BRILLIANT MYSTERY

In 2017, Jacob & Co. created a new ladies' collection that looked like no other. Round, without lugs, with a strap directly attached to the case, Brilliant was designed to be versatile, precious and to embrace the entire range of gems Jacob & Co. loves. Brilliant Mystery is the ultimate evolution of Brilliant in creativity, gem-setting and technique. Brilliant Mystery is a tribute to one of the greatest achievements of high watchmaking : Mystery Clocks. First invented by 19th century watchmaker and illusionist Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin, they amazed the crowds with their intriguing and apparently impossible mechanisms. An island sits in the middle of the ring-shaped case, with two floating black triangles telling the time. Instant puzzling follows the amazement created by the all-around gem-setting. Brilliant Mystery is entirely covered in gems, from central island to case. Jacob & Co. exclusively selected the baguette cut. In order to recreate the smoothest surface, Jacob & Co. only works with the invisible setting technique. No prongs, no metal appears that would break the continuous array of gems. White diamonds. Emeralds. Rubies. Sapphires. Tsavorites. Rainbow color arrangements. Brilliant Mystery is Jacob & Co.'s ultimate expression of playfulness and gem-setting.

Caliber JCGQ02 is one of the few quartz-powered movements in the Jacob & Co. catalog. It was chosen because it is compact and powerful, so as to drive the mysterious hands. It can be fitted inside the small island sitting in the middle of the case. That island is made of gold and held to the rest of the case with the help of sapphire discs. It took tremendous effort to secure that attachment system so that Brilliant Mystery can remain fully mysterious. The ring-shaped case of Brilliant Mystery is a one-of-a-kind three-dimensional creation. Shaped like a donut, it offers the largest surface imaginable for the kind of creativity Jacob & Co. is famous for. The invisible-setting is a 360 degree process, covering all edges from the outside of the case and the inner island. Achieving such an impeccable result requires an extensive development process. It starts at the selection of gems, goes on with their cutting, and ends in the setting itself. At each one of those steps, Jacob & Co.'s expertise is mobilized at its finest. For Jacob & Co., work is at its best when the work doesn't show.

Brilliant Mystery's display is based on the use of sapphire discs. The central island houses a movement that drives two of them. One for the minute and the other for the hours. These discs are fully transparent and cover all the empty space between case and island. They're almost completely invisible. Time is shown with the help of two black triangles printed on them. As a result, they seem to be floating in mid-air, providing both information and intrigue.

Brilliant Mystery is puzzling and lavish. Technical in an invisible way that creates interest and wonderment. That impression is augmented by a three-dimensional layout of abundant gems. In a unique way among Jacob & Co. ladies' watches, Brilliant Mystery is a conversation piece.