acob & Co.’s latest chronograph timepiece is the charismatic blue crown on top of the Epic X collection. The Epic X Chrono Tourbillon is housed in a full titanium case. Caseband, bezel, caseback and crown guards are made of the ultra light metal. It’s been satin-finished in directions following the general shape of each component: circular for the bezel, horizontal for the pusher guards, and in two directions for the lugs.

The metal has also been coated in blue thanks to a PVD surface treatment. Hard and scratch-proof to begin with, its properties have been enhanced by this coating whose role goes way beyond aesthetics.

Hints of the Epic’s design matrix are clearly visible. The claw-shaped lugs align with vertical bars on the translucent blue dial, creating the original X motif that gave the Epic X its name. These lugs are steeply inclined in order to seamlessly anchor the case on the wrist. A necessary precaution so this 47 mm timepiece fit the largest variety of arm-sizes possible.

Thanks to this design feature, the Epic X Chrono Tourbillon is able to sit on and stick to the smaller arms among the watch community. As a result, the overall impression of breadth and volume is not that of a 47 mm case. The sloped bezel and smaller aperture of the dial create the impression of a more diminutive timepiece.

Yet the idea behind this new addition to the Epic X collection is not to be shy, as is never the goal in a Jacob & Co. design. But being assertive and bold doesn’t preclude ergonomics, on the contrary. Therefore, the form and function of the Epic X Chrono Tourbillon go way beyond what meets the eye. For instance, a PVD blue coating on titanium makes it harder to wear and scratch. Yet this benefit comes second to the impression the shade itself leaves.

The shade of blue chosen for the Epic X Chrono Tourbillon is not a flashy, electric, nor a deep dark one, but rather a pleasingly light and refreshing tone, accentuated by a number of white secondary elements. The crown and pushers are carved in white ceramic, as are the side-inlays on each lug. The hands, both from the main and secondary dials, are skeletonized and white. And so is the rubber strap with a central honeycomb motif which is another throwback to the original Epic X design.

More than meets the eye again with the white, inner rotating minute track. Activated by the screw-down crown located at 10 o’clock, it allows the countdown of events, which is a complement to their chronographic timing. It also has a secondary, unexpected and discreet advantage.

Added to the fact that the titanium case is waterproof to 200 meters, it can be used as a protected, rotating bezel, making the Epic X Chrono Tourbillon a fully functional diving watch. This includes the last ten minutes on the minute ring being painted black, a useful feature for divers as it indicates their oxygen is about to run low.

Self-winding calibre JCAA09 is a brand new and exclusive Jacob & Co. movement. This column-wheel, two-pushers chronograph comes in a bi-compax format, with a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock. It comes as a complement to a Jacob & Co. one-minute flying tourbillon. With no upper bridge, the tourbillon cage sits at the same level as the sapphire and mineral glass dial.

This creates a continuous effect that contributes to the seamless integration of this tourbillon in the piece’s overall design. In the shape of a crescent, with an openworked structure, the upper side of the cage answers to a typical Jacob & Co. design, which also has the benefit of being light, a prerequisite on any Jacob & Co. tourbillon.

Calibre JCAA09 has been finished with a care worthy of a haute horlogerie movement. The movement bridges are polished, the mainplate is circular-grained, and the column wheel has been angled, polished and horizontal-grained. The main bridges of the calibre benefit from an exclusive decoration pattern. Inspired by the large X bars on the dial, it unites front and back in a single pattern spirit.

The openworked anthracite rotor bears a “Jacob & Co Genève” red lacquered engraving. Its shape is typical of the Epic X Chronographs series, and so is the colored mineral glass covering the back. It’s the exact same hue as the dial, and covered with a sapphire crystal for final protection and sealing.

Epic X Chrono Tourbillon is more than the sum of its numerous details. It’s a statement of watchmaking acumen, functionality and style, executed in a unique colorway, the Jacob way.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Movement:

• Caliber: Self-Winding, Jacob&Co JCAA09, Semi-Skeleton, Column Wheel, Bi-Compax Chronograph
• Diameter: 33.20 mm
• Height: 8.50 mm
• Components: 278
• Functions: Hours, Minutes, Small-Seconds at 9 o’clock; Chronograph with 30- Minute Counter at 3 o’clock; Flying Tourbillon at 6 o’clock; Rotating Inner Bezel Ring Timer.
• Power Reserve: 48 Hours
• Frequency: 28’800 vph (4 Hz)
• Jewels: 29
• Finishing: Engraved Movement Bridges; Open Barrel; Column-Wheel finishes: Angled, Polished and Drawn; Anthracite Rotor with Red Lacquered Engraving “Jacob & Co Genève”, Circular-Grained Mainplate.

Case:

• Diameter: 47 mm
• Height: 14 mm
• Components: 61
• Material: Titanium with Blue PVD Coating; White Ceramic Lug-inlays, Pushers and Crown
• Case Back: Sapphire Glass and Blue Mineral Crystal
• Crystal: Sapphire with Anti-Reflective Treatment
• Water resistance: 200 m (660 ft)

Dial & Hands:

• Dial: Blue Mineral Crystal; Satin-Finished White Aluminium Inner Ring
• Hands: Openworked, White, Red-tipped ; Red Chronograph Hand

Strap & Clasp:

• Strap: Rubber with Honeycomb Openworked Pattern
• Clasp: Titanium Deployment Clasp

Retail Price: $120,000