INTRODUCING: The Jacob & Co Astronomia Regulateur
Jacob & Co has become quite the brand for major collectors these days. You’ve seen them on the wrists of the likes of Connor McGregor, Lionel Messi, the neck of Rihanna, and all over the red carpet. In fact, Jacob has been the go-to jeweler for celebrities across the board. One of the brand’s most popular models is their Astronomia - A tourbillon movement that actually spins on an access giving the appearance that it’s floating inside the case. Not only is it visually striking, it’s a technical marvel. This year, the brand has launched an all new take on the Astronomia - This time with a new complication - A Regulator.
The basics:
BRAND: Jacob & Co.
Model: Astronomia Regulateur
Case Material: Rose Gold
Case Size: 43mm x 18mm
Water Resistance: 30m
Movement: JCAM56
Movement Specs: Power reserve of 48 hours, 3-Hz
Strap Options: Leather Strap
The Juice:
A regulator is a unique way of telling the time. Instead of utilizing an hour, minute, and seconds hand in the center of the dial, they are split up into two or three different subdials. Meaning one of the subdials tells the hour, the other tells the minute. So, if there wasn’t already an argument to be made that the Astronomia movement is a perfect jump-off point for a Regulator dial, I’m making it now. The Astronomia Regulateur is a perfect symmetry between the brand’s hyper-complicated watchmaking prowess, and the simplicity of splitting out the indicators.
To accomplish this was quite a feat - And to my knowledge, it’s a first in the entire industry. The vertical movement spins on it’s axis, with the movement making an entire rotation every 60 seconds.
“But how do you read the time then?”
This is the tricky part, the subdials, and the dial plate (that also acts as a seconds hand) spin counterclockwise using a differential module, keeping everything straight and easy to read. It’s simple, but it’s actually quite complicated.
Inside the Astronomia Regulateur is the Jacob & Co Caliber JCAM56 - A whopping 522-component movement with a tourbillon. It’s a wonder that these components working together still allow the watch to feature a 48-hour power reserve. And of course, the brand is proud of that as the case itself is mostly large panels of sapphire to put the JCAM56 movement on full display. Even the laser blue dial plate and subdials are transparent to allow as much access to the movement’s aesthetic as possible.
Of course, with the neon shade of blue front and center, the watch is tied together with rose gold. The aesthetic is striking and quite easy to look at. Surprisingly, with all the openwork, and all the complexity of the movement, the Astronomia Regulateur is superbly legible.
When it comes to high horology, it’s hard to have that conversation without including Jacob & Co. The brand has been at the precipus of progress in the more Haute-y spaces for decades - And the Astronomia Regulateur is no exception to that achievement. Personally, I’ve always admired Jacob & Co for making really cool concepts come to like, and still practically tell the time. It’s an accomplishment that not many brands see come to fruition, but it’s continuously realized at Jacob & Co.
How much is the Jacob & Co Astronomia Regulateur?
The watch is limited to 250 pieces and will come with a price tag of $280,000 USD.
Read more about the watch on the brands website here.