Astronomia Dragon & Phoenix

STORY
When the Astronomia Tourbillon was introduced in 2014, the re-invention of the tourbillon in a vertical orientation and the constant turning of its four satellites garnered most of the attention.

What led to the development of the Astronomia Art Collection, however, is the incredible sapphire crystal and precious metal case, which puts everything on display.

So, the idea was to develop special works of art to put inside the Astronomia Tourbillon, using its massive sapphire crystal case as a gallery, while still highlighting the incredible Astronomia tourbillon movement. The brand started with dragons, octopi, spiders, horses and more. Incredibly successful, Jacob & Co. has expanded the Astronomia Tourbillon Art Collection every year since.

HIGH WATCHMAKING SERVING HIGH ART
The Astronomia Art Dragon and Phoenix, representing the perfect balance of yin and yang, showcases the incredible 3-D bas relief hand-engraved work in 18K rose gold within the Astronomia Tourbillon sapphire crystal and 18K gold case.

Working with 18K rose gold is a challenge, and Jacob & Co.’s master engraver exceeded all expectations. The incredible engraving of the dragon and phoenix took months of pain-staking work, because any misstep or mistake meant starting over from scratch.

As soon as the engraver is done, the miniature painter takes over, bringing the engravings to life. The result is a masterpiece of the engraver’s and the miniature painter’s art.

THE TOURBILLON
The tourbillon is widely considered the ultimate complication, as it turns and spins to counter the effects of gravity on the precision of the movement. For the Astronomia Collection, Jacob & Co. has taken the tourbillon one step farther, introducing additional axes in which the tourbillon turns. For the Astronomia Art Dragon and Phoenix, the tourbillon is triple-axis – turning in two axes: one in 60 seconds and the second in 2.5 minutes and the third going around the dial in 10 minutes.

CUSTOMIZATION
Customization and bespoke work has been the foundation of Jacob & Co. since the beginning and continues to this day. The brand has created a number of Astronomia Art pieces – Dragons, Spiders, Octopi, Horses, Tigers, world cities and more. Visit any Jacob & Co. point of sale or contact the brand directly to inquire.

The Astronomia Art Collection has become an icon within the brand and collectors look to Jacob & Co. to see what’s coming next. The Astronomia Art is a showcase of Jacob & Co.’s commitment to using traditional métiers d’art in a modern way.

THE JACOB-CUT DIAMOND
Jacob & Co. has been on the forefront of using precious stones since its founding in 1986, and has developed a number of special cuts and setting techniques. For the Astronomia Tourbillon, the brand developed the 288-facet Jacob-cut diamond. This special cut can be accomplished by only a select few gem cutters, and the rough stone typically starts out double the size of the finished diamond. The facets have to be incredibly precise so the diamond is perfectly symmetrical and round. In the Astronomia Art, the one carat Jacob-cut diamond rotates on itself in 30 seconds.

THE MAGNESIUM GLOBE
The globe is made of magnesium to ensure consistency in weight, as all four satellites have to weigh exactly the same. The globe rotates on itself in 30 seconds.

CASE & CRYSTAL
The Astronomia Art Dragon and Phoenix’s case measures 50 millimeters in diameter and 25 millimeters thick between the highest point of its specially curved front sapphire crystal and the lowest point of its case. Crafted from 18K Rose Gold, the case features four sapphire crystal windows installed throughout the periphery, allowing for unhindered viewing of the spectacular caliber and the artwork inside.

DIAL & HANDS
The time display sub-dial of the Astronomia Art Dragon and Phoenix is driven through an infinitesimal differential system that allows it to always remain in the correct, 12/6 position as it rotates together with the movement’s four-armed platform across the front of the Astronomia. The Roman numerals on the skeletonized dial are hand-engraved and filled with black lacquer, while the hand-finished hands appear in gun blue metallic.

AT A GLANCE:
3-D hand-engraved and hand-painted bas relief Dragon and Phoenix dial.
Iconic gravitational triple-axis tourbillon.
Four satellite arms turn around the dial in 10 minutes.
288-facet Jacob-cut diamond turning in 30 seconds.
Magnesium globe turning in 30 seconds.
Patented differential keeps the time display in the right orientation.
Domed and curved, anti-reflective sapphire crystal.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Item Number: AT100.40.AC.UE.B
MOVEMENT: Exclusive Jacob & Co. Manual Winding JCAM18; Diameter: 40mm; Height: 17.15mm; Components: 365; Weight: 13 grams; Material: Titanium; Power Reserve: 60-Hours; Frequency: 21’600 vib/h (3 Hz); Jewels: 42; System: Triple Axis Gravitational Tourbillon; Finishing: Plate and Bridges: Hand Angled and Polished, Flank Draw, Circular Graining, Polished Sink; Polished Screws; Barrel: Circular Graining; Pinions: Conical Pinions; 4 Mechanical Ball Bearing Devices; Flat Balance Spring.

FUNCTIONS: Hours, Minutes Dial Rotating in 10 min on the Central Axis, Patented Differential Gears System; Faceted Spherical Diamond Rotating in 30 sec on 2 axes (Weight: 1 carat; 288 Patented Facets Exclusive Jacob Cut) Magnesium Lacquered Globe rotating in 30sec on 2 axes; Gravitational Tourbillion Cage Rotating on 3 axes: • 1st Axis: in 60sec, • 2nd Axis: in 2.5min, • 3rd Axis: Central Axe in 10min.

CASE: Diameter: 50mm; Thickness: 25mm; Material: 18K Rose Gold; Sapphire Apertures on Sides Case Back: 18K Black Gold; Bows: Winding and Time- Setting via 18K Rose Gold lift-out rotating “bows” at case back; Skylayer Front Case: Hand engraved 18K Rose Gold Dragon & Phoenix Design, Hand Painted; Crystal: Unique Domed Sapphire with Anti-reflective Treatment.

DIAL & HANDS: Dial: Titanium Dial, Hand Angled and Polished, Lacquered Indexes; Hands: Hand Finished Gun Blue.
STRAP & CLASP: Alligator; 18K Rose Gold Folding Buckle.
REMARKS: Water resistant to 30m (ISO 2281); 2-year warranty.
LIMITED EDITION: Pièce Unique