Jacob & Co. Launches the Yellow Diamond Watch ‘Billionaire Timeless Treasure’
On March 27, 2023, at the Watches & Wonders Geneva exhibition, Jacob & Co. made a significant splash by unveiling the yellow diamond watch Billionaire Timeless Treasure, valued at $20 million. This timepiece is not just a piece of jewelry; it is a unique work of art.
Impressive Design with 425 Diamonds
The Billionaire Timeless Treasure is a complex tourbillon watch completely covered in 425 stunning yellow diamonds. These diamonds are cut in an octagonal shape, offering a radiant and luxurious appearance. Jacob & Co. spent three and a half years collecting and crafting all the rough diamonds into smaller stones to complete this design.
Legacy of the Billionaire Collection
This is not the first Billionaire watch from the brand. In 2015, Jacob & Co. introduced the first Billionaire watch featuring 260 carats of white diamonds. By 2018, Floyd Mayweather purchased one for $18 million, highlighting the strong appeal of this collection. Since 2015, only 21 pieces of this style have been produced.
Meticulous Crafting Process
When deciding to create this watch, Jacob & Co. searched extensively to secure enough rare yellow diamonds. Ultimately, the brand purchased a total of 880 carats of rough yellow diamonds, cutting them into 216.89 carats of perfect octagonal diamonds. Researching, cutting, and polishing these diamonds took thousands of hours.
Challenges in Diamond Collection
According to Seraina Wicht, head of the gem-set watch production at Jacob & Co., acquiring yellow diamonds is extremely challenging: “We often receive one or two stones at a time, at most three. There are times we don’t receive any for several weeks.”
Flawless Craftsmanship
Once enough diamonds were obtained, 15 skilled gem-setters spent months preparing the gold for the case and bracelet. Each diamond had to be measured and carved precisely to fit snugly into the gold settings. To complete the case, the brand used 46 large diamonds with a total weight of 55.15 carats.
Perfect JCAM39 Movement
At the heart of the watch is the skeleton movement JCAM39, hand-wound with 167 components, providing a power reserve of 72 hours. The 18-karat rose gold case measures 52.2 x 43.5 mm, featuring a dial and back made of sapphire crystal, allowing users to admire the beauty of the movement inside.
The Billionaire Timeless Treasure is not merely a watch; it is a testament to the art of high-end watchmaking and the sophistication of Jacob & Co. With its perfect blend of impressive design and exquisite craftsmanship, this timepiece is sure to become a symbol of luxury and prestige in the world of watches.
