STORY
The tradition of automatons in watchmaking is long and varied, normally with a very traditional focus. Jacob & Co. excels in traditional watchmaking with a modern twist, which perfectly describes the Oil Pump Green. It’s a traditional automaton with a contemporary subject: the oil industry.
“I have many, many friends in the oil business, who came to me to develop something special for them,” says Jacob Arabo. “I saw what was on the market and I knew they wanted something more interesting and cooler. I had been talking with my engineers for three years to design this. What we have come up with is the real thing, it takes you straight to the oil fields.”
The two 18K gold derricks move on demand, and there is even an “oil reserve” on the dial of the watch that serves as a power reserve indicator.
Several of the elements on the dial are in green, including a replica of an oil pressure gauge that serves as a power reserve indicator, the oil barrel, and the subdial time display with Arabic hour markers.
DOUBLE-AXIS TOURBILLON
The tourbillon was originally invented to improve the timekeeping performance for a pocket watch. The Astronomia Tourbillon brings this 200-plus-year-old complication to breathtaking levels of modern refinement and complexity.
The double-axis tourbillon of the Astronomia Oil Pump Green is at the forefront of modern watchmaking. The delicately decorated cage encapsulates the balance wheel, hairspring, escape wheel and several other important components. Characterized by this openworked cage, this outstanding tourbillon rotates on two axes simultaneously. It is a constellation of superbly finished components that, when expertly assembled and fine-tuned, allows the Astronomia caliber to keep accurate time throughout its 60-hour power reserve. A full rotation on the first axis takes exactly 60 seconds and the second axis of rotation requires 2.5 minutes to complete.
AUTOMATA
The pusher at two o’clock starts the two derricks moving, pumping up and down. The Oil Pump modernizes traditional automaton with two oil derricks that move up and down in unison. It operates on demand by depressing the pusher which charges the power reserve for the automaton and sets them into action.
CASE
The 49.5mm 18K rose gold case features a domed, double anti-reflective sapphire crystal on top. The watch is set and wound via two 18K rose gold bows in the case back.
DIAL
The backdrop of the dial is a grill evocative of oil rigs, offering a glimpse of the high-watchmaking movement beneath. A system of 18K rose gold pipes and wheels connects the various elements. Several of these elements are in green, including a replica of an oil pressure gauge that serves as a power reserve indicator, the oil barrel, and the subdial time display with Arabic hour markers.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
ITEM NUMBER: OI100.40.AA.AB.A
MOVEMENT: Exclusive Manufacture Jacob&Co Manual-Winding JCAM33; Diameter: 42.80mm; Height: 15mm; Material: Steel, brass and titanium; Components: 510; Power Reserve: 60-Hours; Frequency: 21’600 vib/h (3 Hz); Jewels: 60; Finishing: Bridges and plates: Shot-blasted and Black PVD finish; Barrels: Circular graining; Screws: Angled Bevel and Mirror Polished.
FUNCTIONS: Double-axis Tourbillon Cage:
• 1st Axis: Full Revolution in 60 seconds
• 2nd Axis: Full Revolution in 2.5min
• “Derrick” animation on demand (pusher at 2 o’clock).
CASE: Diameter: 49.5mm; Height: 20mm; Material: 18K Rose Gold and Sapphire; Case Back: 18K Rose Gold; Bows: Winding and Time-Setting via two Bows on the Case Back; Crystal: Unique Domed Sapphire with Double Anti-Reflective Treatment; Water resistance: 30m (3atm).
DIAL & HANDS: Dial: Grill shaped base dial; Hour/Minute Dial with central sapphire crystal; Arabic numerals index; 18K Rose Gold plated Derricks; Green Barrel and 18K Rose Gold Pipelines; Power Reserve Indication at 3 o’clock; Hands: 18K Rose Gold Jacob&Co designed hands.
STRAP & CLASP: Strap: Alligator; Clasp: 18K Rose Gold and Titanium Folding clasp.
LIMITED EDITION: 88 pieces