Turbocharged Innovation: Jacob & Co.’s New Astronomia Revolution Four-Axis Tourbillon Shatters Boundaries

This year, Jacob & Co. is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its Astronomia collection. To be precise, the Astronomia Tourbillon was launched at Baselworld in 2015. Housed in a 47 mm 18 ct red gold case, this piece featured a unique 3D dial. At the centre of the deep blue aventurine dial rested a four-armed carrier, with each arm holding a tourbillon, a balance, and miniature representations of the Earth and the Moon. The carrier rotated its four arms around the watch face, completing a full cycle every 20 minutes; the tourbillon, the balance, the Earth, and the Moon rotated on their own axes as well.

Over the past 10 years, the brand has expanded the Astronomia line with elaborate iterations, incorporating celestial complications, artistic collaborations, and even high jewellery elements, all the while retaining the collection’s DNA. In other words, Astronomia has been an integral part of the brand’s efforts to push the boundaries of haute horlogerie with audacity and spectacle. The just-launched 18-piece limited-edition Astronomia Revolution Four-Axis Tourbillon (Ref. AT180.40.AB.AA.A) carries forward this rich legacy.

The new Astronomia Revolution timepiece preserves Jacob & Co.'s signature style. The 47 mm rose gold casing is 27 mm thick and protected by a highly domed anti-reflective sapphire crystal. Sapphire windows around the casing reveal the intricate movement from various angles. The dial-side backplate is identical to that of its predecessor, Jacob & Co. Astronomia Tourbillon, boasting rose gold honeycomb plates that have been mirror-polished. Unlike the previous Astronomia Revolution iteration, the latest variant lacks the steel arrow-shaped hand with a synthetic ruby. Each shape is cut like a gem with their culet facing up. 

The carousel containing the tourbillon and time display at the core of this wild Astronomia Revolution completes a full rotation every 60 seconds, a significant improvement over the original 2015 Astronomia's 20-minute rotation. This has been achieved through a one-sixth of a second constant-force device and a time display differential. A triple-axis flying tourbillon, mounted atop the revolving carousel, now adds a fourth axis to the ballet, with its movements alternating between 60 seconds (primary plate), 18 seconds, 15 seconds, and 60 seconds. 

The skeletonised time dial, crafted from red polycarbonate, features applied Arabic hour markers for 9 o’clock, 6 o’clock, and 3 o’clock, and rose gold dauphine hands. At the end of another satellite arm lies the hour and minute dial. The platform rotation would normally shift the numbers and make their reading impossible. That’s why Jacob & Co. has fitted the dial with a patented differential system. It spins in the opposite direction of the platform, at the same speed. As a result, it remains constantly upright and readable. Powering the watch is Caliber JCAM54, a hand-wound vertical three-dimensional movement with a rotating platform. It is the fastest rotating platform in the Astronomia collection; it completes one full spin every 60 seconds. Unlike all other Astronomias, it has only two arms. This reduces weight, saves energy and preserves the 36-hour power reserve.

Furthermore, this timepiece does not feature any visible crown; the movement is wound and time is set via two flip-up keys at the caseback. The energy flowing through Caliber JCAM54 is massive, as it powers the entire platform at record speed. This energy is too strong for the escapement, which is the part of the movement in charge of actually counting time. In order to protect it, Jacob & Co. has patented a constant-force device of a new type. Acting as a remontoire, the device stores the energy the escapement needs in a buffer, and releases it with the exact strength required. This buffer is reloaded every 1/6th of a second, making it the fastest one available. Last but not least, this watch is finished on a red alligator leather strap with an 18 ct rose gold deployment buckle.