Watch Paparazzi

Entrepreneur Jacob Arabo spotted wearing Jacob & Co

Jacob Arabo, founder of the American luxury watch and jewellery brand Jacob & Co, was recently photographed wearing one of the Maison's most extraordinary creations: the Billionaire III Emeralds, a piece unique valued at $5 million. The sighting, shared on social media in June 2026, showcases Arabo's continued association with the brand he built, even following its acquisition by Colombian singer Maluma. The 40 mm case, crafted in 18K white gold, forms the foundation of a timepiece that transcends conventional watchmaking to enter the realm of haute joaillerie.

The Billionaire III Emeralds is distinguished by its comprehensive setting of green Zambian emeralds across the case, bezel, and dial surround. The emeralds—prized for their vivid saturation and origin—are cut as baguettes and pavé-set into the white gold, creating a visual density characteristic of Jacob & Co's design philosophy. Beneath this jewelled exterior lies a movement engineered for precision; the Billionaire collection has historically housed advanced complications, though the exact calibre and function of this particular piece unique remain proprietary. Water resistance is typically limited on such heavily jewelled creations, making the Billionaire III primarily a statement piece rather than a functional everyday instrument.

Piece unique commissions from Jacob & Co command prices reflecting their bespoke nature and the labour-intensive setting process. The Billionaire III collection, introduced in the early 2010s, established the brand's credentials in the mega-luxury sector, competing with Graff, Chopard High Jewelry Watches, and Cartier's most exclusive offerings. Variants have featured rubies, sapphires, and diamonds; the emerald iteration represents one of the rarest configurations due to emerald's relative fragility and the sourcing challenges of premium Zambian stones.

For Arabo—a jeweller and watchmaker whose brand pioneered the fusion of horology and diamond-setting—wearing the Billionaire III Emeralds validates decades of design direction. The sighting reinforces Jacob & Co's positioning as a bespoke ultra-luxury manufacture, where individual commissions routinely exceed $1 million. Such pieces rarely appear on secondary markets; the $5 million valuation reflects estimated replacement cost rather than market liquidity.

The Jacob & Co Billionaire III Emeralds exemplifies a category of watch that exists beyond conventional retail: purely custom, fully jewelled, and produced in quantities of one. Ownership of such a piece signals not merely wealth but direct access to the Maison's atelier and participation in the highest echelon of luxury watchmaking.