal editions, the Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon introduced Jacob & Co to a massive community of hypercar collectors and remains the most famous automotive automaton watch ever created.

Expanding Automaton Portfolio & Modern Legacy

Between the Astronomia watch and Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon, Jacob and Co continuously broadened its automaton catalogue. Standout releases include the Oil Pump fake watch with endlessly oscillating mechanical oil derrick, and the emotionally resonant Opera Godfather, merging miniature music box functions with automaton scenes. Every model follows the same brand ethos: transform complex micro-mechanics into immersive visual drama.

Today, Jacob & Co remains independently operated, continuing to specialise in limited-edition grand complication automaton watch creations. It deliberately avoids mainstream dress watch designs, catering to collectors searching for statement pieces that spark conversation. Unlike heritage manufactures constrained by historic templates, Jacob & Co consistently invents entirely new movement architectures and animated concepts.

Closing Thoughts

The history of Jacob & Co is a journey of continuous reinvention: from New York celebrity jeweler to Geneva-based pioneer of kinetic haute horlogerie. Its greatest legacy lies in proving watches can be more than timekeeping devices. Through landmarks including the revolutionary Astronomia watch and genre-defining Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon, Jacob and Co secured an irreplaceable niche within ultra-luxury watch collecting. For enthusiasts drawn to bold engineering, mechanical theatre and unrestrained creativity, Jacob & Co stays the benchmark for contemporary automaton grand complications. shopping replica watches