Luxury watch brand Jacob & Co. has been making waves in the industry over the last few years and becoming the go-to watchmaker for many VIP and celebrity clients looking for the ultimate luxury timepieces.
While working in the world of fine jewellery, Arabo decided to create a small booth in New York City’s bustling diamond district and began designing collections for jewellery brands and private clients. This eventually led to him starting his own watch brand at the age of just 21 in 1986, designing custom-made high-end watches for exclusive clients. Over the years Jacob’s watch has become iconic as he pushes the boundaries with his designs, creating some of the world’s most complicated and most expensive timepieces. Inspired by the impossible, Jacob is energised by the creative challenge of envisioning and realizing new jewellery and timepiece designs that will continue to intrigue and invite fans and followers to enjoy his creations.
In 2021, Jacob handed over the reins of the business to his son Benjamin Arabov, who oversees the brand’s growth as CEO. The brand has since seen rapid growth into new regions and sectors, including a move into real estate with an exciting new partnership in Dubai. Here, we talk to Benjamin to learn more about the brand and the exciting future ahead.
We saw the recent launches at Geneva Watch Days – tell us about that.
The recent launch in Geneva had a special feel, highlighting our family history. It was the story of the watch that started it all. The watch that opened the doors of the world and of watchmaking to Jacob Arabov. “The World Is Yours” Dual Time Zone is a tribute to the Arabov family heritage, inspired by a dual time zone watch that Jacob Arabov received at the age of 13 from his father, Nison Arabov.
Watches passed down from father to son are uniquely important. They are more than just an object: they are a symbol of what is really being passed on: values, love, wisdom, blessings and a healthy dose of pressure to succeed. This particular timepiece bears the famous Wakmann name and has inspired every Jacob & Co. watch ever made. The feedback on this piece was very emotional, and the watch was much appreciated, even evoking its astonishing “simplicity” as well as its elegance. It was a pleasure to share this novelty and evoke a part of our family history.
We know you have many fans and clients in the Middle East – tell us about the brand in the region.
We’ve been doing this for over 20 years, and we’ve gained many fans and clients worldwide. But it never gets old. We love hearing what people say about our pieces; we love seeing them marvel at our creations just as much as we do! The people in the Middle East have beautiful taste, warm hospitality, and a love for all things beautiful, so it’s always been a pleasure to visit them as often as we do.
Can you share more about your working relationship with your father, Jacob Arabov – how do you balance the responsibilities of the business between you?
Jacob and I have established an effective working relationship that has helped the business grow exponentially. We’ve essentially divided our business responsibilities: I concentrate on operations and marketing, while he focuses on design and production. Over the past few years, I’ve collaborated closely with him, offering my insights and viewpoints regarding new products. His creative process is primarily guided by intuition, emotions, and personal reactions to his designs. This emotional approach is incredibly beneficial for a creative designer.
On the other hand, my creative approach is also rooted in emotions but strongly emphasises data. I strive to comprehend what today’s consumers find interesting, grasp the current design trends, consider factors like size and retail pricing, and consolidate all these various elements to make more data-driven decisions about the future designs of our products. This is how we engage in a back-and-forth process to arrive at decisions regarding our product planning.
For you, what is the most memorable or impressive watch you have seen since joining the brand?
The Chiron and the Godfather are two of my all-time favourites. Adding to that list is the recently launched The World is Yours Dual Time Zone timepiece because of its significance to our family and the brand’s story.
Can you tell us about the luxury residences you are building in Dubai?
In our relentless pursuit of excellence in design and craftsmanship, Binghatti and Jacob & Co. proudly introduce the Burj Binghatti Jacob & Co. Residences – the crown jewel of Dubai, designed for avant-garde living. We have entered into a design partnership with leading Dubai-based real estate developer Binghatti to create a jewel of residential construction. Dubai’s shining Hyper-Tower is set to break the record for the highest residential tower in the world. With its majestically designed exterior and radiant crest, the Burj Binghatti Jacob & Co. Residences has deservedly been labelled “the crown jewel of Dubai”. The Hyper-Tower encapsulates Binghatti’s unwavering dedication to design excellence, infused with Jacob & Co.’s unique artistry and craftsmanship for interior design.
As a brand, you have fantastic partnerships with ambassadors, and we know many celebrities and VIPs come to you – how does this help to increase brand awareness?
We’re lucky to have always been surrounded by big names who love and own our pieces. We don’t consider these relationships to be anything but friendships with a mutual love for creativity, beauty, and innovation. We often have a common driver of always pushing the envelope in whichever industry they’re in!
What do you look for in a brand ambassador?
We seek individuals who possess credibility, respectability, and a strong reputation, much like ourselves. We are interested in aligning with those who, like us, constantly push the boundaries within their respective domains. An example of this alignment would be someone like Ronaldo, who is considered the best in his field. We see ourselves as a brand consistently breaking new ground and undertaking unprecedented endeavours. Therefore, we are looking for ambassadors who share this same commitment to innovation and boundary-pushing.
Where would you like to see the brand in ten years?
Given that our current price range mainly falls within the USD300-500k bracket, our products may not be within reach for individuals who don’t typically spend at that level. I’d like to expand our accessibility by offering timepieces aimed at customers who spend between USD50-200k.
What else is in the pipeline for 2023 and 2024?
We are thrilled to introduce two brand-new timepieces. The first is an innovative addition to our Astronomia collection, while the second is another remarkable Bugatti timepiece. Stay tuned!
What watch are you wearing today?
I like to mix things up depending on where I’m headed, but for my “daily beater”, I love wearing the Epic X. It’s perfect for its wearability and comfort. It is a versatile timepiece and fun to wear. With the several strap options available, I can switch up the look from day to night or for different seasons.
What message would you send to your friends and clients in the Middle East?
The Middle East constitutes a robust market for our brand. We receive significant support from this region, and we are immensely thankful for the recognition and support we receive for our craftsmanship and innovative approach. I would like to say thank you for that. It strongly motivates us to persist and grow our presence further in the Middle East. We look forward to continuing our business expansion in this region.
What else can you share with us that’s coming up at the brand?
We always look into our past to devise our future. This year, we’re set to have one major global launch at Dubai Watch Week. We can’t say much, but we can say that we’ve challenged ourselves again mechanically and artistically, and we’re bringing in something inspired by the GCC.
