American watch manufacturer Jacob & Co. has released a new timepiece emblematic of the high-rolling lifestyle offered at the Casino de Monte-Carlo. A follow-up to the highly detailed — if somewhat unwieldy — Astronomia Casino introduced in 2019, the Jacob & Co. Casino Tourbillon takes on a comparatively pared-back form.
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Drawing inspiration from the original roulette timepiece, the Astronomia Casino, the Jacob & Co. Casino Tourbillon is defined by its clean lines and sleek forms. The 44mm case is crafted from polished rose gold, with the steep bezel, domed sapphire crystal, and wide lugs contributing to a harmonious aesthetic and ergonomic fit. Not just a pretty dial, the Jacob & Co. Casino Tourbillon plays host to a functional free-spinning roulette game, complete with 37 pockets and a white ball. Like the Astronomia Casino, the Casino Tourbillon is devoid of a crown, with the only appendage on the rose gold case being the roulette pusher at 8 o’clock; designed to offer the best finger contact possible, it’s square-shaped and surrounded by a crescent-shaped crown guard which helps it assimilate with the rest of the case.
The pusher controls the signature function of the Casino Tourbillon, which has been elevated to the rank of a true watchmaking complication. Once activated, the pusher propels the wheelhead, which features 18 red, 18 black, and a dingle green pocket. The mechanical construction of the moment rests upon a set of ceramic ball bearings which allow the wheelhead to spin at a high speed with minimal friction. Concurrently, a white ceramic ball bounces through the pockets, resulting in a true portable game of chance.
The finishings and details on the timepiece are evocative of elite gambling establishments such as the high-stakes rooms at the Bellagio and the Monte Carlo Casino. The hours and minutes dial is composed of a single slab of black onyx, polished to perfection and fitted with applied gold indices. The kite shape of the indices is a nod to the kit-cut sapphires used in several Jacob & Co. creations.
Despite its complicated nature, the dial of the Jacob & Co. Casino Tourbillon remains clean and relatively simple. However, flip it over and you’ll find the namesake flying tourbillon on the caseback. The carriage of the flying tourbillon is decorated in the same fashion as the wheelhead, with engraved and lacquered red and black pockets. Alongside it sit two keys for setting the time and winding the watch, which comes with 72 hours of power reserve.
Made for those with money to gamble, the Jacob & Co. Casino Tourbillon is priced at $280,000USD (approx. $415,000AUD) and is limited to 101 pieces.
Words by John Deckard
