Jacob & Co. introduced The Godfather II after three years of development, and the result is the first watch in history capable of playing two distinct melodies on demand from a single music box barrel. Limited to 74 pieces: and a direct reference to the 1974 release of Coppola’s film, this rectangular rose gold timepiece pushes musical horology into genuinely uncharted territory.
A Dial Steeped in Noir
The dial builds its narrative on black lacquer, a material that delivers flawless gloss depth and directly references the film’s noir aesthetic. Jacob & Co. renders a finely detailed portrait of Marlon Brando as Don Corleone across the lower portion, contrasting sharply against the dark background. At 12 o’clock, the franchise’s signature puppet strings rise as a three-dimensional appliqué, with each filament individually elevated above the dial plane to create genuine tactile relief.
Two circular apertures occupy the right side of the dial: a gear symbol at 4 o’clock signals the movement power reserve, and a rose/music note indicator at 8 o’clock tracks the musical energy. The curved, faceted dauphine hands carry a rose gold finish, and a small rectangular cut-out near the centre reveals which melody the selector currently engages, adding architectural structure to an already complex surface.
Calibre JCAM62: The Technical Breakthrough
The JCAM62, developed in collaboration with Concepto, is the technical core of The Godfather II. This hand-wound rectangular movement measures 36 × 37 × 11 mm and packs 510 components, excluding the music drum pins. A one-minute flying tourbillon beats at 21,600 vph (3 Hz), sitting without a bridge above the dial for maximum visual clarity and reduced positional error. Two completely independent barrels handle energy distribution: one provides 72 hours of power reserve for timekeeping, while the other dedicates its energy exclusively to the music box, enabling 8 to 10 activations per full wind, with each barrel winding in a separate direction via the crown.
The music box uses a precision-tuned 18-tooth steel comb, with each tooth cut to a specific length to produce a distinct note; a pin-studded brass cylinder then triggers those teeth in sequence. The dual-melody system relies on a lateral cylinder shift of less than one millimetre: pressing the melody selector at 10 o’clock physically moves the cylinder, aligning a different set of pins with the comb. Both Nino Rota compositions share that single barrel, a technical feat that allowed Jacob & Co. to maintain wearable proportions. On activation, a small lid on the dial side lifts to reveal the spinning cylinder, adding visual theatre to an already remarkable auditory experience.
The Case: Architecture in Rose Gold
The 18K rose gold case measures 42 × 44 × 17 mm and draws on 1930s Art Deco geometry, with curved flanks, controlled angles, and an ergonomic profile that distributes the 17 mm height comfortably on the wrist. The crown carries deep spiral grooves evoking a gun barrel, while the case band features a continuous engraving of Don Corleone‘s rose motif. A domed sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective coating protects the dial. On the reverse, a piano-shaped sapphire window frames the music box comb and cylinder, and a plate bearing the actual musical score of “The Godfather Love Theme” covers part of the mechanism. Engraved bullet holes complete the cinematic vocabulary of the caseback, and water resistance reaches 30 metres.
An Offer Worth Accepting
At USD 440,000, The Godfather II demands serious financial commitment, yet Jacob & Co. delivers genuine technical progress in return. Jacob Arabo has often recalled how The Godfather was the first film he watched in an American theatre as a young immigrant from Uzbekistan, and that personal resonance shapes every detail here, from the engraved rose on the case band to the 74-piece edition number honouring 1974. This is not a sequel driven by commercial momentum. It is a sincere technical leap, and in horology, those are worth celebrating.
