The world’s fastest tourbillon debuts on the Jacob & Co. God of Time watch

Chinese New Year has always been about fresh starts — new clothes, lucky charms, endeavours to invite good fortune for the months ahead. In watchmaking, few creations feel as deliberately charged with meaning as the Jacob & Co. God of Time, a high-complication watch that blends mythology, mechanical extremity, and sculptural artistry.

At first glance, the God of Time is unapologetically dramatic. Housed in a 44.5mm rose gold case, its dial is dominated by a three-dimensional sculpture of Chronos, the ancient Greek personification of time, rendered in hand-engraved rose gold. 

Set against a sparkling deep blue aventurine dial, which is a gemstone long associated with luck, protection, and connection to the celestial realm, the figure appears almost alive, frozen mid-motion as if controlling time itself. If there is something anyone in today’s world of endless hustle would desire to master, that is it.

This Jacob & Co. watch, however, is no mere visual metaphor for mastery over time, resilience against chaos, and command over one’s destiny. At its heart is an extraordinary technical breakthrough: The God of Time houses the fastest tourbillon ever created, completing a full rotation in just four seconds — 15 times faster than a traditional one-minute tourbillon.

Held up by Chronos himself, on the right side of the dial, this high-speed component never stops spinning, even when partially hidden beneath a cuff, serving as a constant reminder of momentum and continuous advancement — fitting themes as one steps into a new lunar year.

Powering this feat is the hand-wound Calibre JCAM60, developed specifically to sustain such extreme rotational speed. The tourbillon carriage weighs a remarkable 0.27g, achieved through extensive use of titanium and radical weight reduction, while a constant-force mechanism releases energy six times per second to ensure stability and precision. 

Twin-stacked barrels deliver a 60-hour power reserve, ensuring the watch remains reliable even as it performs at the edge of mechanical possibility.

The symbolism runs deeper than mechanics. In Chinese culture, gold signifies wealth and success, while blue is associated with wisdom, tranquillity, and longevity. Together, the rose gold case and blue aventurine dial form a beautifully contrasting yet auspicious colour pairing that is an alternative to popular zodiac motifs or novelty designs often seen during the Chinese New Year season.

Even the architecture of the case reinforces deep meaning. Inspired by classical Greek temples, the fluted casebands and Ionic-column details evoke permanence, order, and strength — qualities many seek to anchor in the year ahead.

Turn the watch over, and the sapphire caseback reveals a portrait of Jacob & Co. founder Jacob Arabo himself, marking the piece as a highly personal creation conceived to celebrate his 60th birthday. 

Limited to just 60 pieces worldwide, the God of Time is priced at $525,900 and is, by any measure, an object for the few with an appeal that goes beyond exclusivity. For collectors who believe that watches are potent companions, this is a piece that will resonate on a whole new level.