As members of an internationally lauded jewelry and global retail operation, the watchmaking team at Jacob & Co. create timepieces that unapologetically venture into the realm of statement-making adornment while still honoring the traditions of haute horology. And the new versions of the Jacob & Co. Epic X wristwatch – the Jacob & Co. Epic X Titanium and Jacob & Co. Epic X Baguette Rose Gold – are certainly no exceptions to that rule.
Amazingly, by gorgeously constraining and framing the fully observable, skeletonized, manual-wind movement within a bold case design, the company has produced two visually stunning timepieces with modern appeal that show off the brand’s adherence to the classical, as well.
“I have to create,” said company founder Jacob Arabo. “My dream has always been to invent things that haven’t been done before. For the brand, it’s about making the impossible, reality.”
In the titanium execution, the superbly skeletonized movement, featuring a rose gold balance bridge at 6 o’clock, an openworked mainspring at 12 o’clock, and a 72-hour power reserve, is held in place by two robust vertical bridges that extend from the lugs down the mid-length of the timepiece. Not only does this construction allow for a great deal of transparency through the depth of the watch and out the back, but the parallel bridges create empty space on either side of the watch face, which results in a visually arresting effect. Indeed, the movement seems to almost float in the middle of the timepiece.
The X-motif starts at the four points of the burly lugs, which, like the case, are etched, micro-blasted, bordered, and expertly polished in outline, offering some unexpected gleam to titanium’s often matte presence. The prominent crown and protectors work seamlessly with the classic-meets-modern execution. Skeletonized twin-blade hands with bold red tips extend over the whole package and tie it together.Meanwhile, the open-worked, hexagonal, honeycomb-patterned rubber strap (or alligator strap) echoes the geometrical DNA of the design and its modernity. To cap off the robustness story, the watch is unexpectedly water resistant to 50 meters (164 feet), as well. Of course, as a renowned jeweler, gem-setting is never too far from the mind of Jacob & Co.’s design efforts, with most of its watches created in anticipation of added adornment. In the case of the Epic X, the design canvas proves to be ideal for the addition of 26 baguette-cut white diamonds (with an approximate total carat weight of 4.6) to the bezel. While the gem-setting approach will use differently sized stones depending on their application, the baguette-cut diamonds used in the Epic X Baguette Rose Gold emphasize the rectangular frame of the skeletonized movement. Plus, the expertly finished 18K rose gold case, movement components, and hands raise the eye-candy factor even more. In this case, a sky-blue rubber honeycomb strap (or alligator strap) holds this masterpiece in place. And, despite its more elegant nature, the Epic X Baguette Rose Gold is also water-resistant, this time to 30 meters (98 feet).Of course, at 44 x 12.3mm, neither of these timepieces will not go unnoticed on your wrist. But the presentation doesn’t feel overtly attention-getting or blingy. It feels more – ok, I’ll say it – “epic.”
