Jacob & Co. Opens at Bal Harbour Shops

By Danielle Naer

For a limited time, a new crown jewel has joined the Bal Harbour roster—the prolific watchmaking house, Jacob & Co.. Known for its showstopping timepieces, the 35-year-old luxury watchmaker and jeweler feels right at home in Miami’s high-octane shopping scene.

For Benjamin Arabov, newly-minted CEO of Jacob & Co. and son of brand founder Jacob Arabov, the decision to expand into South Florida was an intuitive one: “We want to be as close to our clients as possible no matter where they are,” he says. “Bal Harbour Shops is a magnet for residents and visitors from around the world who are interested in luxury goods. Many of our friends already live or spend a great deal of time there. The location for the pop-up was available, and it really worked out. We are extremely happy with the space and our neighbors.”

Nestled on Level one of the Shops, the extravagance of every Jacob & Co. timepiece is translated through the boutique’s sleek design concept. “It has many of the interior elements of other Jacob & Co. boutiques around the world, such as high polish black lacquer furniture with chrome accents,” says Arabov. As for the selection, shoppers can expect brand signatures (the solar system-inspired Astronomia, for instance) and one-of-a-kind pieces alike. “We have women watches with incredible gems and high watchmaking mechanics. We also have a range of high jewelry, including a couple of spectacular necklaces; one made with sapphires and diamonds and one with rubies and diamonds. There’s so much more.” he says.

We asked Arabov to walk us through some of the most exciting watches in store, all of which are as jaw-dropping as you’d expect.

“One thing we brought with us just for the Miami market is the Opera Scarface watch. It contains a music box with the theme from the film, a plaque of the famous poster and even the iconic inscription, ‘The World is Yours’,” teases Arabov. “It’s combined with high watchmaking innovations such as a triple-axis tourbillon, a two-cylinder music box and a movement made of 658 components. It is a Miami original, just like the movie.”

Just in time for spring, Jacob & Co.’s Fleurs De Jardin watch comes with its very own wearable secret garden. Its components (butterfly tourbillon; kite-shaped flowers; mother-of-pearl base) turn clockwise and counter-clockwise at once, making the piece a magnet for the moving eye.

Jacob & Co.’s Astronomia Casino model is a tour de force in haute horlogerie. Not only does it ignite a certain lust for late nights spent tableside at a packed casino; it’s also the only luxury watch in the world with a working roulette wheel. With the press of a button, a small white sphere is sent into orbit inside the case, dancing across the spinning black-and-red wheel before finding its groove.