The latest chapter in horological spectacle arrives with Jacob & Co.’s Astronomia Solar Dragon—an extraordinary timepiece that merges artisanal sculpture, intricate mechanism, and celestial elegance into a wearable work of art. This refined rendition of the Astronomia series shrinks its once monumental presentation into a more compact, yet no less mesmerizing, form.
At its core, the watch carries a bold 44 mm case that stands 21 mm thick, available either in 18-carat rose gold or black DLC-coated titanium. The case features a solid caseback, a domed sapphire crystal, and a sapphire caseband, all treated with anti-reflective coating. It holds up to 30 meters of water resistance, ensuring both durability and sophistication.
The focal point is the hand-crafted dragon sculpture—cast in three solid parts of 18k rose gold. Expert artisans engrave the scales and claws, then polish and paint each element by hand. In the rose gold versions, vivid color accents bring the dragon to life; in the titanium variants, a full black DLC finish lends a stark, modern presence. The dragon circles the movement so closely—less than half a millimeter away from the mechanical arms—that it creates a stunning tension between sculpture and movement, visible through both the case top and side.
Beneath this dramatic tableau lies a titanium baseplate decorated with a star map in gold lettering: blue on the rose gold version, black on titanium. At the center, a Jacob-cut gemstone with 288 facets functions as both a luminous centerpiece and signature emblem—yellow in the rose-gold models, uniquely hued in each of the limited titanium pieces.
Mechanically, the Astronomia Solar Dragon relies on the hand-wound calibre JCAM42, built from 296 individual components. Unlike earlier Astronomia calibers, this one sits static: three arms project from the center—one bearing a one-minute flying tourbillon, another supporting a skeletonized, off-center time display, and the third housing a rotating magnesium globe that spins once per minute. The movement ticks at 28,800 vibrations per hour and delivers a power reserve of approximately 48 hours.
The alligator leather strap matches the case material and ends in a pin buckle in rose gold or black DLC-coated titanium. The rose gold edition is limited to 36 pieces, while only four unique titanium versions are available—each distinguished by its central gemstone.
This watch stands as a bold artistic and technical statement: a sculpted Asian dragon intertwined with haute horlogerie, elevated by celestial design elements and exceptional mechanical complexity—all contained in a wearable, dramatic composition.
