How Jacob the Jeweller changed the watch world

We all know Jacob & Co as one of the craziest and most luxurious watchmakers in the world, mainly thanks to the likes of the Astronomia or the unbelievable Bugatti Chiron timepieces.

 

And even though these watches deserve all the hype they get, they merely stand in the shadow of the brand’s most influential creation - The Five Time Zones.

 

Photo source: Hodinkee

 

The Five Time Zone debuted in 2002 by Jacob Arabo - better known as Jacob the Jeweler. A piece adorned with four subdials, each displaying New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo, and Paris time zones. Its breathtaking, bold colors made its 40mm or 47mm build even better, transcending gender boundaries, available in stainless steel or precious metals, and even diamond-studded. With easily interchangeable straps, it was a symbol of modern luxury, retailing from $5,500.

 

Photo source: Jacob & Co. 

 

Quite a lot, for a quartz watch.

 

Arabo's inspiration for this collection came from a watch his father gifted him in 1978. His migration to the US in 1979, a jewellery-making course at 17, and the establishment of Jacob & Co. at 21 led to his journey to the centre of hip-hop's glitz. Arabo's knack for bespoke diamond jewellery turned many A-listers into walking advertisements, making crazy-expensive, ridiculously opulent timepieces accessible to a larger audience.

 

Photo source: Haute Time

 

However, his genius extended beyond “shiny” accessories. Jacob the Jeweler revolutionized the relationship between hip-hop and luxury, changing the world of traditional luxury watches. His audacity and mastery of understanding clients' desires influenced a shift towards flamboyant, diamond-set watches.

 

Photo source: Getty Images. 

 

The Five Time Zone's one of the most influential watches of our day, there’s no doubt about that. It was a game-changing moment in the cultural intersection of luxury and music, setting a trend for vibrant, diamond watches. Arabo's foresight and ability to connect with the evolving desires of the hip-hop community expanded the horizons of traditional luxury brands. This watch was more than a timepiece; it was a symbol of a cultural revolution.