Jacob & Co is a luxury jewelry and watchmaking brand founded in 1986 by Jacob Arabo. The company first gained attention in New York’s Diamond District with bold jewelry designs before expanding into high horology. Today, it is known for creating not only gem-studded watches but also pieces with daring complications, striking visuals, and mechanical innovation.
You can explore a general overview of Jacob & Co on Wikipedia.To get more knowledge about the luxury of this watch explore our collection of Jacob & Co. The brand stands apart for integrating musical elements, rotating mechanisms, and multi-aoxis tourbillons in its timepieces.
Among its most remarkable creations is the Jacob & Co Opera Grandfather (sometimes called the GrandFather Diamond). This rare watch combines music, diamonds, and advanced mechanics, embodying the spirit of mechanical theater and fine watchmaking.
The Jacob & Co Opera Grandfather: Overview
The Opera Grandfather draws its inspiration from traditional grandfather clocks. It carries a sense of heritage, music, and grand design. The watch is produced in extremely limited numbers, making it rare and highly collectible.
One standout edition is the Jacob & Co Opera Grandfather Diamond (reference OP810.40.RD.UA.ABALA), a model that merges jewelry artistry with mechanical genius.
Key specifications include:
- Case size: 49 mm diameter
- Case material: Rose gold with sapphire crystal elements
- Movement: Manual winding, caliber JCFM04
- Power reserve: Approximately 42 hours
- Gem setting: 1,573 diamonds weighing a total of about 4.72 carats
- Water resistance: 3 ATM or 30 meters
- Functions: Hours, minutes, triple-axis tourbillon, and musical playback of the Godfather theme
- Approximate price in Pakistan: Between PKR 800 lakhs and 1,400 lakhs, depending on edition and customization
This model is no longer in the active catalog, which further increases its rarity and desirability.
Design and Aesthetics
The Opera Grandfather is visually bold and instantly recognizable. Its large rose gold case is encrusted with diamonds and complemented by sapphire crystal, allowing an open view of its inner mechanics. Instead of a busy dial, the focus is placed on the tourbillon and musical cylinders.
The centerpiece is the triple-axis flying tourbillon, a complex mechanism that appears suspended in mid-air due to its flying design. This not only enhances the aesthetics but also demonstrates high horological skill.
Another distinctive aspect is the musical system. Activated by a pusher at the side of the case, the mechanism plays a recognizable version of the Godfather theme, creating both a visual and auditory performance inside the watch.
Key Features in Depth
Triple-axis Flying Tourbillon
The tourbillon in this model rotates across three axes at different speeds. This engineering reduces the impact of gravity on timekeeping from multiple directions. The flying construction, without an upper bridge, allows the complication to appear weightless, as if it is floating within the case.
Musical Mechanism (Music Box)
The defining feature of the Opera Grandfather is its musical complication. When activated, the watch plays a short segment of the Godfather theme through rotating cylinders that strike comb blades, much like a traditional music box. This creates a miniature performance that turns the act of checking time into a dramatic show.
Gem Setting and Finishing
The Opera Grandfather Diamond edition includes 1,573 precisely set diamonds totaling nearly 5 carats. The case, lugs, and other components are paved with these gems, blending fine jewelry with horology. Inside, the movement is decorated with finishes such as anglage and perlage, showcasing the artistry of Swiss craftsmanship.
Limited Edition and Exclusivity
Only a handful of these watches were produced, with some existing as unique pieces. This rarity adds immense appeal among serious collectors, who value it as both a mechanical masterpiece and a status symbol.
Why the Opera Grandfather Is Admired
Mechanical Theatre
The Opera Grandfather is more than a watch; it is a performance. With a single press of a button, the owner can trigger a miniature concert of rotating cylinders, sound, and a spinning tourbillon. This fusion of music and mechanics makes it stand out even among other complicated watches.
Technical Rarity
The combination of a triple-axis tourbillon with a functioning music box is extremely rare in horology. Few watchmakers even attempt such complexity, which is why this piece is celebrated as one of the most ambitious creations in modern watchmaking.
Artistic and Emotional Appeal
The use of the Godfather theme ties the watch to cultural history. The name Grandfather adds symbolic meaning, recalling the legacy of the classic grandfather clock while bringing that heritage into a modern wristwatch.
Symbol of Status and Wealth
The heavy use of diamonds, the intricate mechanics, and the exclusivity all make the Opera Grandfather a statement piece. For collectors, owning this model is both a personal achievement and a display of status.
Relationship to the Opera Godfather Line
The Opera Grandfather is closely related to the Opera Godfather series. Both models share the triple-axis tourbillon and the ability to play the Godfather theme. Some Opera Godfather editions also include engravings of scenes from the movie.
What distinguishes the Opera Grandfather is its extensive gem setting and even greater rarity, positioning it as the more extravagant counterpart to the Opera Godfather.
Challenges and Considerations
- Size and Weight: With a 49 mm case, the watch is large and not suited for daily wear.
- Fragility: The cylinders and tourbillon are delicate, requiring careful handling.
- Maintenance: Only specialized watchmakers can service such a complex piece.
- Power Management: The balance between timekeeping and musical performance requires advanced engineering.
- Water Resistance: Limited to 30 meters, it is not designed for practical water use.
Price of Jacob & Co Opera Grandfather in Pakistan
The Jacob & Co Opera Grandfather is not part of standard retail collections and is usually available only through special orders, private resellers, or auctions. Because of its limited availability and customization, prices vary.
In Pakistan, its estimated price ranges from PKR 800 lakhs to 1,400 lakhs, depending on the edition and diamond setting. Collectors generally acquire such watches through international dealers or luxury boutiques.
This high value reflects its status as one of the rarest and most ambitious watches created by Jacob & Co.
Conclusion
The Jacob & Co Opera Grandfather is a masterwork that combines high horology, musical performance, and luxury design. With its triple-axis flying tourbillon, music box complication, and over 1,500 diamonds, it stands as one of the most unique watches ever produced.
Its rarity, cultural connection to the Godfather theme, and price range of PKR 800 lakhs to 1,400 lakhs make it a treasure for collectors. More than a timepiece, it is a statement of art, heritage, and exclusivity.
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