A Watch Made for Yohan, A Legacy Rooted In India: Jacob & Co.’s Mastery Of Personalised Timepieces
4 min read
When haute horlogerie meets personal legacy, the result is nothing short of spectacular. Recently, industrialist Yohan Poonawalla received his latest Jacob & Co. creation, the extraordinary Opera Godfather Baguette. Facilitated by Ethos this special watch was unboxed in the presence of his family, with Jacob Arabo, founder and creative director of Jacob & Co. joining virtually. The timepiece was crafted especially for him, featuring a meticulous miniature Yohan seated at its centre. With the press of a diamond-set pusher, the watch comes alive: the movement rotates, a three-axis flying tourbillon takes centre stage, and the iconic Godfather theme plays on demand. It is a remarkable fusion of music, animation, and high jewellery that is unmistakably Yohan.
Yet, while this bespoke creation has taken the internet by storm, Jacob & Co. is no stranger to crafting deeply personal, culturally resonant timepieces. In fact, the luxury watchmaker has a storied history of looking toward Indian culture and its most prominent figures for inspiration.
The Vantara Watch: An Ode to Conservation and Anant Ambani
In a beautiful convergence of "responsible luxury" and technical achievement, Jacob & Co. created the $1.5 million Vantara watch. Designed to honour the Vantara Global Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Centre in Gujarat and its patron, Anant Ambani, this timepiece transforms conservation advocacy into wearable art. At its heart sits a hand-painted miniature of Anant Ambani, depicted in his signature blue floral shirt, flanked by miniature sculptures of a lion and a Bengal tiger. The dial itself is a kinetic marvel, featuring moving elements including an animated orb and a tiger. Encased in a striking green camouflage pattern achieved by setting 397 gemstones, including demantoid garnets, tsavorites, green sapphires, and white diamonds, the watch is a vibrant homage to the natural world and Ambani’s commitment to wildlife preservation. To read more about this watch, click here.
The World Is Yours: A Tribute to Salman Khan and Indian Heritage
Carrying forward the theme of generational tribute, Jacob & Co. collaborated with Bollywood superstar Salman Khan to unveil a special edition of The World Is Yours Dual Time Zone. Originally designed by Jacob Arabo to honour a watch gifted to him by his father, this special edition serves as a heartfelt tribute to Salman's father, acclaimed screenwriter Salim Khan. The 43mm rose gold timepiece features a laser-engraved world map with cobalt blue PVD oceans. As a salute to India, the dual time sub-dials are detailed with saffron and green accents, representing the Indian Tricolour. Adding an exclusive identity, the lower sub-dial bears Salman's initials (SK), and the caseback is engraved with his name. To complete the personal touch, the watch is presented in a custom turquoise box, redolent of the actor’s iconic silver and turquoise bracelet. This watch is available on the Ethos website.
The Epic X India Editions: Architectural and Spiritual Grandeur
Jacob & Co.'s appreciation for India extends beyond individuals to the nation's profound history and architectural marvels. Elevating this cultural reverence further, in collaboration with Ethos Jacob’s exclusive Ram Janmabhoomi Rose Gold Edition features intricate engravings that reflect the spiritual essence of the site. With a detailed relief of the temple on the dial and inscriptions of Hindu Gods adorning the dial and bezel, it seamlessly blends historical reverence with the contemporary, skeletonised design of the Epic X. This watch is available on the Ethos website.
The Epic X Sher-e-Punjab: A Horological Tribute to Sikh Heritage
Continuing its celebration of Indian heritage, Jacob & Co. launched the Epic X "Sher-e-Punjab" Edition, a powerful horological tribute to Sikh culture and the legacy of Punjab. Limited to just 50 pieces exclusively through Ethos Watches, the 44mm skeletonised timepiece is rich with sacred symbolism. The watch's vertical bridges are intricately engraved with a Roaring Lion, the Khanda, and the Ek Onkar to represent strength, spiritual sovereignty, and divine oneness, while the inner bezel features the sacred greeting "Sat Sri Akal." Paired with a vibrant blue rubber strap and powered by the intricate JCAM02 manual-winding skeleton calibre, the Sher-e-Punjab seamlessly blends high-end Swiss watchmaking with profound cultural identity. This watch can be found on the Ethos website. To read more about this watch, click here.
Jacob & Co. has mastered the art of transforming haute horlogerie into a highly personal storytelling medium. By weaving together the individual legacies of figures like Yohan Poonawalla, Anant Ambani, and Salman Khan with the architectural and spiritual grandeur of India, the brand transcends traditional watchmaking. These creations operate as more than mere instruments for measuring hours and minutes; they are wearable monuments to personal identity, cultural heritage, and human achievement, cementing Jacob & Co.'s unique position at the intersection of ultra-luxury and bespoke artistry.
