In the Astronomia Tourbillon Chinese Zodiac, the famous four-armed, vertical, triple-axis tourbillon movement is on full display, as is a special 18K rose gold base featuring 12 aventurine sections with the Chinese Zodiac animals crafted in matching 18K rose gold.

The first official Chinese Zodiac, featuring 12 animals and divided by birth year, was established during the Han dynasty (206 B.C. - 9 A.D). Each of the 12 animals stands for one year in a 12-year cycle, one day in a 12-day cycle and one two-hour segment of a 24-hour day.

This version of the Astronomia Solar Chinese Zodiac is special as the Rat -- representing forthrightness, generosity, and an outgoing nature -- is at the 12 o'clock position on the dial, since the Rat is the first Chinese Zodiac sign.

Below the triple-axis movement with its constantly moving satellites is a 18K rose gold base dial with 12 aventurine sections. A different 18K rose gold Chinese Zodiac symbol appears in each of the sections.

Whereas the tourbillon was originally invented to be a single-axis, rotating cage to carry the regulating organ of a mechanical pocket watch for improved timekeeping performance, the Astronomia Tourbillon brings this 224-year-old invention to breathtaking levels of modern refinement and complexity.

The triple-axis tourbillon of the Astronomia Tourbillon is at the forefront of modern watchmaking. The triple-axis tourbillon's delicately decorated cage encapsulates the balance wheel, hairspring, escape wheel and a number of other crucially important components. Characterized by this open-worked cage, this outstanding tourbillon rotates on three axes simultaneously. It is a constellation of superbly finished components that, when assembled and fine-tuned expertly, allows the JCAM10 to keep accurate time throughout its 60-hour power reserve.

A full rotation on the 1st axis takes exactly 60 seconds, as a nod towards the traditional single-axis tourbillon. The 2nd axis of rotation requires 5 minutes to complete, while the 3rd axis of rotation is made possible by the 10-minute, four-arm rotating platform of the Astronomia Tourbillon. This makes for a bold new look at how tourbillons can function, when engineered with cutting-edge, ultra-modern technologies and timeless horological heritage in mind.

The Jacob-Cut diamond starts out as a much larger rough diamond. First, a rough diamond big enough has to be found, and the purity, clarity, and color has to be of the highest quality both inside and out, and there can be no inclusions. If they start to cut the diamond and find an inclusion, the entire piece will be ruined.

Next, the diamond is cut by machine into a round shape, close in size to the final diamond.

Then, the gem cutter shapes the stone by hand, cutting each individual facet (of 288). This has to be done slowly and carefully, as the stone has to be perfectly round and symmetrical. The danger is that the stone will become oblong and not round. To be used in the Astronomia Collection, the Jacob-cut diamond has to be completely round and weigh exactly as much as the other three satellites (time display, triple-axis tourbillon, magnesium globe).

During the process, if the gem cutter puts slightly too much pressure while adding the facets, too much of the diamond will be cut away, and the ball will end up smaller than the desired diameter. The cutting process takes at least two weeks of dedicated, painstaking work.

To make the final one-carat, Jacob-cut diamond with 288 facets, more than half of the initial rough diamond will be cut away.

The complexity of cutting the 288 facets by hand and making sure everything is symmetrical and the diamond is absolutely round, is what makes the Jacob & Co. diamond used in the Astronomia collection so special.

The globe is made of blue-lacquered magnesium to ensure consistency in weight, as all four satellites have to weigh exactly the same. The globe rotates on itself in 30 seconds, while traveling around the dial in 10 minutes.

All of this complicated high watchmaking is visible thanks to the iconic Astronomia sapphire crystal and 18K Rose Gold case. The domed sapphire crystal top and curved crystal sides are all treated with an anti-reflective coating, to make sure the artistry is crystal clear.

The Astronomia Tourbillon Chinese Zodiac combines Jacob & Co.'s signature astronomical complication with the appeal of the Chinese Zodiac animals. No matter to which animal you belong, the Astronomia Tourbillon Chinese Zodiac helps you celebrate it.

The time display sub-dial of the Astronomia Tourbillon Chinese Zodiac is driven through an infinitesimal differential system that allows it to always remain in the correct, 12/6 position as it rotates together with the movement's four-armed platform across the front of the Astronomia. The Roman numerals on the skeletonized dial are hand-engraved and filled with black lacquer, while the hand-finished hands appear in gun blue metallic.

Iconic Triple-Axis Gravitational Tourbillon

18K Rose Gold and Aventurine Chinese Zodiac Symbol base

Year of the Rat Sign at 12 O'clock

Sapphire Crystal case

No Crown Design for Increased Comfort

Rotating 288-facet, Jacob-cut Diamond

Rotating Hand-painted Magnesium Globe

Patented Time Display Differential