The Jacob and Co Success Story is a journey of pure ambition and luxury.
The story of Jacob & Co. is not just about watches; it is a story of a relentless pursuit of the “impossible.” In an industry where heritage is often measured by centuries, Jacob Arabo managed to disrupt the status quo in just a few decades, moving from a small jewelry booth in New York to the absolute pinnacle of Swiss watchmaking.
The Genesis: A Vision Born in New York
Jacob Arabo’s journey is the ultimate realization of the American Dream. Born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Jacob immigrated to New York City in 1979. Even as a teenager, he showed a mechanical curiosity and an eye for aesthetics.
At just 16, he began an apprenticeship in jewelry making. While his peers were in high school, Jacob was mastering the delicate art of setting stones and shaping precious metals. By 1986, at the age of 21, he founded Jacob & Co. in New York’s Diamond District.
In those early days, Jacob wasn’t making million-dollar watches. He was building a reputation for “oversized” and “bold” jewelry that the traditional European houses refused to make. This caught the eye of the rising hip-hop elite. When stars like The Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, and Pharrell Williams began wearing his pieces, Jacob became a global sensation. He wasn’t just a jeweler; he was a cultural architect who defined the “Bling” era of the 1990s.
The Evolution: Conquering Switzerland
Most jewelers would have been satisfied with that level of fame, but Jacob Arabo had his sights set on Geneva. He wanted to prove that he could master the “Grand Complication”—the most difficult level of mechanical watchmaking.
In 2002, he launched the Five Time Zone watch. It was a massive success, worn by everyone from David Beckham to Naomi Campbell. But the real “Makam” (status) shift occurred when he moved into the world of Celestial and Kinetic art. He began working with the world’s most elite Swiss movement designers to create watches that didn’t just tell time—they told a story.
Today, Jacob & Co. is a rare “Independent” brand. In a world where most brands are owned by massive corporations (like LVMH or Richemont), Jacob remains the owner and creative director, allowing him to take risks that would terrify any other CEO.
The “Wrist-Mounted Theater”: Iconic Collections
What truly sets the company apart is the complexity of their movements. They don’t just use standard gears; they use sapphire, titanium, and 3D kinetic sculptures.
- The Astronomia Series: This is the brand’s masterpiece. The watch features a four-arm movement that rotates constantly. One arm carries a triple-axis tourbillon, another a hand-painted globe, a third a rotating 1-carat diamond, and the fourth the time display. It is designed to mimic the movement of the stars.
- The Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon: Born from a partnership with the supercar giant, this watch contains a functional miniature W16 engine. When activated, the crankshaft turns and the 16 pistons pump up and down inside a sapphire block, just like the real car.
- The Godfather & Scarface Watches: Combining high-end music boxes with watchmaking, these pieces play the iconic movie themes while the entire dial rotates.
Pricing and Exclusivity: The Billion-Dollar Club
Jacob & Co. watches are among the most expensive objects on Earth. Their entry-level pieces start at around $10,000, but their “High Jewelry” timepieces quickly climb into the millions.
- The Astronomia Solar: Often retails between $300,000 and $1,000,000 depending on the gemstones.
- The Twin Turbo Furious: A mechanical marvel that costs roughly $580,000.
- The Billionaire Series: This collection represents the peak of luxury. The original Billionaire watch, encrusted with 260 carats of emerald-cut diamonds, was famously purchased by Floyd Mayweather for $18 Million.
The Record Breaker: The Billionaire Timeless Treasure
Currently, the “king” of their catalog is the Billionaire Timeless Treasure. This watch is valued at a staggering $20,000,000 (20 Million Dollars). It features 216 carats of rare Fancy Yellow Diamonds. Finding enough matching yellow diamonds took over three years of searching the globe, making it one of the most difficult-to-produce watches in human history.
Today’s “Makam”: Where Does Jacob Stand Now?
Today, Jacob Arabo sits at the very top of the luxury pyramid. He has successfully bridged the gap between street culture and high-society elegance.
- Global Presence: With boutiques in the most prestigious locations like the Burj Al Arab in Dubai, New Bond Street in London, and the Ginza district in Tokyo, his reach is truly global.
- A Symbol of Ambition: The brand has become the ultimate “trophy” for the world’s most successful people—from Cristiano Ronaldo to Lionel Messi.
Jacob Arabo started as an immigrant with a dream and a set of tools; today, he is the man who made the world’s most conservative industry look at his wrist in awe. He didn’t just build a company; he built a legacy of “The Art of the Impossible.”