A simply phenomenal tour-de-force of engineering, this unique Jacob & Co. ‘Astronomia Flawless’ can only be described as awe-inspiring. The revolving four-arm vertical movement appears to ‘float’ within the transparent case - an immense and highly impressive watchmaking achievement. Each of the four arms has a unique complication exclusive to Jacob & Co.: a magnesium and hand-lacquered globe of the earth, a spherical-shaped diamond with 288 facets known as the ‘Jacob-Cut’, a patented triple-axis tourbillon, and a dial for the hours and minutes with a patented timepiece-differential gear system.

The present watch offers Christie's clients and collectors the singular opportunity to obtain this extraordinary Jacob & Co. masterpiece that is furthermore accompanied by the full set of accessories.

The ‘Astronomia Flawless’ is in fact named after the magnificent case that is made entirely of sapphire crystal thus allowing an unhindered view of the spectacular and visually mesmerizing movement and triple-axis tourbillon. Of course the word ‘flawless’ usually refers to the highest grade of diamond clarity and this unique timepiece does not disappoint, the movement is set with two important glittering diamonds; the first is a GIA Certified D-Colour flawless round brilliant cut diamond of 3.02 carats set in the centre on the top of the movement, the second is the ravishing spherical 1.00 carat ‘Jacob Cut’ diamond with an incredible 288 facets. This diamond, which is located on one of the four satellites must be cut not only to the special spherical shape but must also weigh exactly the same as each of the other three satellites; time display; triple-axis tourbillon; magnesium globe. To achieve this amazing triumph of diamond cutting takes a skilled craftsman at least two weeks of dedicated, painstaking work. The globe of the earth is made of magnesium coated with hand-painted blue lacquer and completed with white gold continents. Each pair of opposing arms are perfectly calculated counterweights of one another and even the smallest variation in weight would cause the movement to malfunction. The fact that the caliber JCAM24 movement runs apparently effortlessly is a testament to the peerless engineering, mathematical and design skills of Jacob & Co’s craftsmen. The manual triple-axis tourbillon is constructed with a delicately decorated openworked cage that carries the balance wheel and escapement which rotates on three axes simultaneously. A full rotation on the 1st axis takes exactly 60 seconds, as in the traditional single-axis tourbillon. The 2nd axis of rotation requires 2.5 minutes to complete, while the 3rd axis of rotation is made possible by the 10-minute, four-arm rotating platform of the Astronomia movement – a new and boldly original method of tourbillon function.

In the words of Jacob & Co. –
“The Astronomia is the embodiment of 21st century ultra-high-end watchmaking and a globally recognized symbol of Jacob & Co watchmaking expertise. A world-first both in the boldness of its unprecedented concept and its entirely mechanical construction, the Astronomia has gone beyond impressive horological achievements to becoming an outstanding multidisciplinary engineering accomplishment.”