Here is one special watch for all lovers of opera and music boxes. The making of music boxes had been, and still is, a traditional Swiss craft for hundreds of years. In the Opera, Jacob & Co. has combined this artisanal work with high watchmaking for the very first time incorporating two cylinders and combs resulting in 120 notes melody providing a never heard before sound in a musical watch.
Jacob & Co.s Opera Musical Watch
Using a sophisticated one-piece sapphire crystal that encircles the whole timepiece,the entire workings of the Opera are put on display for all to see and it also allows the movement to deliver the purest sound.
The two cylinders are driven by a central flywheel – a real challenge for the movement, due to the weight of the cylinders. A pusher located at 2 o’clock activates the rotation of the entire movement and simultaneously plays the 120 notes melody. Each note is played as the tiny pins on the cylinder make contact with the individual teeth of the comb. As the cylinders turn to play the melody, the entire assembly on which they are fixed, including the Triple Axis tourbillon and the hour and minute dial, rotates 120 degrees around the dial. The tourbillon rotates around its inner cage once in 40 seconds, its intermediates cage rotates in 3 minutes and its outer cage rotates in 8 minutes. Finally, in order to display the time with 12 o’clock always in the 12 o’clock position, a patented differential gear system is used; both the dial and the hands have to turn counter-clockwise.
Jacob & Co.s Opera Musical Watch
The manually wound calibre JCFM02 has been developed specifically for this complication, using titanium components for excellent sound propagation. The movement, which comprises 650 components, fits into a diameter of just 43mm. A pusher based at 2 o’clock on the case middle triggers the melody and thus the rotation of the movement. Regardless of whether or not the melody is playing, the triple-axis tourbillon dances its incessant mechanical ballet.
The Jacob & Co. Opera Musical Watch comes in two different versions, one 18-piece limited edition that is minimalist in its presentation with black and gold highend finishes, showing the mechanical workings. The other, unique piece version allows decorations on the cylinders. Indeed, the piece depicts a romantic gala night with
Jacob & Co.s Opera Musical Watch
an orchestra.
