The New Jacob & Co. Astronomia Revolution 4th Dimension Watch Breaks Fresh Ground

Only four months after unveiling its pioneering Astronomia Revolution, Jacob & Co. has presented luxury watch aficionados with the new Astronomia Revolution 4th Dimension timepiece. This accounts for an upgraded take on the one-minute rotating movement with a triple-axis tourbillon. Therefore, on offer is a four-axis tourbillon, which is being deemed a groundbreaking technological achievement. The watch has been developed and released in collaboration with Concepto Watch Factory, the brand’s main movement partner. The Astronomia Revolution 4th Dimension watch will be put up for auction on November 5 to benefit Only Watch's battle against Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

The Astronomia Revolution 4th Dimension watch is equipped with a triple-axis flying tourbillon at the end of a two-arm carousel, which rotates every 60 seconds, thereby making it a four-axis tourbillon. In fact, this tourbillon is the first of its kind, fitted in a wristwatch. Additionally, the tourbillon carriage contains a high-frequency constant force escapement. In keeping with the Only Watch 2023 colour theme, the timepiece is bejewelled with 35 coloured gems, set culet side up. 

The Jacob & Co. Astronomia Revolution 4th Dimension watch is both a kinetic work of mechanical art and a jewellery feat. Explaining how the Astronomia collection has broken the triple-axis barrier, Jacob Arabo, founder of Jacob & Co., said in a statement, “Right from the inception of the Astronomia collection, I wanted it to spin as fast as possible and then we reached one minute with the Astronomia Revolution. I wanted it to be an extraordinary tourbillon and then we reached four axes.”

Bejewelled Beauty

Combining high watchmaking with high jewellery, the Jacob & Co. Astronomia Revolution 4th Dimension watch features a rose gold structure that looks like an imposing high jewellery piece lying underneath the spinning carousel. This hollowed-out structure is adorned with 35 gemstones, chosen from among seven types of gems. Every gem is bespoke-cut to form a field of coloured light and placed with its culet side up. This intentionally random layout creates a jagged expanse – capturing light, reshaping it and reflecting it – with a vivid, enhanced look. 

Technical Prowess

The Jacob & Co. Astronomia Revolution 4th Dimension watch retains the structure of the other Astronomia movements and is powered by hand-wound Caliber JCAM 54. Even though the decorative plate hides a small part of the watch, the movement is visible from the centre, in the shape of a two-arm carousel. The movement features 485 components that spin to the tune of one rotation every 60 seconds. It acts like a second hand and as the tourbillon's first rotation axis. 

At the end of the first arm, which is the first rotation axis, lies a flying triple-axis tourbillon. The tourbillon carriage is held by one end only, a lateral one making it a flying tourbillon, while the escapement is put into rotation by three sets of gears, resulting in a triple-axis. The first one spins in 60 seconds, the second one in 18 seconds and the last one in 15 seconds. Combining four axes with high speed, the tourbillon evens out the negative effects of gravity on its accurate measurement of time. 

Energy Influx

With such a high rotation speed, the timepiece requires a lot of energy. And if that kind of energy is delivered directly to the escapement, it would wreak havoc. Therefore, Jacob & Co. and Concepto Watch Factory have developed a constant force device, awaiting a patent, that protects the escapement against a massive influx of energy. Every 1/6th of a second, which is the frequency of the balance wheel, the gear train activates a whip. It acts as a buffer between the energy flow from the barrel and the tourbillon. 

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When the whip is activated, it transmits the exact amount of energy needed by the escapement for the next 1/6th of a second. Apart from preserving the escapement, this offers a major chronometric advantage. With the extremely high number of positions provided by the four tourbillon axes, this Jacob & Co. x Concepto Watch Factory piece enters the fourth dimension of watchmaking. 

Case and More

The dimensions of the rose gold case reflect those of the Caliber JCAM 54, measuring 47 mm in diameter and 27 mm in height. The case is built around the curved panes of a sapphire glass, held together by the precious metal. It is covered by a wide, domed sapphire crystal that opens up the view of Caliber JCAM 54 and what lies beneath it. It is a composition that blends shape, colour, and gem variety with gem-cutting. 

The backplate of the Jacob & Co. Astronomia Revolution 4th Dimension watch is a piece of art – reminiscent of the stained glass windows generally found at cathedrals – made of kaleidoscopic gems. Each gem provides a different colour – take the orange hessonite garnets, the yellow citrines, the blue sapphires, the green tsavorites, and the purple rhodolite garnets. The topazes are light blue in colour while the pyrope garnets radiate a red hue. 

The gems are cut in bespoke shapes, not adhering to any of the classic cuts. The watch is presented on a luxurious blue alligator leather strap with an 18 ct rose gold buckle that matches the case.

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