Within the higher echelons of haute horlogerie, many designs are as a lot works of miniature sculpture as they’re purposeful timepieces. Maybe no different model exemplifies this extravagant three-dimensional design philosophy extra totally than Jacob & Co., particularly by way of its opulent Astronomia sequence. The Astronomia has included every little thing from multi-axis tourbillons to stylized orreries over time, and for its newest exploration of the idea Jacob & Co. provides a considerably extra acquainted complication – a world timer, together with an intricate carillon chime minute repeater. The brand new restricted version Jacob & Co. Astronomia Maestro Worldtime presents one of many model’s most spectacular visible and auditory ideas thus far, additional evolving the road with new strategies and complex new finishes.
Like earlier fashions within the sequence, the 18K rose gold skeleton case of the Jacob & Co. Astronomia Maestro Worldtime is designed to showcase as a lot of the intricate workings of the motion as doable. To this finish, the large 50mm-wide, 26mm-thick body is laid out primarily as a cylindrical sapphire field with a gold structural chassis. Whereas the proportions and supplies at play make the case a visible spectacle of its personal, the visible focus is saved squarely on the motion and dial in preliminary photos. Regardless of the hefty proportions, the precise traces of the case are easy and elemental, with clear vertical case sides and sharply sloping curved skeleton lugs. To take care of this clear high-visibility look, the Astronomia doesn’t have a conventional crown, with winding and setting capabilities moved to the strong caseback. Jacob & Co. charges the Astronomia Maestro Worldtime for a dismal 10 meters of water resistance, however given the crystal field development and delicate rose gold chassis, that is to be anticipated.
Strictly talking, the skeleton dial of the Jacob & Co. Astronomia Maestro Worldtime takes up solely a small portion of the visible area beneath the domed sapphire crystal. The place earlier generations of the Astronomia positioned the principle timekeeping dial on one of many motion’s signature stacked orbiting arms, right here the dial is entrance and middle on the high of the central stack for simpler studying. By way of styling, this domed skeleton dial is an intriguing mixture of classical and futuristic cues in photos, contrasting conventional blued blunted alpha palms and an identical engraved chemin-de-fer minutes monitor with engraved Arabic numerals on blocky utilized blued indices, and an intricate enameled globe motif that emphasizes the domed type of the design. Different Astronomia staples return right here for the revolving complication arms, every orbiting across the central vertical gear practice as soon as each 10 minutes. The primary of those is the model’s signature Jacob Lower 1-carat spherical diamond, rotating on its axis as soon as each 90 seconds to permit every of its 288 particular person aspects to catch the sunshine. The second returning component is the triple-axis tourbillon, with its stylized cage incorporating the Jacob & Co. emblem in rose gold. Impressively, Jacob & Co. claims that these two parts, positioned throughout from one another on the orbiting meeting, are excellent counterweights to at least one one other to reduce stress throughout the motion. As spectacular as each of those parts are, nonetheless, the true focus of the design in photos is the brand new orbiting world timer complication. This outsized painted rose gold globe rotates on its axis as soon as each 24 hours, indicating the time throughout every of the 24 time zones by way of the mounted set of indicators on the south pole. To counterweight this new signature complication, Jacob & Co. suits a extremely detailed orbiting astronaut determine in hand-painted German silver. Along with orbiting the central dial with the remainder of the issues, this whimsical addition spins by itself axis each 90 seconds to present this dynamic show much more movement. Jacob & Co. completes this area scene with a hand-painted aventurine plate atop the motion bridges, depicting the Milky Approach and a number of ornately detailed planets above a glittering black backdrop.
The manufacture JCFM11A handwound minute repeater tourbillon motion contained in the Jacob & Co. Astronomia Maestro Worldtime is as a lot a bit of kinetic sculpture as it’s a purposeful mechanism, however affords a powerful degree of motion efficiency. Exterior of the beforehand talked about elaborations, the minute repeater complication is a chief instance of the model’s strategy to extremely ornamental complication work, with a trio of lengthy curving carillon gongs wrapping across the motion and interacting with a trio of stacked hammers which have been hand-calibrated for readability and tone. Contemplating the complexity and weight of the model’s torque-hungry orbiting idea, the JCMF11A’s energy reserve efficiency is powerful, with a 50 hour reserve at a 21,600 bph beat fee. To finish the look, Jacob & Co. pairs the Astronomia Maestro Worldtime with a basic navy blue alligator leather-based strap that includes an 18K rose gold deployant clasp.
Though its over-the-top strategy to issues might not go well with each style, as a bit of sheer watchmaking spectacle the restricted version Jacob & Co. Astronomia Maestro Worldtime is a formidable ultra-luxury contender. Solely 18 examples of the Jacob & Co. Astronomia Maestro Worldtime will probably be made, and the watch is accessible now by way of approved sellers at an MSRP of $780,000. For extra particulars, please go to the model’s web site.
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