Jacob & Co.: A Gift Guide to the New York House

Jacob & Co. was founded in New York by Jacob Arabo, a jeweller who emigrated to the United States as a young man and built his name in the city's diamond trade. He became known simply as Jacob the Jeweler, and his pieces were adopted early by musicians and athletes who wanted jewellery that was impossible to overlook.

That origin still shapes the house. Where many watchmakers grew out of quiet Swiss workshops, Jacob & Co. began with gemstones and showmanship, then moved into serious watchmaking with its own operations in Geneva. The result is a house that sits comfortably between high jewellery and haute horlogerie, and rarely apologises for being bold.

The watch that made the name was the Five Time Zone, a multi-time-zone design with colourful sub-dials that became a recognisable piece of early-2000s culture. It established the house's habit of treating the dial as a stage.

Since then the collection has grown in ambition:

• Astronomia is the house's showpiece, with the movement suspended in the centre of the case and a rotating globe and tourbillon turning beneath a domed crystal.
• Epic X is a sporty, skeletonised design with an architectural, open-worked look, often in titanium or other lightweight materials.
• Gem-set and high-jewellery watches cover the case, bezel and bracelet in diamonds and coloured stones, continuing the house's jeweller roots.

For a fuller look at movements, case sizes and how these lines wear on the wrist, see our guide to Jacob & Co. watches.

Jewellery remains central to the house. Expect diamond-led designs: pendants, rings, earrings and bracelets for women, alongside men's jewellery that was part of its early identity, including chains, signet-style rings and statement pendants. Stones are usually the focus, with settings designed to show off brilliance rather than hide it.

If you are weighing a Jacob & Co. piece against other houses, our broader luxury jewellery guide explains diamond quality, metals and ring sizing in more detail.

A first Jacob & Co. gift works best when it matches how the recipient already dresses and lives. A few practical starting points:

1. For someone who wears a watch every day, a sportier model such as an Epic X is more versatile than a fully gem-set piece. Check their current wrist size and whether they prefer a bracelet or strap.
2. For a jewellery lover, a diamond pendant or earrings is easier to get right than a ring, which needs an accurate size.
3. For a milestone, such as a significant birthday or an anniversary gift, a statement watch or a gem-set piece carries the weight of the occasion.

On budget, be realistic: this is a house where even entry points are a considerable investment, and complicated or diamond-set pieces can reach extraordinary levels. Price is driven by materials (gold, titanium, sapphire crystal), the number and quality of stones, and the complexity of the movement. Decide on a ceiling first, then work backwards to a line. Our wider guides to gifts for him and luxury watches can help if you are still deciding on a category.

If you already have a model, metal or stone in mind, tell us what you are looking for and we will come back with options.

Because the house's designs are so recognisable, they are also widely imitated. Before buying, look at the details: crisp engraving, precise stone setting with no glue or cloudiness, smooth movement of any rotating elements and serial numbers that match the accompanying papers. For a watch, an inspection by an independent watchmaker is a sensible step, particularly on pre-owned pieces.

Care is straightforward but worth explaining to the recipient. Diamond jewellery should be cleaned gently with warm water and a soft brush and stored separately to avoid scratching other pieces. Complicated watches benefit from regular servicing by a qualified watchmaker, and should be kept away from strong magnets and hard knocks. You can explore other houses in our brands directory.