Hero Image

Opera Godfather Minute Repeater

a close up of a watch

Story

In the universe of chiming/musical watches at Jacob & Co., the minute repeater came first, in the Palatial collection and in the Twin Turbo and Twin Turbo Furious. Then, the decision was made to add actual music to the watches, and the Opera Collection was introduced. The 49mm Opera timepiece was the first luxury timepiece to combine a high watchmaking triple-axis tourbillon movement with a two-comb, two-cylinder Swiss music box. The Opera Godfather took the Opera one step farther, introducing the theme music from The Godfather, followed by the Opera Scarface.

The Jacob & Co. designers got to thinking - why not do both? Never a company to leave well enough alone, Jacob & Co. introduced the Grand Complication Opera Godfather Minute Repeater.

a close up of an engine

Partnering with Paramount Pictures

Jacob & Co. has the exclusive rights, in partnership with Paramount Pictures, to use The Godfather logo and the haunting melody in this amazing Opera timepiece. In addition, a stylized image of Marlon Brando as Don Corleone, exclusive to the Opera Godfather Minute Repeater, is superimposed on the 18K gold, black-lacquered piano.

The Godfather is widely recognized as one of the top five greatest movies ever made, introducing iconic characters like the Godfather, Michael Corleone, Sonny Corleone, Luca Brasi, Tessio, Clemenza, Johnny Fontaine and more.

The Godfather has so many iconic moments - the marriage sequence that opens the movie, the Boss of Bosses meeting, the Sicily sequence, the death of Sonny Corleone, the baptism montage - it's hard to pick just one. But, certainly Marlon Brando's performance as Don Corleone stands out. This is the role for which Brando won an Oscar for Best Actor.

The Opera Godfather Minute Repeater honors this spectacular movie with its unique styling, its combination of complications, and its ability to play the theme music from The Godfather on demand.

a close up of a wheel

The Triple-Axis Tourbillon

With so much going on in this watch, you can almost forget about what many consider the ultimate in watchmaking, the tourbillon. The tourbillon Jacob & Co. uses in the Opera Minute Repeater is anything but a traditional tourbillon. Rather, it is a high-speed triple-axis tourbillon, turning in three minutes on one axis, 48 seconds on the second axis, and 24 seconds on the third. This ballet of high-end mechanics is in constant motion, keeping the timekeeping precise.

a close up of a watch

Opera Godfather Minute Repeater Video

a close up of a motorcycle

MARLON BRANDO

On the black lacquered piano is the stylized iconic image of Marlon Brando as Don Corleone, getting ready to make someone an offer they can't refuse.

a car engine

The Minute Repeater

Long regarded the most complicated of movements, the minute repeater was the height of luxury when it was first introduced in the 1600s, the equivalent of a church clock in a timepiece. Getting the minute repeater absolutely perfect, from precision and tonal standpoints, is a huge challenge, and that's why only a handful of brands include minute repeaters in their collections.

The minute repeater in the Opera Godfather uses two hammers to strike exposed circular gongs to sound out the hours, the quarters of hours, and the minutes. In the Opera Godfather Minute Repeater, the gongs circle above the dial, visible through the large sapphire crystal and rose gold case. This voluminous case enhances the clarity, tone, and richness of the sound of the gongs.

The minute repeater is actuated with a slide at 9 o'clock and the music is started by pressing the pusher at 8 o'clock. The watch is wound via the violin-shaped handle at 3 o'clock, and set using an 18K gold lift-out bow on the case back. The power reserve for the movement and the music box function are separate - the watch has a power reserve of 44 hours, while the music can be played three times before you have to wind it again.


a close up of a car wheel

The Swiss Music Box

Playing 120 notes, the two cylinders turn against the two, 30-pin combs to produce the beautiful theme music from The Godfather. Manufacturing these small cylinders requires incredible precision, so that the music plays exactly right. Watching these cylinders in motion is mesmerizing, an auditory and visual treat.


a close up of an engine

Violin Crank

Winding the watch is simple. All you do is unfold the 18K violin-shaped crank and turn it. Turning clockwise winds the power reserve for the movement (45 hours), turning counterclockwise winds the separate power reserve for the music (the music can be played three times). When finished, refold and return to its place on the side of the watch.

a car engine

Timekeeping and Chiming

Unlike the other timepieces in the Opera Collection, the dial is static, the skeletonized hour and minute dial appearing to float in the center of the timepiece. Managing the power of the watch is critical, as now the timepiece adds a minute repeater, so the 758-component movement has to be robust enough to power the triple-axis tourbillon, the Swiss music box, and the minute repeater, while also being precise enough to manage the timekeeping and the coordination with the chiming of the minute repeater.

The Opera Godfather Minute Repeater adds yet another Grand Complication to the Jacob & Co. collection. Combining the Swiss Music Box with a triple-axis tourbillon and a minute repeater could just be an offer you can't refuse.


a close up of a watch

Technical Specifications

ITEM NUMBER: OP500.40.AA.AA.ABALA

Movement:
Caliber: Exclusive Manufacture Jacob&Co Manual-Winding JCFM07
Diameter: 44.30mm
Height: 17.09mm
Material: Gold, steel, titanium, brass
Components: 758
Power Reserve: 44 Hours
Frequency: 21'600 vib/h (3 Hz)
Jewels: 58
System: Triple Axis Tourbillon, Music Box with Double Combs
Functions:
• Minute Repeater Mechanism with two hammers and gong
• Hours, quarters and minutes repetition
• Arming of the bell by a lock at 9 o'clock with torque declutching
Triple-axis high-speed tourbillon:
• External tourbillon cage: 180 seconds
• Intermediate tourbillon cage: 48 seconds
• Internal tourbillon cage: 24 seconds
Godfather Theme activated by pusher at 8 o'clock: rotation of two cylinders against 2 combs (30 teeth in total) playing a melody of 120 notes, decorated by 18K Rose Gold and black PVD Godfather plate, and a black lacquered piano with Marlon Brando's face.

Case:
Diameter: 49mm
Height: 23mm
Material: 18K Rose Gold and Sapphire crystal
Case Back: 18K Rose Gold and Sapphire crystal
Bow: Time-Setting via 18K Rose Gold lift-out rotating bow at case back
Crown: Winding by 18K Rose Gold Violin Crank-handle at 3 o'clock
Crystal: Unique Domed Sapphire with Double Anti-Reflective Treatment
Water resistance: 30m (3atm)

Dial & Hands:
Dial: Skeletonized H/M dial, rose gold plated and black DLC
Hands: Rose gold plated Jacob&Co designed hands

Strap & Clasp:
Strap: Black Alligator Leather
Clasp: 18K Rose Gold Folding clasp

Limited Edition:
18 Pieces

Speak With Sales Rep

If you have any questions, queries or comments, please feel free to get in touch and our team will be delighted to help you.

Contact Us

Flagship Boutique
/ Corporate Office

48 East 57 Street
New York, NY 10022
+1 (212) 719-5887
Jacob & Co

Join Our Mailing List