Jacob & Co. Astronomia Regulateur

Jacob & Co. recognized for producing some of the most elaborate and mechanically sophisticated watches, often garner attention for their unique aesthetics, which can evoke diverse reactions—like the Astronomia collection. The introduction of the Astronomia watch in 2014 at Baselworld marked a significant moment, offering an artistic representation of the cosmos through a design featuring planetary bodies in continuous orbit, powered by a complex multiple-axis tourbillon.

This innovative approach led to the development of a series of Astronomia watches, each introducing new mechanical features and thematic designs. In this vein, Jacob & Co. introduced an exceptional version of the traditional regulator watch, presented in a three-dimensional format and finished in rose gold and blue.

Historically central to the precise timekeeping required in watchmaking workshops and observatories, Regulator clocks were designed to facilitate accurate time reading. These clocks, known for their unique layout that separated the display of hours, minutes, and seconds, often placed the minute hand prominently in the centre. Today, the term “regulator” is applied to watches that feature similar distinct displays for time measurement, with a focus on a central minute display.

The Astronomia Regulateur is a continuation of Jacob & Co.’s exploration of carousel movements. This timepiece features a rotating mechanism with three arms: one supports a one-minute flying tourbillon, while the other two carry displays for minutes and hours, crafted in blue translucent material. Given their rotation, these sub-dials would typically face readability issues; however, through differential gears, the dials are rotated counter to the platform’s motion, maintaining their upright position for legibility. The seconds are indicated by a golden hand on a blue translucent ring that completes a counter-clockwise rotation every 60 seconds.

This model introduces a platform rotation speed of 60 seconds, an evolution from previous Astronomia watches that featured slower rotation speeds. Achieving such rapid rotation required addressing significant technical challenges, especially in power management.

To accommodate the substantial energy demands of this rotation, the movement integrates a mechanism capable of storing and regulating large amounts of power. The force output from the mainspring, which varies from strong when fully wound to weaker as it unwinds, can affect the precision of timekeeping. To mitigate this, Jacob & Co. implemented a constant force mechanism that stabilizes the power delivered to the balance wheel. This system, which recharges an intermediate spring six times a second, ensures accurate timekeeping by maintaining a consistent rotation speed for the platform.

The calibre JCAM56 powers the Astronomia Regulateur, representing the slimmest movement within the Astronomia series to date. This allowed for the creation of a more wearable Astronomia model, with dimensions of 43 mm in diameter and 18 mm in thickness. The watch’s case, made of rose gold and featuring open-worked lugs and two large sapphire elements, offers views of the movement from various angles. Offered with an alligator strap and a rose gold folding clasp, the Jacob & Co. Astronomia Regulateur comes as a limited edition of 250 pieces.