Jacob & Co. Astronomy Casino
Jacob & Co. copy is a brand known mainly for high-end jewelry and jewelry watches. This was the prevailing concept until Baselworld 2014, when the company introduced the astronomical tourbillon timepiece. Although the Astronomia Tourbillon was not Jacob & Co.’s first complicated watch, it was undoubtedly the most eye-catching design of the brand at the time. It has taken the world by storm with its exhibitionist nature and complex original actions. Since then, dozens of creative changes have been introduced — each more exaggerated than before — and the watch continues to be the topic of every watch show where it appears. At this year’s Basel International Watch and Jewellery Fair, another member of the booming Astronomia series is presented, and this may be the most creative so far. here,
Case, dial and hands
Astronomia Casino uses a standard Astronomia shell, reminiscent of an aquarium. It is worth noting that the strap is a continuous sapphire crystal and how the lugs are hollowed out to achieve this design. Naturally, the movement and display are so amazing, you want to know the contents of the case to the greatest extent. According to watchmaking standards, the contents of the case are huge. So that the diameter of the rose gold case is 47 mm and the height is 27.9 mm (no, this is not a typo). In these measurements, the astronomy casino obviously does not mean or can be hidden under the sleeve. You need to be extra careful when you wear the watch so that it won’t get caught in the all-out wall shelf. The only thing that keeps the watch from being bulky on the wrist at all is its short lugs that bend down sharply. One thing we have always liked about the Astronomia case is that it does not have a crown, which can disrupt the balance of the watch. On the contrary, the winding and setting of Astronomia is completed by two buttons on the solid bottom cover.
The case is designed like a display cabinet to provide maximum visibility of the movement and display.
But although the case is impressive, its internal content is even more exciting. All thanks to the designers of Astronomia Casino, they noticed how Astronomia’s four-arm movement fits the roulette theme. A beautifully crafted rose gold spoke turret is placed in the center of the movement, which already looks like a turret with four-pronged spokes. Therefore, the core part does become somewhat redundant. In fact, the absence of it will significantly reduce the height of the watch.
Astronomia Casino’s roulette wheel is made of a spectacular series of green, red and black enamels, and is inlaid with mahogany wood. It is activated by a button at 8 o’clock (also winds the movement).
On the four arms of the movement, each arm has the iconic Astronomia display: a 1-carat, 288-sided diamond, a magnesite globe, an hour and minute sub-dial, and of course a dual-axis flying rotor flywheel. Below the arm is a complication of roulette. The roulette is also made of rose gold and can be turned by pressing the button at the 8 o’clock position of the case. Then, the ceramic ball will be sent to play, and then eventually fall into one of the many colored and numbered pockets. These pockets are presented in green, black or red enamel.
sports
Driving the Astronomia Casino is the manual winding movement JCAM29A manufactured in-house. The movement with 395 parts and 42 jewels has a diameter of 41.40 mm and a thickness of 20.50 mm. Despite the power consumption of sports, it still has a considerable 60-hour power reserve and runs at a beat rate of 3 Hz. Astronomia Casino has a solid back cover, so the movement cannot be seen through it. Fortunately, most of the calibers can be seen through the front, and obviously, it is very gorgeously finished. The bridges, bridges and tourbillon frame are all decorated with polished bevels, the wheels have round grains, the screws are polished, and many other decorative techniques are applied to visible or invisible parts.
There are two buttons for winding and time setting on the sturdy bottom cover.
Competitive landscape
Whether you like a Shopping watch or not, the fact remains that Astronomia Casino is a truly unique timepiece, born of noble creativity and craftsmanship. Outside the astronomical circle, there is nothing more like this. It is the ultimate form of luxury in watchmaking, and its pricing reflects this philosophy. Astronomia Casino is limited to 18 pieces, and the retail price is as high as $620,000, which is jaw-dropping.
Astronomia Casino protrudes like a sore thumb on the wrist, like a miniature monument.
Now, although the concept of Astronomia timepieces is extremely unique, this watch is not the only one with “extraordinary” design and execution. For example, the avant-garde Athens watch Freak Vision. Although Freak Vision is not as gorgeous as Astronomia Casino, it is full of industry-leading innovations. The time on Freak Vision is still expressed in Freak, that is, the French baguette movement itself, a “flying turntable” that rotates around its own axis. The brand new lies in its ultra-light silicon balance wheel with nickel elements and stable micro-blade, and the Grinder automatic winding system that completely changes the energy transmission. Its efficiency is more than twice that of the existing system. Freak Vision is priced at 95,000 Swiss francs, which is not a small amount, but it is also a reasonable price for watches that are at the forefront of mechanical watchmaking technology. Its cost is also six times that of Astro Casino,
Ever wish you could have a fully operable miniature roulette wheel, can it double as a clock? Well, now you can use Astronomia Casino. With its crazy aesthetics, design and size, this watch will definitely attract critics. However, one thing that no one can take away from Astronomia Casino is that it is a very interesting watch. That, and the level of craftsmanship make the watch a reality.