Jacob & Co. innovate and differentiate its products in the highly competitive high-end watch market

Jacob & Co. innovate and differentiate its products in the highly competitive high-end watch market

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Welcome back, everybody.

(00:01):
We're diving into the world of luxury watches, specifically
Jacob & Co.
Oh, yeah.
Jacob & Co, they're really in a league of their own.
So we're trying to figure out how they set themselves apart
in this really, really competitive market.
And luckily, we got our hands on a recent interview
with the founder himself, Jacob Erebo.
Yeah, that's a great starting point.

(00:22):
Let's jump in.
One thing that Erebo kept coming back to
was this idea of rarity and exclusivity, especially when
it comes to the materials, the gemstones
they use in their watches.
Right, and it's not just about slapping
some diamonds on a watch face.
It goes way deeper than that.
What do you mean?
Well, they're all about sourcing the rarest, the most
incredible gems you can imagine.

(00:42):
OK, yeah, give us an example.
The billionaire watches.
Ever heard of them?
Oh, yeah, the ones totally covered in rubies or emeralds.
Exactly, and not just any rubies and emeralds.
We're talking all natural, unheated stones.
Apparently, those are even tougher to find than top
quality diamonds these days.
Wait, seriously, harder to find than diamonds?
That's what Erebo said.

(01:04):
And get this, just to make two of those billionaire watches,
it took them three years to find enough matching rubies
and emeralds.
Three years?
Yeah.
To find the stones.
Wow, so you can see why those pieces are basically
collector's items from the get-go.
Oh, absolutely, that commitment to using such rare materials,

(01:25):
it really adds to that whole aura of exclusivity
around the brand.
But what's really impressive is how
they combine that luxury with crazy innovation.
Yeah, I think that's what's really interesting, how they
don't just rely on luxury.
Exactly, and a perfect example of that
is the Astronomia collection.
Oh, yeah, those are wild.
I remember seeing one with this rotating movement that took,

(01:45):
like, 20 minutes to complete a full rotation.
It was like a little planetarium,
right there on your wrist.
Right.
But they didn't stop there.
They went on to make models that complete a rotation in 10
minutes, then five minutes, and hold on tight.
Yeah.
They even made one that does a full rotation in one minute.
Whoa, hold on, a one minute rotation, for real?
Yep, it's like they're trying to break the sound barrier,

(02:05):
but for watches?
That must take some serious engineering to pull off.
Oh, for sure.
To achieve that speed and still have the watch
run for 48 hours on a single wind,
it's a huge accomplishment.
No kidding.
So it's obvious they're not just sitting back and relying
on the luxury aspect, but how does all that innovation
translate into what the watches actually look like?

(02:26):
What makes a Jacob & Co watch stand out visually?
Well, think bold, intricate, over the top.
OK.
Like, could you be more specific?
OK, so picture their caviar watches.
They're covered in these beautiful, colorful gemstones,
arranged almost like a mosaic.
So you're basically wearing a piece of art on your wrist.
Exactly.
And then you've got the Bugatti Chiron Rainbow Edition,

(02:47):
a watch so unique, Arabo had to get special permission
from Bugatti to actually make it.
OK.
Starting to get a sense of your style now.
Definitely not for someone who wants to blend in.
But with all these rare gems and complex mechanisms
we've been talking about, I have a feeling
we're about to enter, if you have to ask,
you can't afford it territory.
Yeah, you're probably right about that.

(03:09):
So come on, spill the beans.
What are we talking about here, price-wise?
Well, let's just say these timepieces can
range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars.
Millions, wow.
Yeah, but that's part of what makes Jacob & Co. so
interesting, right?
They're not just playing in the luxury watch market.
They're at the absolute top of it,
where the price tag almost doesn't matter

(03:30):
compared to the pursuit of that ultimate exclusivity
and innovation.
So how do they justify those price tags?
What makes these watches worth that kind of money?
It's a lot of things combined.
You've got the rarity and quality of the materials,
obviously.
Then you have the sheer complexity
of those watch movements, plus the fact
that they make very limited runs of each model

(03:51):
and the artistry that goes into each piece.
But there's also this intangible element,
like a certain mystique, a prestige that comes
with owning a Jacob & Co. watch.
Yeah, it's more than just a watch.
It's a statement piece.
Exactly.
It's not just telling time.
It's about showing off your individuality, your taste.
But with all this emphasis on technology and luxury,
I'm wondering, do these watches still

(04:13):
have that personal touch?
Or is it all about machines and million dollar stones?
That's what surprised me most in that interview.
You'd think with a brand this big,
it would all be about the image, right?
But there's this genuine sense of passion behind it all.
Erebo's really hands on, deeply involved in the design
and creation of each watch.
He personally examines each and every gemstone,

(04:36):
obsesses over every detail.
So it's not just a business for him.
It's a passion project.
Exactly.
And I think that's a huge part of what
makes Jacob & Co. different.
They found a way to combine cutting edge tech, artistry,
with a genuine love for the craft, which is something
you don't see every day, especially
at that level of luxury.
That's a really cool insight.

(04:56):
It seems like Jacob & Co. is always
pushing the limits, both technically
and in terms of their design.
But where do they go from here?
What does the future hold for a brand that's already
operating at such a high level?
Well, to figure that out, we need
to take a closer look at some of the specific innovations
they've pioneered.
And there's one in particular that stands out,
the four-axis tourbillon.
Now, you might be thinking, what in the world is a tourbillon?

(05:18):
Yeah, I was going to ask.
It sounds pretty complicated.
It is.
But basically, it's this tiny little rotating cage
inside the watch that holds the escapement.
That's like the heart of the watch,
what keeps it ticking precisely.
OK, so it's like a mini marvel of engineering
within an already super complex watch.
Exactly.
And the reason they use a tourbillon
is to fight against gravity.

(05:40):
You see, gravity can actually affect the accuracy of a watch.
Really?
Yeah, so the tourbillon spins around
to counter those effects.
So it's constantly moving to make sure
the watch stays accurate.
Right.
Now, regular tourbillons, they usually
rotate on a single axis.
But Jacob and Co, they went all out and created
a four-axis tourbillon.
Four axis?
Seriously.
That sounds like something out of Star Trek.

(06:02):
How does that even?
It's wild.
Imagine this.
The tourbillon cage, it rotates on its own axis, right?
But then that whole thing rotates around another axis.
And then that whole mechanism rotates around yet another axis.
And to top it all off, the entire thing
rotates around your wrist.
Whoa, hold on.
My brain just exploded.
It's crazy, right?

(06:22):
It's like this intricate, multi-dimensional dance
happening right there on your wrist.
Yeah, a symphony of motion.
That's a great way to put it.
And it's not just for show either.
This four-axis tourbillon, it really works.
It counteracts the effects of gravity from every direction,
makes the watch even more accurate.
It's beautiful and functional.
I love that.
It seems like Jacob and Co was always

(06:43):
finding these awesome ways to blend artistry and engineering.
But speaking of artistry, let's talk about color.
Oh, yeah.
Color is a big deal for Jacob and Co.
It's not just about using bright gemstones either.
What do you mean?
Well, they really get how different colors work together,
how they complement each other.
They create watches that are visually stunning
and, well, kind of evoke emotions too.

(07:03):
Like those caviar watches.
I'm picturing those colorful gemstones
arranged like a mosaic.
Exactly.
Every caviar watch is a masterpiece, honestly.
Those gemstones are so carefully selected,
so perfectly arranged.
It's like having a little piece of art on your wrist changing
and shimmering with every movement.
It's like wearable art, for real.
And that reminds me of the Bugatti Chiron Rainbow Edition.

(07:25):
Now, that's a watch that knows how to use color.
Absolutely.
And it's not just slapping on some colorful gems
and calling it a day.
They really understand how to use color gradation,
how to create this visually stunning composition.
You know, I read somewhere that Erbo
had to convince Bugatti to let him make a rainbow
version of that Chiron watch.

(07:46):
Apparently, Bugatti isn't exactly known
for loving bright colors, right?
That's right.
Bugatti wasn't so sure about it at first.
But Erbo, he's got this passion, this vision,
and he won them over.
He showed them how the rainbow design wasn't just
a random choice.
It was meant to capture the power of that Chiron engine,
each color symbolizing a different part of its performance.

(08:06):
Wow.
I really see that personal touch in everything they do.
He's not just designing watches.
He's telling a story, creating an experience through them.
But all this talk of artistry and innovation
makes me wonder, what about functionality?
Are these watches more about making a statement than, you
know, actually being a watch?
That's a great question.

(08:27):
And it really gets to the heart of what
makes Jacob & Co. so unique.
They've actually managed to create watches
that are both crazy functional and undeniably artistic.
Take the Astronomia collection, for instance.
Those rotating movements, all the celestial displays.
Exactly.
It's definitely a spectacle, visually.
But those movements are also rooted in serious watchmaking

(08:49):
principles.
It shows they really know their stuff when it comes
to complex watchmaking techniques.
So it's not a situation where it's just about looks, right?
They actually found that sweet spot between form and function.
Exactly, they've hit that perfect balance.
So these watches appeal to hardcore watch enthusiasts
and art collectors alike.
I think that's what really sets Jacob & Co. apart

(09:09):
from everyone else in the high-end market.
They're not just selling luxury.
They're selling innovation, artistry,
and this passion for pushing the limits of watchmaking.
Yeah, I'm definitely starting to see why
those watches are so expensive.
They're more than just timepieces.
They're like wearable pieces of art
with a level of craftsmanship and innovation
that's off the charts.

(09:31):
But how do they stay so exclusive, so luxurious,
when so many other brands are trying to do the same thing?
Well, a big part of it is their commitment
to using the absolute best materials.
We've already talked about the rare gemstones,
but it's more than that.
They're super picky about every single component,
like the metals used in the cases, the bracelets,
even down to those intricate watch movements.

(09:51):
So it's like this perfect storm of amazing materials,
cutting-edge technology, and artistic vision
that sets them apart.
You got it.
And that's how they manage to make watches that are not just
luxurious, but truly one-of-a-kind collector's items.
It's been really cool talking about the watches,
the technology, the art.
But I'm curious about the man behind it all, Jacob Erboh.

(10:12):
What's he like?
And how does his personality come through in his creations?
He seems like a guy with an incredible eye for detail
and this drive to just push the boundaries of what's possible.
Oh, totally.
You can just feel his passion for his work in that interview.
He's not just some businessman.
He's a real artist, an innovator.
And that's clear in every single watch they make.

(10:34):
He was talking about how he personally checks every gemstone,
makes sure it meets his standards,
and he spends hours and hours with his team,
the engineers, the designers, coming up
with these groundbreaking new features.
Wow.
It's amazing how involved he is in the whole process.
It really shows how much care they put into each watch.
Yeah.
But it also makes me wonder that all this focus on innovation,
on pushing the boundaries of luxury,

(10:56):
do you think there's a risk of, I don't know,
maybe losing sight of the traditional side of watchmaking?
That's a good point.
But honestly, I think Jacob and Co. has found a way
to balance those two things, tradition and innovation.
They're definitely not afraid to experiment,
you know, to push the limits.
But they also have this deep respect
for the history, the craftsmanship of watchmaking.

(11:17):
For example, even though they're known for those really
out there designs, they still use
a lot of those classic techniques,
the skills that have been passed down
through generations of watchmakers.
So they're not just tossing out the old ways.
They're building on them, taking those traditions
and, well, pushing them into the future.
Exactly.
And that's what makes them so exciting.

(11:38):
They're not just following trends.
They're setting them, always moving the industry forward,
inspiring new watchmakers, new collectors.
You know, we spent a lot of time talking about the watches
themselves.
But it's important to recognize the impact Jacob and Co.
has had on the whole luxury watch market.
I mean, they've really changed how people think about watches.
It's not just a tool to tell time anymore.

(11:59):
It's like a wearable work of art, a way
to express yourself, your taste.
Totally agree.
They've really shaped how we see luxury watches.
It's not just about the price tag or the brand name.
It's about creativity, innovation,
pushing the boundaries of what a watch can be.
And that brings us back to you, our listeners.

(12:19):
What did you think of this deep dive
into the world of Jacob and Co.?
What really stood out to you?
Maybe it was their commitment to using only the finest
materials, or their drive to innovate,
to achieve that technical mastery.
Or perhaps you were drawn to those bold designs,
the passion that shines through in everything they create.
Whatever it was, we hope you learned something new,

(12:39):
that you have a deeper appreciation for the artistry
and the skill that goes into making these high-end watches.
And for people like Jacob Arabo, the visionaries
who are always pushing the limits of this incredible world.
Because in the world of luxury watches,
time isn't just something you measure.
It's something you experience, something to savor,
and to adorn with the most exquisite expressions

(13:01):
of human ingenuity.
Well said.
Until next time, everyone, keep exploring.
Keep asking questions.
Keep diving deep into the things that sparked your curiosity.
And let your imagination soar.