DESIGN INSPIRATION
Celestial bodies and space exploration have long driven Jacob Arabo's creativity. In 2014, he translated his intimate passion into an ambitious timepiece concept. Astronomia is an unheard-of translation of astrophysics into watchmaking form. Astronomia Solar Zodiac is a smaller, deeper and more intensely gem-oriented version of this planetary creation.The Astronomia Solar Zodiac case is designed like an astronomer's observatory. It's a 43.40-mm version of the original Astronomia case, rounded, vertical and surrounded with four transparent sapphire panes. Their transparency offers a galaxy-wide view, with wrist-friendly-sized dimensions.
A vibrant sun sits at the top of the movement, giving the collection its name. The rotating satellite holds three more planets. All four symbolic stellar bodies are made from Jacob-cut, 288-facet gems of intense color, showcasing the unique Jacob & Co. signature shape. A starry night sky made of aventurine stone serves as a base underneath it all, inlaid with seven planets made of a selection of hard stone cabochons : white granite for Mercury, rhodonite for Venus, red jasper for Mars, pietersite for Jupiter, tiger eye for Saturn (18K Rose Gold applique for the rings), blue calcite for Uranus and lapis for Neptune.
DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
Creating a miniature, mechanical solar system required going beyond all preconceptions, innovating and breaking barriers, like space exploration. Caliber JCAM19 is one of the most advanced and complex movements in the Jacob & Co. catalog. Jacob & Co. holds patents that govern its inner workings.
Caliber JCAM19 is a three-dimensional movement with a central, vertical axis. It carries four satellites. All of them rotate on their individual axis, and around the central axis. A double-axis tourbillon, an Earth globe, a rotating dial, planets made of gems spinning on themselves, its complications take on the form of planetary bodies.
Orbits are defined by their speed. The rotation of Astronomia Solar Constellations' central axis impacts energy management, power reserve and most of all, the impression it leaves on the viewer. The platform’s full rotation takes 10 minutes.
THE COMPLICATIONS AND FEATURES
Astronomia Solar Zodiac blends constant motion and extreme precision. It is a choreography of celestial bodies that are actually complications, achieved by exclusive, hand-wound Caliber JCAM19.
THE ROTATING PLATFORM
The most visually striking feature of Astronomia Solar Zodiac is its structure. From the aventurine glass back-dial emerges a vertical platform. It revolves on its own axis in 10 minutes. Its constant motion powers all the movement's functions and indications.
THE DOUBLE-AXIS FLYING TOURBILLONAt the end of one satellite arm hangs a flying tourbillon. It's held inside an openworked carriage. It revolves on its axis in 60 seconds. Since it travels along with the central platform, this adds a second axis, with a 10-minute rotation period.
THE ORBITAL DIAL
At the end of another satellite arm lies the hour and minute dial. The platform rotation would normally shift the numbers and make their reading impossible. Jacob & Co. has fitted the dial with a patented differential system. It spins in the opposite direction of the platform, at the same speed. As a result, its 12 Zodiac signs remain constantly upright and readable.
THE PLANETS
The satellite arms carry three gem-made planets, spinning at the same 10-minute per rotation speed as the large central sun that dominates it all. Another part of the platform bears a Jacob-cut, 288-facet diamond moon and a rotating earth globe. The titanium base is also spinning counterclockwise in ten minutes, and is inlaid with another seven planets.
THE LIFESTYLE
Astronomia Solar Zodiac embraces its spectacular nature. Representing ultimate horological showmanship and an exceptional level of high jewelry expertise and craft, it comes with a visually light and more compact case. It stands out even among creative and high complication timepieces.
