Jacob & Co., Bucherer BLUE, and Sotheby’s, are reaching for the stars. The two famed watch companies, celebrated for their innovative and dazzling designs, along with Sotheby’s, the world’s premier destination for art and luxury, have joined forces in the spirit of exploration to send a special timepiece into the unmapped vastness of space before going up for a charitable auction this summer. Named the Jacob & Co. Astronomia Tourbillon Bucherer BLUE, the unique watch, a marvel of Swiss craftsmanship and the decorative arts, was the first triple axis tourbillon to leave the Earth’s atmosphere.
On April 8, from the Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Axiom Space launched a four-person team to and from the International Space Station (ISS). The flight named AX-1, returned off the Florida coast on Monday, April 25. A crew member on this historical mission was Eytan Stibbe, an impact investor and philanthropist, leading the Israeli designed Rakia mission to space. He had the distinction of carrying along the Jacob & Co. Astronomia Tourbillon Bucherer BLUE.
The Rakia mission, along with the Astronomia Tourbillon Bucherer BLUE, spent 17 days 1 hour and 37 minutes in space, as the space crew orbited the Earth 273 times at an altitude of 250 miles at nearly 17,500 mph, traveling over 7 million miles in total.
With its return from space, the Jacob & Co. Astronomia Bucherer BLUE is set to embark on a public exhibition tour in New York City, first stopping at the Bucherer 1888 TimeMachine from July 11 – 17. From there, moving to exhibition at Sotheby’s New York galleries from July 21-25, before heading to the auction block in a single-lot dedicated live auction on July 26.
On offer with no reserve- and bidding starting at $1- proceeds will be donated to benefit charities, with further details to be announced at a later date. While the Jacob & Co. Astronomia Bucherer BLUE traveled to space and back on a single mission, the timepiece’s impact, because of this special sale, will reverberate for generations.
“Bucherer BLUE is our platform for bringing to life daring projects with innovative partners. Together we strive to create the extraordinary and celebrate drive and curiosity of our NextGen customers,” says Patrick Graf, Chief Commercial Officer of Bucherer. “Jacob & Co.’s exceptional timepieces, imaginative power, and can-do attitude makes possible what seemed impossible before. Powered by the internationally renowned Sotheby’s, this collaboration brings the Bucherer BLUE philosophy to a whole new level and we are incredibly excited that the Astronomia Bucherer BLUE went up to space, pushing boundaries beyond the expected.”
The Jacob & Co. Astronomia Bucherer BLUE is truly a watch of wonder, imparting an otherworldly quality. The complex movement, for one, is a gravitational triple axis tourbillon. The dark blue starry background mirrors the deep, captivating color of the firmament (“Rakia” in Hebrew) and the pronounced domed case, made of anti-reflective sapphire crystal, essentially features a microcosm: four satellites turn in constant motion, including the dial, tourbillon cage, a spherical diamond that reflects the moon, and a magnesium lacquered globe that reflects the Earth. All finished in the Bucherer BLUE color scheme, this timepiece is galactic to the core.
“The Astronomia tourbillon is a truly unique, groundbreaking timepiece that elevates the art of watchmaking above the Earth, above time,” says Jacob Arabov, Founder & Chairman of Jacob & Co. “So the very idea of sending this special Astronomia into space, as you can imagine, was very exciting. It’s only fitting that the Astronomia Bucherer BLUE ends up revolving around the Earth. The watch had the same viewpoint on us as we usually have on it. This reversal is typical of the way I envision the creation of timepieces.”
According to crew member, Eytan Stibbe, the Astronomia Tourbillon Bucherer BLUE timepiece continued to accurately display the time during the launch and return to earth, enduring extremely high G-forces and also micro-gravity while in space.
“From our first dedicated Space Exploration sale in 2017 to our auction of Omega Speedmasters in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11, Sotheby’s has been a pioneer at bringing together the world of space and watch collecting, offering some of the rarest examples in each category,” says Josh Pullan, Head of Sotheby’s Global Luxury Division. “We’re thrilled to be part of this journey, which marks the first haute horological tourbillon to travel into orbit. The shared spirit of innovation brought Jacob & Co, Bucherer, and Sotheby’s together for this project and we are honoured that the auction of this special timepiece will also benefit charity.”
The timepiece is already a captivating watch, but as the first triple-axis tourbillon to reach the exosphere, its allure is even more entrancing. It is categorically one-of-a-kind. Along with the Astronomia tourbillon, Jacob & Co. and Bucherer are also honouring the greater involvement of the private sector in space exploration with the release of the EpicX Bucherer BLUE Edition, a skeleton watch that also nods to interstellar travel. The limited-edition manual timepiece, which was inspired by the mission, will be available for purchase exclusively in the U.S. at Bucherer. The exclusive 18 pieces feature an eye-catching blue honeycomb strap and a titanium caseback with an engraving of an astronaut, clad in a spacesuit and helmet, gazing at the Earth from space.
Both the Astronomia and EpicX are two watches that imbue innovation, exploration, and a belief that, through partnership, possibilities are boundless, a belief that anyone has the ability to go beyond time and space.
Jacob & Co. Astronomia Tourbillon Bucherer BLUE
The Astronomia Tourbillon is a truly unique, groundbreaking timepiece that elevates the art of watchmaking above the Earth, above time. Combining the highest level of Swiss timepiece craftsmanship and the horological decorative arts to create a watch that is a poetic visual rendering of the celestial world –with every element in constant, visible motion, all under the control of the oscillator at the heart of the three-axis tourbillon with an orbital display of the hours and minutes.
Movement
- Exclusive Jacob & Co. Manual Winding JCAM10;
- Diameter: 40mm; Height: 17.15mm;
- Components: 365;
- Material: Titanium;
- Power Reserve: 60-Hours;
- Frequency: 21’600 vib/h (3 Hz);
- Jewels: 42;
- System: Triple Axis Gravitational Tourbillon;
- Finishing:
- Plate and Bridges: Hand Angled and Polished, Flank Draw, Circular Graining, Polished Sink;
- Polished Screws;
- Barrel: Circular Graining;
- Pinions: Conical Pinions;
- 4 Mechanical Ball Bearing Devices;
- Flat Balance Spring.
Functions
- Hours, Minutes Dial Rotating in 20 min on the Central Axis, Patented Differential Gears System;
- Faceted Spherical Diamond Rotating in 60 sec on 2 axes (Weight: 1 carat; 288 Patented Facets Exclusive Jacob Cut)
- Magnesium Lacquered Globe rotating in 60sec on 2 axes;
- Gravitational Tourbillion Cage Rotating on 3 axes: 1st Axis: in 60sec, 2nd Axis: in 5min, 3rd Axis: Central Axe in 20min.
Case
- 50mm;
- Thickness: 25mm;
- Material: 18K White Gold;
- Sapphire Apertures on Sides;
- Case Back: 18K White Gold;
- Bows: Winding and Time-Setting via 18K White Gold lift-out rotating “bows” at case back;
- Skylayer Front Case: Aventurine and 18K Rose Gold;
- Crystal: Unique Domed Sapphire with Anti-reflective Treatment;
- Water resistance: 30m (ISO 2281).
Dial
- Magnesium Dial,
- Hand Angled and Polished,
- Lacquered Indexes;
- Hands: Hand Finished Gun Blue.
Strap & Buckle
- Alligator; 18K White Gold Folding Buckle.
Jacob & Co. Epic X Black Titanium Bucherer Blue
Movement
- Calibre: Exclusive Manually Wound Skeleton Jacob&Co JCAM45 Caliber;
- Barrel and Balance Wheel Vertically Aligned;
- Diameter: 14.25mm;
- Height: 5.90mm;
- Components: 158;
- Functions: Hours, Minutes;
- Power Reserve: 48-Hours;
- Frequency: 28’800 vib/h (4 Hz);
- Jewels: 21;
- System: Barrel with Sliding Clamp System; Balance Screws Visible on the Front Side; Time Setting Spring with Three Functions (“octopus spring”): Ratchet, Lever and Setting Lever; Anti-shock.
Case
- Diameter: 44mm;
- Thickness: 12.3 mm;
- Material: Black DLC Titanium
- Inner ring: Blue PVD;
- Crystal: Sapphire with Anti-reflective Treatment;
- Case Back: Sapphire Glass; Custom design with Astronaut’s Helmet
- Water resistance: 50m
Dial & Hands
- Dial: Custom USA Space Rocket design on Right-side bridge; Jacob&Co logo engraved on Left-side bridge
- Hands: Skeleton; Blue PVD with White SuperLuminova tips
Strap & Clasp
- Honeycomb Rubber strap; Titanium & Black PVD Buckle
Jacob & Co.
“Inspired by the Impossible. ”Founded by Jacob Arabo in 1986, Jacob & Co. creates revolutionary timepieces and exquisite jewelry that have captivated celebrities and notables from the watchmaking world, and dazzled on fashion’s red carpets and cover shoots. With a unique talent for creating designs that are as innovative as they are spectacular, the company has grown into one of the most recognized luxury brands in timepieces and jewelry. At the heart of the company is the passion, drive and creative force of Mr. Arabo. With a respect for traditional craftsmanship and artistry, and an ability to envision and realize exquisite jewelry and unique timepieces, he makes the truly extraordinary a reality through the alchemy of edge and elegance.
Tourneau/Bucherer
The marriage of Tourneau and Bucherer in 2018, two long-standing industry leaders, is bringing together the best of both companies to surprise and delight watch and jewelry customers around the world.
When Bucherer acquired Tourneau in 2018 to make its foray into the American market, wonderful evolutions began that are designed to offer customers inspiring products, unparalleled service and warm and inviting luxury environments. Both companies, one American born in 1900 and one Swiss born in 1888, together boast more than 200 years of rich history and expertise when it comes to the retail, watch and jewelry worlds. Now they bring their innovative visions together and underscore all they offer with a dedicated commitment to customers that is deeply rooted in trust, shared values and unexpected yet enjoyable twists.
Tourneau has more than 30 retail locations in America, while Bucherer has 36 boutiques across Europe. The Bucherer 1888 brand, headquartered in Lucerne, Switzerland, since its inception, remains independent and family owned and is under the vigilant and dynamic direction of third-generation Jörg G. Bucherer, Chairman of Bucherer AG. Tourneau, now under the Bucherer wing, continues delivering exceptional service, teaming with the world’s leading watch brands to offer customers an unprecedented destination-shopping experience.
At the retail level in America, top-notch watch brands are beautifully positioned in Tourneau/Bucherer boutiques, alongside tantalizing Bucherer Fine Jewelry and exciting Bucherer Blue products and partnerships—reaffirming the dedication both brands, now acting as one, have to the community and the future.
Sotheby’s
Established in 1744, Sotheby’s is the world’s premier destination for art and luxury. Sotheby’s promotes access, connoisseurship and preservation of fine art and rare objects through auctions and buy-now channels including private sales, e-commerce and retail. Our trusted global marketplace is supported by an industry-leading technology platform and a network of specialists spanning 40 countries and 50 categories, which include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits, and Interiors, among many others.
The Rakia Mission
In collaboration with the Ramon Foundation, the Israel Space Agency, and the Israeli Ministries of Innovation, Science, Technology and Education, on April 8 2022 Israeli astronaut Eytan Stibbe launched for the International Space Station as a crew member of AX-1 to lead the Rakia mission under the banner “There is no dream beyond reach”. The goal of the Rakia mission is to recognize the prospective benefits of space exploration, mainly by drawing on the curiosity associated with human space travel, by raising awareness to the importance of preserving Earth’s limited resources and by fostering a commitment to international collaborations.
As an educational endeavor, students, educators, researchers, intellectuals and the general public were exposed to the many scientific experiments conducted onboard the space station and to demonstrations of the use of state of the art technologies. The mission involved live transmission of educational content to children and the unique opportunity to see art being made and exhibited in space.
Bucherer BLUE
Innovative. Daring. Exceptional. Bucherer BLUE represents a passion for the cutting edge, striving to surprise customers and bring the unexpected to life. Working closely with outstanding partners, Bucherer has created a unique lifestyle collection that celebrates the extraordinary: inspired by disruptive ideas, driven by a burning passion and exclusively available at Bucherer. Bucherer BLUE is for all those who strive for creativity and the truly exceptional. The Bucherer BLUE collection is born from combined strength, expertise and teamwork. That is why, here at Bucherer, we blaze new trails by collaborating with carefully selected partners – both inside and outside of the watch industry. These exclusive Bucherer BLUE masterpieces are created in cooperation with renowned watchmakers and feature eye-catching blue accents and an innovative character that lend them a unique appeal, delighting watch connoisseurs. You can look forward to exciting products and inspirational partnerships and discover a new, casual approach to luxury.