Wristwatch Journal
One might have thought that the precision of Haute Horlogerie could never harmonize with the uncertainty of games of chance? Well, Jacob & Co. merges these two worlds into one timepiece of unexpected complexity. One of its takes on the Astronomia is fitted a fully-operational miniature roulette; at a press of a button, the Astronomia Casino shows its playful side. And the rest remains a demonstration of watchmaking extravaganza.
Jacob & Co. has managed to create some of the craziest and most complicated watches of the past years. If the brand has presented more than one wild iteration of their Astronomia, the Casino is certainly among the most unexpected. Like its siblings, this beast of a watch stands out with an impressive vertical movement with planetary indications in constant motion.
Additionally, it is fitted with a miniature, functional roulette wheel triggered by a pusher at 7 o’clock position. Underneath the watch’s four satellite arms, the roulette slots are rendered in black, red and green while its centre is made of aventurine. The miniature roulette ball is fashioned out of white ceramic.
The movement that breathes life to this fun and impressive upmarket toy has nothing to do with chance, though. The vertical Calibre Jacob & Co. JCAM29A comprises 395 parts and is regulated by a triple-axis tourbillon. The tourbillon cage rotates on a first axis in 60 seconds and on a second axis in 2.5 minutes. In addition, the movement rotates on itself in 10 minutes. The three other arms of the movement carry the time display, a 288-facet diamond rotating on itself in 60 seconds and magnesium blue lacquered globe, also rotating on itself in 60 seconds. Last, a differential gear system allows the time display to maintain the 12/6 o’clock position upright, regardless of its position around the dial.
This theatrical mechanical animation is presented under an impressive oversized sapphire dome offering changing perspectives from different angles. On the wrist, the pink gold case of the Astronomia Casino is simply massive, at 47mm x 27.9mm. But naturally, this spectacular, over-the-top watch is not meant to go unnoticed… On the contrary, Jacob & Co. watches are clearly designed for the ultra-wealthy, unafraid to show off their toys. Rapper Drake and MMA champion Connor McGregor are reportedly two famous owners of the Astronomia Casino.
Turning the watch over, and like for all Astronomia watches, two symmetrical flip-up keys sit flush with the pink gold caseback. One is used to wind the movement and the other to set the time. Last, the watch is worn on an alligator strap secured to the wrist by a 18k pink gold folding buckle.
Availability & Price
The Jacob & Co. Astronomia Casino is available in a limited edition of 88 pieces. Price is set at USD 620,000. For more information, please visit www.jacobandco.com.
Technical specifications – Jacob & Co. Astronomia Casino
Case:
47mm diameter x 27.9mm height – 18K pink gold case, polished – domed sapphire crystal with A/R coating, front and casebands – 30m water-resistant
Movement:
Calibre JCAM29A – hand-wound – 41.40mm x 20.50mm – 21,600vph (3Hz) – 60h power reserve – 42 jewels – 395 parts – hours, minute, triple axis tourbillon – Vertical Movement with 4 Arms: 1 Carat Exclusive Jacob cut diamond with 288 facets, rotating on itself in 60 sec – magnesium blue lacquered globe, rotating on itself in 60 sec – hours and minutes dial – triple axis tourbillon, 1st axis rotation in 60 seconds, 2nd axis in 2.5 minutes and 3rd axis in 10min (central axis) – roulette animation on demand
Strap:
Black alligator strap with 18k pink gold folding buckle
Reference:
AT160.40.AA.AA.A
Availability:
limited edition of 88 pieces
