Watches are categorized as “accessories,” but such a definition is limiting for an item costing up to a million dollars. And to wear it you need personality.
accessory. The Treccani dictionary defines it this way: “What accompanies what is or is considered to be principal, thus secondary, marginal, complementary and sim.” More precisely, clothing is explained as follows: “the elements which complete a dress or are added to it with a decorative or utilitarian function”.
It’s an almost impossible watch: it’s no coincidence that it was chosen by the most elegant man who ever lived | Pontilenews.it
Basically something whose presence is not essential, but only serves to enrich something already complete. This is not necessarily the case with watches. From the day the timepiece to be worn, be it a pocket watch or a wristwatch, was born, it was immediately clear that it would become an object capable of revealing the wearer’s personality and social status.
The birth of a cult object
In the beginning it was the sundial… Um, no. The first watches that could accompany the owner in everyday life were pocket watches. The first examples date back to the 15th century and precision wasn’t really their forte, proving they didn’t have a minute hand that was of little use. Since then, it has already become a status symbol, only a few kings and aristocrats could accessorize themselves with such an expensive accessory.
However, the “onion” was the forerunner of what would take its place a few centuries later: the pocket watch.
What most people don’t know is that the first specimens were real jewels and intended only for women. The first copy is said to have been commissioned by the sister of the then Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, Carolina. It was a Breguet.
An example of Santos by Cartier (Cartier website)
The first wristwatch of modern times and for men was created by a jeweler of the highest quality, Cartier. Louis Cartier created it in 1904 for his aviator friend Alberto Santos-Dumont, a watch with a leather strap that allowed the pilot to tell the time at the controls of his plane. Pulling it out of your breast pocket instead of keeping your hands on the stick might be a bit daring. The resulting watch was given the proper name of its client: Santos.
An exceptional piece on an exceptional wrist
Since then, the wristwatch has evolved, but the brands that hold the market are the historical ones: Rolex, Vacheron Constantin, Girard-Perregaux, Jaeger-LeCoultre and, of course, Rolex. These timepieces can cost unthinkable and unattainable numbers for most, especially in customized versions. There are quite a few personalities who, when they have the opportunity, ask the manufacturers for variations, “upgrades” of the standard models. And here are dials embellished with precious stones, as well as cases and bracelets made of rare and precious metals. Of course, the risk you run in these cases is finding something extremely precious on your wrist, but decidedly tacky. Even the strictest brands have accepted these “tunings”, we know “pecunia non olet”.
But there are also other brands that are making a name for themselves in a market that is really as difficult as that of luxury watches. This is Jakob & Co.
Jacob and Co.
The Maison was founded in Manhattan in 1986 by Yakov Arabov, Jacob Arabo, a naturalized US diamond cutter of Uzbek origin whose family had immigrated to the United States from the former Soviet Union, like many others, in search of the “American Dream”. It is not for nothing that one of his nicknames is “King of Bling”, whereby “bling” refers to the sparkle of precious stones.
The founder of Jacob & Co. with our Andrea Bocelli (Instagram)
The fame of his watches grew after a certain Cristiano Ronaldo was chosen as the brand’s ambassador, someone who knows and frequents luxury. His other clients are Kanye West, Floyd Mayweather and Drake. He also previously worked with the late Louis Vuitton and Off-White designer Virgil Abloh.
Recently, one of his creations was seen on the wrist of a man who is elegance personified and who, at first glance, does not seem to have much in common with the above characters. This is our fashion prince Valentino Garavani.
Valentino and his Maison
Valentino, son of art, soon flies to Paris to cultivate his passion. He worked for Guy Laroche and, back home, became a student of Schuberth in Rome. In 1957 he founded the house that bears his name. The “V” was beginning to catch on among the jet set of those years, and consecration came in 1968 when he created Jacqueline Kennedy’s wedding dress with Greek billionaire Onassis. A story of achievement, a fairytale life, so much so that Andy Warhol played it, on par with show business icons like Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley and Elizabeth Taylor.
In his very long career, Valentino has received prestigious awards, Grand Officer of the Order of Merit, Knight Grand Cross, Knight of Labor and most recently, in chronological order, the Legion of Honour, the highest decoration of the French Republic. Not bad for someone who started in Voghera… In 2007 he left home and retired.
The Jakob & Co. by Valentin
Of course it must be a great satisfaction to see one of your creations worn by an absolute master of fashion. Who knows how the former Uzbek immigrant felt when he saw the gorgeous Royal worn by Valentino himself.
Valentino and his Jacob & Co. Million Dollars (Instagram watchopiaa)
It is one of a kind in rose gold but the gorgeous pink color is almost invisible as it is fully set with baguette cut diamonds in the impressive total of 344. The watch, which will only be made in eighteen examples, has an estimated price tag of one million dollars. Astronomical for many, but not for Valentino, one of the few people in the world who can wear it casually without fear of looking overdone.