When the Astronomia Tourbillon was introduced in 2014, the re-invention of the tourbillon in a vertical orientation and the constant turning of its four satellites garnered most of the attention.

What led to the development of the Astronomia Art Collection, however, is the incredible sapphire crystal and precious metal case, which puts everything on display.

So, the idea was to develop special works of art to put inside the Astronomia Tourbillon, using its massive sapphire crystal case as a gallery, while still showcasing the incredible Astronomia tourbillon movement. The brand started with dragons, octopi, spiders, horses and more. Incredibly successful, Jacob & Co. has expanded the Astronomia Tourbillon Art Collection every year since.

The Spider placed on top of the Astronomia Tourbillon starts out as just a titanium frame, which is then enhanced with a 18K white gold exoskeleton. This complex structure is then coated with black PVD. Then, duck feathers are embroidered onto the frame with silk thread and the result is an incredibly realistic tarantula. The entire process, from conceptions to realization, takes more than four months, all in the hands of one artist.

Spiders are known for creativity, invisibility and invincibility, and this Spider certainly makes a statement.

The tourbillon is widely considered the ultimate complication, as it turns and spins to counter the effects of gravity on the precision of the movement. For the Astronomia Collection, Jacob & Co. has taken the tourbillon one step farther, introducing additional axes in which the tourbillon turns. For the Astronomia Art Spider, the tourbillon is triple-axis - turning in two axes: one in 60 seconds and the second in 2.5 minutes and the third going around the dial in 10 minutes.

Customization and bespoke work has been the foundation of Jacob & Co. since the beginning and continues to this day. The brand has created a number of Astronomia Art pieces - Dragons, Spiders, Octopi, Horses, Tigers, world cities and more. Visit any Jacob & Co. point of sale or contact the brand directly to inquire.

The Astronomia Art Collection has become an icon within the brand and collectors look to Jacob & Co. to see what's coming next. The Astronomia Art is a showcase of Jacob & Co.'s commitment to using traditional métiers d'art in a modern way.

Jacob & Co. has been on the forefront of using precious stones since its founding in 1986, and has developed a number of special cuts and setting techniques. For the Astronomia Tourbillon, the brand developed the 288-facet Jacob-cut diamond. This special cut can be accomplished by only a select few gem cutters, and the rough stone typically starts out double the size of the finished diamond. The facets have to be incredibly precise so the diamond is perfectly symmetrical and round. In the Astronomia Art, the one carat Jacob-cut diamond rotates on itself in 30 seconds.

The Astronomia Art Spider's case measures 50 millimeters in diameter and 25 millimeters thick between the highest point of its specially curved front sapphire crystal and the lowest point of its case. Crafted from 18K white gold, the case features four sapphire crystal windows installed throughout the periphery, allowing for unhindered viewing of the spectacular caliber and the artwork inside. The lugs are invisibly set with baguette-cut white diamonds.

The time display sub-dial of the Astronomia Spider 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.

3-D titanium, white gold and duck feather hyper-realistic Spider on top of the movement.

Iconic gravitational triple-axis tourbillon.

Four satellite arms turn around the dial in 10 minutes.

288-facet Jacob-cut diamond turning in 30 seconds.

Magnesium globe turning in 30 seconds.

Patented differential keeps the time display in the right orientation.

Domed and curved, anti-reflective sapphire crystal.