Jacob & Co. Luxury Swiss Watches

Jacob & Co. is definitely a relatively new company in the watchmaking business, as it has only been around for just over 20 years. However, the passion and exquisite designs of Jacob Arabo, who founded the company in 1986, have allowed the company to stand alongside watchmakers with as many as 200 years of experience in the watchmaking business.

Jacob Arabo’s story began as a young Russian boy with a love of jewelry who immigrated to the United States as a 16-year old. Arabo immediately took jewelry design courses and then moved on to designing unique pieces in the “Diamond District” of New York for jewelry companies and private clients. This led to the formation of Jacob & Co., which immediately became the biggest up-and-coming brand in jewelry, thanks to the buzz from such high-profile clients as Whitney Houston, Elton John and Bono.

At that time, Jacob & Co. were known for their innovative designs that utilized diamonds and other jewels to make stunning unique pieces, but in 2002, Jacob Arabo decided to use the recognition of his brand to launch his company into the timepiece industry, as well. The Five Time Zone collection consisted of the first offerings from Jacob & Co., which featured bold, primary colors that stood out from other luxury designs. He said that he was inspired to create these first watches by the fast-paced lifestyles of his client, such as David Beckham, Naomi Campbell and Justin Timberlake.

Following the success of the Five Time Zone collection, Jacob & Co. followed with other models, including the Automatic Chronograph line, which symbolized Jacob & Co.’s further progress into more sophisticated movements as well as designs. The Automatic Chronograph line was just as well-received as the Five Time Zone collection, which only expanded the perception of Jacob & Co. as a watchmaking company as well as a custom jewelry maker. Arabo also took the time to diversify his initial line of watches with softer colors and diamond accents.

The first true masterpiece of Jacob & Co.’s timepiece manufacturing exploits was the Five Time Zone “The World Is Yours” watch. The dial formed a world map by using diamonds of different colors and styles to form an accurate globe of continents and oceans. The watch won a 2006 Travel & Leisure design award for its creativity and artful elegance.

Jacob & Co. wanted to show that they could produce more than just beautiful designs, so two non-diamond timepieces were introduced a few years ago, both of which featured astounding technical innovations. The H-24 Five Time Zone Automatic and the World GMT both combine time zone technology with an automatic movement, while covering time in up to 32 additional cities, which is all driven by a single movement. Then, there was 2005’s limited-edition Rainbow Tourbillon collection, which integrated a tourbillion device with Jacob & Co.’s signature multiple time zone features.

Jacob & Co. have been able to gain ground with under ten years of watchmaking under their belts by marrying technological innovations with award-winning styles and elegance. The commitment to excellence already shown by Arabo’s visions makes the world excited to see what will come from the company in the years to come.