From May 18 to 30, Christie's will offer during the auction The Geneva Edit, a selection of remarkable timepieces from a refined circle of ultra-exclusive pieces at the crossroads of creative fine watchmaking and fine jewelry of the 21st centurye century.
Many lots from this sale will be on display at Christie's new Geneva office between May 22 and 26. These include, among others, the extraordinary unique JACOB & CO. “Astronomia Flawless Diamond” piece.
This one-of-a-kind creation features a revolutionary four-arm movement that appears to float inside a sapphire crystal case. Four unique mechanisms, one at the end of each arm – a magnesium globe representing the Earth with hand-lacquered white gold oceans and continents, a spherical diamond Jacob-cut of one carat with 288 facets, a patented three-axis tourbillon and an hours and minutes complication featuring a patented differential gear system – gravitate around the 3,02 ct diamond that crowns the vertical movement.
The estimate for this unique JACOB & CO piece, 2022 “Astronomia Flawless” triple axis tourbillon sapphire with 3,02 carat D flawless diamond, Ref. A125.80.AA.UG.B, has been set at CHF 200 – 000.
Presented in 2018, “ the Astronomia Flawless Diamond » remains a testament to the incredible creativity, audacity and genius of JACOB & CO., a true feat of multidisciplinary mastery in fine watchmaking.
At the center of the watch is an unprecedented four-arm vertical movement that demonstrates a high level of watchmaking prowess, both creatively and technically. At the end of each arm, an element once again evokes the sensitivity for art and storytelling, one of JACOB & CO's trademarks: the patented three-axis tourbillon; the patented hours and minutes complication with a differential gear system; the planet Earth composed of a magnesium globe, and hand-lacquered oceans and continents in white gold; and to represent the Moon, a spherical diamond with 288 facets obtained through the exclusive Jacob cut.
The four elements orbit the 2,88 ct white diamond, a miniature solar system floating in an incredible sapphire crystal case. The Astronomia Flawless Diamond » is a unique piece that dazzles with its presence and substance.
The three-axis tourbillon is at the forefront of contemporary watchmaking. The delicately decorated cage houses the balance wheel, hairspring, escape wheel, and several other essential components. Characterized by an openworked cage, the JACOB & CO. tourbillon rotates simultaneously on three axes, a constellation of beautifully finished components ensuring the absolute precision of the Astronomia caliber throughout its 60-hour power reserve.
Jacob Arabo, founder of JACOB & CO. said: “ The Astronomia was inspired by the universe and all the ideas and wonder celestial bodies can evoke. Since the introduction of the first Astronomia in 2014, the stars, the Moon, and the planets have taken on new meaning with each new timepiece. While the story of the Astronomia continues, it has already earned its place in the world of fine watchmaking. »
About Christie's
Founded in 1766, Christie's is a world leader in art and luxury goods. Renowned and recognized for its live and online auctions, as well as its bespoke private sales, Christie's offers clients a comprehensive portfolio of international services, including art valuation and financing, international real estate, and education. Christie's operates in 46 countries across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, with international sales centers in New York, London, Hong Kong, Paris, and Geneva. Christie's is also the only international auction house authorized to hold sales in mainland China (Shanghai).
Christie's auctions span more than 80 categories of art and luxury goods, with prices ranging from $200 million to over $100 million. Christie's has sold eight of the ten most important single-owner collections in history, including the Paul G. Allen Collection, the most valuable ever sold at auction (November 8). In recent years, Christie's has also achieved world record prices for a work of art at auction (Leonardo da Vinci's Salvator Mundi, 10), a 2022th-century work of art (Andy Warhol's Shot Sage Blue Marilyn, 2017), and a work by a living artist (Jeff Koons's Rabbit, 20). Christie's Private Sales offers a seamless service for buying and selling fine art, jewelry, and watches outside of the auction calendar, working exclusively with Christie's specialists at each client's own pace.
Following the groundbreaking 2021 sale of the first digital art NFT ever offered by a global auction house (Beeple's Everydays), Christie's recently launched the first fully on-chain auction platform dedicated to exceptional NFT art. As an industry leader in digital innovation, Christie's also continues to pioneer new technologies that are redefining the art trade, including the use of hologram technology to take life-size 3D objects on tours around the world, and the creation of viewing and bidding experiences that integrate augmented reality, global livestreaming, Buy It Now channels, and hybrid sale formats.
Christie's is committed to advancing responsible culture across its businesses and communities around the world, including achieving sustainability through net-zero carbon emissions by 2030, and actively using its platform in the art world to amplify underrepresented voices and support positive change.
For the best in art and luxury: www.christies.com or by downloading Christie's apps.
André Tirlet
Photo captions
1/ An exceptional multidisciplinary technical achievement: the “Astronomia Flawless Diamond” is the embodiment of high-end 21st-century watchmaking and a globally recognized symbol of Jacob & Co.’s watchmaking expertise.
2/ The three-axis tourbillon from Jacob & Co.
3/ At the top of the Astronomia Flawless Diamond's movement sits a 288-facet Jacob-cut white diamond. The Jacob cut is a unique spherical gemstone cut, exclusive to Jacob & Co.
