Jacob & Co. Astronomia Solar Watch Hands-on

Some may not immediately associate Jacob & Co. with haute horology, but that doesn't change the fact that the brand makes some of the most outrageous, boldest, and in fact, most expensive watches you can buy today watch. Just take a look at their Grand Complication Masterpieces and you'll find otherworldly watches like the Twin Turbo Twin Triple Axis Tourbillon Minute Repeater and the Epic SF24 Flying Tourbillon. However, the mainstay of the Jacob & Co. Grand Complication Masterpieces has to be the Astronomia, which has since spawned many different versions, such as the Clarity & Black watch. The latest one is called the Jacob & Co. Astronomia Solar, which we will be covering today.

Again, this isn't the first time we've had a chance to get our hands on an Astronomia watch. The last Astronomia watch we had a chance to play with was the Astronomia Clarity & Black, but the new Astronomia Solar is even more dramatic. We'll discuss the differences later, so let's start with the case first.

The case design remains largely the same. 18k rose gold is used to form a rough outline, and the space in between is filled with sapphires, allowing the owner to have an unobstructed view of the movement inside. The case diameter of the Jacob & Co. Astronomia Solar is 44.5 mm, which is slightly smaller than other Astronomia high quality watches replica. The case thickness is 21mm, and yes, that's not a typo. That's because the case itself has to be very large to house the fantastic three-dimensional movement, and it also has a domed sapphire crystal. So, the Astronomia Solar, like other Astronomia watches, is really thick. Don't expect it to slip under your shirt sleeve, rest assured everyone will notice it on your wrist - and of course you already know that.

The water resistance is only 30m, which is understandable for a complicated watch. Moving on, one thing some may notice is that there is no visible crown. Well, setting the time and winding the movement is actually done using two folded 18k rose gold 'bows' on the back of the case. Unfortunately, we didn't get a picture of the case, but it's similar to the system you'll find on some previous iterations of the Astronomia. Of course, the eye will be drawn to the whimsical and refined world created within the dial.Swiss Replica Watches

Like other Astronomia watches, the movement of the Jacob & Co. Astronomia Solar is clearly visible on the dial. There's a lot to see and a lot to move around. First, the movement actually consists of three separate arms; one arm leads to a small dial that shows the time; another leads to the flying tourbillon; and finally, the third arm leads to a globe.

The time is clearly visible, albeit dull, with sizable blue hour and minute hands that contrast with the 18k rose gold skeletonized sub-dials. The flying tourbillon has the Jacob & Co. logo printed on the tourbillon bridge and it actually rotates on two axes. Yes, this is not an ordinary tourbillon, it is a biaxial tourbillon. Horizontally, it rotates once every 60 seconds. Vertically, it rotates every 10 minutes.replica Greubel Forsey

Finally, a globe made of rose gold and blue lacquer rotates once every 60 seconds. It also makes one revolution around the dial every 10 minutes, as the whole structure or the movement itself rotates clockwise, making one revolution every 10 minutes. But that's not all, as the aventurine base adorning the night sky rotates counterclockwise, making one revolution every 10 minutes.

With the Astronomia Solar, Jacob & Co. wanted to create a model of our solar system in a watch. Thus, in the center of the dial is a 1.5-carat Jacob-cut citrine, representing the sun. Jacob & Co. also use amethyst, garnet, and three other gemstones in smoky quartz to represent other planets. These planets all rotate with the movement, making one revolution of the dial every 10 minutes. The end result of all these swirling elements is stunning and looks like a spinning mini solar system on your wrist.replica Franck Muller Vanguard Lady

The movement that makes it all possible is the in-house caliber JCAM19. Consisting of 444 parts, the movement is unique in that it is mainly made of titanium. Since the mainspring drives so many rotating parts, titanium is used to reduce the load on the mainspring. The tourbillon beats at 4 Hz and the JCAM19 has a power reserve of 48 hours. It's also immaculately finished, with sandblasted and beveled bridges, circular graining on the gear train components, and polished countersinks and screws.

When it comes to visual appeal and as a statement piece, the Astronomia Solar watch is unmatched. On the wrist, the watch screams "Look at me!" Of course, there's a lot to look at and appreciate about this watch. Admittedly, it's a bit of an exaggeration, and purists will argue that this watch serves no real purpose. For example, the positions of the planets are not exact, unlike Van Cleef & Arpel's Midnight Planetarium watch, but compared to the Midnight Planetarium watch, the Astronomia Solar provides instant gratification with its fast spinning biaxial tourbillon and the way it dials, it constantly changing position and movement. For a fun watch that instantly tells those around you how much you're worth, I can't think of a better watch for the job than the Jacob & Co. Astronomia Solar replica Watches uk.