The tourbillon has long been horology’s most poetic rebellion against gravity, a rotating carriage that houses the balance wheel and escapement, traditionally completing one measured revolution every 60 seconds in a stately mechanical waltz. Conceived to average out positional errors in pocket watches, it has since evolved into the ultimate declaration of watchmaking virtuosity. Few contemporary maisons have embraced its possibilities with the same fervour as Jacob & Co., which has developed more than 32 calibers built around this complication, exploring multi axis constructions, architectural displays and daring configurations that transform precision into spectacle. Yet even for a house so fluent in rotational theatre, one frontier remained unconquered: speed. And so, in celebrating his 60th birthday, Jacob Arabo resolved not merely to reinterpret the tourbillon, but to accelerate it into legend.
At first glance, God of Time announces itself not as a watch but as an edifice. The 44.5 mm case, rising to a height of 18.10 mm, is sculpted in 18K rose gold and shaped like an Ionian Greek column, its volutes echoing the grandeur of antiquity. The lugs flow as extensions of this architectural language, creating the impression of a miniature temple secured to the wrist. Every curve is deliberate, every surface polished to catch light with ceremonial gravitas. On the left hand side, at 9 o’clock, a crown is positioned exclusively for time setting, an unconventional placement that preserves the dramatic dominance of the right flank where the tourbillon aperture commands attention. The crystal above is anti reflective sapphire, ensuring that nothing obstructs the theatre within.
The dial unfolds like a myth carved in metal and stone. Its base is blue aventurine, shimmering like a celestial firmament, setting the stage for both artistry and mechanics. Hours and minutes are indicated by 5N red gold dauphine hands, sharply faceted and classically proportioned, gliding with composed elegance across the cosmic backdrop. They offer restraint amid exuberance, a reminder that even the most radical watch must first tell the time.
Yet it is impossible to ignore the dominant presence on the dial: Chronos himself. Rendered in an 18K rose gold applique measuring 37 mm in length and 1.5 mm at its thickest point, this hand crafted sculpture is a triumph of Métiers d’Art. Over several days, artisans engrave, polish, burnish and patinate the figure until hair, beard, toga, muscles, tendons and even fingernails emerge with vivid realism. He is not a mere ornament but a commanding deity, poised in three dimensional relief, watching over the high speed tourbillon that spins beside him. The upper bridge of this tourbillon is made entirely of sapphire crystal, concealing nothing and amplifying the sense of mechanical audacity.
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Turning the watch over reveals a blue sapphire crystal caseback, transparent yet richly hued, bearing the portrait and signature of Jacob Arabo. Integrated into this caseback is a flip bow crown, dedicated to winding the movement. This discreet solution preserves the architectural purity of the case while accommodating the formidable energy requirements within. Beneath this sculptural exterior beats Caliber JCAM60, a hand wound movement developed entirely from a blank page. Comprising 282 components and operating at 21,600 vibrations per hour, it was engineered with a singular ambition: to create the fastest tourbillon ever fitted into a wristwatch. While 99.5 percent of tourbillons complete one revolution every 60 seconds, God of Time achieves one rotation every 4 seconds, fifteen times faster than the norm and a world record. The titanium tourbillon carriage measures 12 mm in diameter yet weighs only 0.27 grams, an extraordinary feat given that it incorporates a constant force device.
The physics are relentless. Each doubling of speed demands four times the energy. To sustain such velocity, Jacob & Co. employs two sets of two stacked barrels, their force regulated by a constant force mechanism operating at a frequency of one sixth of a second. The result is a remarkable equilibrium between ferocious speed and a weekend proof power reserve of 60 hours. It is the culmination of experience drawn from more than 30 previous tourbillon movements, distilled into one uncompromising calibre. Securing this horological monument to the wrist is a blue alligator leather strap paired with an 18K rose gold deployment buckle, harmonising with the case’s opulent warmth. Limited to 60 pieces under reference JA060.40.AA.AA.A, God of Time is both celebration and provocation. In shaping a watch like a temple and animating it with a 4 second tourbillon beneath the vigilant gaze of Chronos, Jacob & Co. has not merely measured time. It has dared to accelerate it.
