Behind the brand

Using a makeshift workspace in his bedroom, Jacob Arabo began designing jewellery, and eventually, gave up his day job to open a small booth in New York City’s bustling diamond district.

Once he found success with his jewellery business Mr Arabo returned his focus to watches. Unable to find a vendor in Switzerland, he created simpler quartz watches and the Five Time Zone watch he’d long dreamt of (a timepiece that you could change the look of the watch with different bezels and straps). But, it was supermodel Naomi Campbell sporting the timepiece that finally put the Jacob & Co. brand firmly on the map.

The success of the Five Time Zone watch led Mr Arabo to go back to Switzerland, where he was able to work with a boutique watchmaking firm to design a world-first, a vertical tourbillon with an outstanding 31-day power reserve.

It then became his quest to create serious complications – inventing movements that had never been done before including the Epic X skeleton, flying tourbillon baguette watches and the Astronomia. But, while his risk-taking is unique to high watchmaking, his solutions are rooted in traditional watchmaking, applying concepts that are fundamental to horology.