If there is one model that represents the stellar growth in both sales and popularity for Jacob & Co, it has to be the Astronomia. It is one of those watches that is uncompromisable itself. It is a statement, a horological masterpiece, but also a canvas to highlight complementary crafts. With the new Astronomia Revolution, Jacob & Co is accelerating things, quite literally, as the watch makes an entire rotation in just one minute.
This is quite an accomplishment and shows the brands’ dedication to continue to push the envelope, even when a particular model is already very successful. What started eight years ago with one rotation every 20 minutes was cut in half with the introduction of the Astronomia Solar. Now, Jacob & Co is down to a single minute, which they achieved by starting from scratch and building up the entire movement again.
The main challenge was not only generating the massive energy that is needed to give the Astronomia Revolution this speed, but also discovering how to deliver this constantly. To solve this problem, Jacob & Co developed a unique whip-based constant force device for which the patent is pending. In tune with the frequency of the balance wheel, every 1/6th of a second, a hairspring is activated by the gear train. This releases a star-shaped gear, the whip, that transmits just the right amount of energy to the tourbillon carriage to run another 1/6th of a second, acting as a buffer between the power from the mainspring barrels and the tourbillon.
In a visual sense is the Astronomia Revolution is also a spectacle, as we have come to expect from Jacob & Co. The case is unapologetically large with its diameter of 47mm and height of 27mm, but as always, Jacob & Co is making good use of this space. Inspired by the James Webb Space Telescope, it features 18 hexagonal mirrors, which makes the high speed of the device even more spectacular as you can also catch the reflection of what is happening underneath.
Next to the dial is the Astronomia Revolution, also fitted with a multi-axis flying tourbillon. It runs in 1 minute around its first axis and 15 seconds around the other, making it exceptionally high speed by itself. Jacob & Co also utilizes its significant experience as it comes to gemstones with a uniquely cut ruby integrated into the design. Its pyramid shape makes a full rotation around its own axis every 15 seconds, and as the movement as a whole makes a full rotation in a minute, it serves as a seconds hand, another first for the Astronomia.
Jacob & Co is making 18 pieces of the Astronomia Revolution, 6 in rose gold, 6 in white gold, and another 6 in white gold with a black DLC treatment. Pricing is available upon request.
For more info, visit Jacob & Co, here.