Jacob & Co. stunned watch collectors around the world with the unveiling of a $20 million “Billionaire” model.
Unveiled at the annual Watches & Wonder exhibition (Geneva, Switzerland) in March, the watch called Billionaire Timeless Treasure quickly became the focus, attracting the attention of the media as well as fans. This creation is also considered to be one of the most luxurious and expensive watches ever created.
Timeless watch nearly 480 billionThe brand’s founder – Jacob Arabo – is known for his passion for creating the most complicated and unique timepieces in the world. Arabo himself often wears his creations and Billionaire Timeless Treasure is no exception.
The “Timeless Treasure” features 425 eye-catching Asscher-cut yellow diamonds that cover the entire watch. In addition, the skeletonized tourbillon movement is adorned with 57 baguette-cut yellow diamonds.
In total, Billionaire Timeless Treasure has 482 diamonds weighing 216.9 carats. The estimated total gross weight of these stones before being cut in any way is 880 carats.
The Jacob & Co diamond watch. Billionaire Timeless Treasure. Photo: Jacob & Co..
This is the culmination of 3.5 years of global hunting for only the finest, exceptionally large and high quality yellow diamonds. All versions of the American jeweler’s Billionaire watches are made unique by the impeccable quality of white diamonds. Particularly with Timeless Treasure, the quality requirements become much more stringent because the brand uses very rare yellow diamonds.
Simply put, for every 10,000 white diamonds, only one yellow diamond is found. Sourcing 880 carats of rough yellow diamonds and cutting them to achieve the final 216.9 carats in Asscher style requires a lot of dedication and s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁.
The precious stones are expertly set on the strap, bezel, dial and crown, creating a breathtaking visual effect that hardly any watch can match. The brand has assembled a special team of 10 people to find, sort and cut gems.
Founder Jacob Arabo wears a Billionaire Timeless Treasure on his hand. Photo: @jacobarabo.
After collecting enough, the artisans proceed to attach gems. They created a “golden web” that allows the stones to be attached to each other invisibly, at a glance, many people might think that there is no connection point between the stones.
“With white diamonds, we get a lot with dozens or hundreds of gems. But ‘Timeless Treasure’ is different, we get them one by one, sometimes 2 or at most 3. Many times we have lost weeks without receiving a piece worthy of the work,” said Seraina Wicht, the company’s head of gem-watch production.
Besides the yellow stone, Jacob & Co. Combined with 76 green Tsavorite stones – one of the favorite gemstones and a feature of the brand’s high-end creations.
But perhaps the most interesting detail of Timeless Treasure is the most “hidden” detail. If a user flips the dial to see the sapphire movement, they notice that the “o” in the word “Billionaire” is engraved with a smiley face.
Billionaire Timeless Treasure back and front dials. Photo: Jacob & Co..
The movement is powered by the hand-wound JCAM39 movement, has a 72-hour power reserve, and is water resistant to 30 meters.
Of course, the cost of owning such a watch is commensurate with the exclusivity and quality of the product. The retail price of Billionaire Timeless Treasure is 20 million USD (nearly 480 billion VND). Despite its price tag that is out of reach for many, the “Timeless Treasure” is a testament to the dedication and passion for creating the world’s leading exclusive, coveted timepiece.
Sophisticated “Billionaire” watch collectionIn 2015, the American jeweler created the first Billionaire (or Billionaire) watch like no other before. The creation of this bespoke project involved sourcing, grading, cutting and preparing 239 emerald-cut white diamonds, which took several years to complete. With an exposed, intricately carved tourbillon movement, Billionaire has become a symbol of luxury and exclusivity, priced at 18 million USD (nearly 430 billion VND).
Billionaire has attracted a lot of attention from international followers, prompting the company to launch a watch collection based on this concept.
Coming to the red carpet of the Oscars 2022, DJ Khaled attracted attention with the Jacob & Co. Billionaire on the wrist. Photo: Robb Report.
The collection includes the Billionaire II, which has 424 diamonds weighing 161 carats, and a tourbillon movement set with 57 baguette-cut diamonds. The 18-piece Billionaire III limited edition takes this concept to the next level, with 714 white baguette-cut diamonds.
The collection continues to evolve with the Billionaire III Diamonds and Rubies, whose bezel, movement and crown are set with a total of 134 rubies. The brand then explores the iconic cut Ashoka offers with a unique piece called Billionaire Ashoka. Next is the Billionaire Ashoka Smaller, a limited edition of 18 pieces set with 480 Ashoka-cut diamonds (100 carats).
According to Superwatchman, Hypebeast
