Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Neymar Jr spotted wearing Jacob & Co.

Brazilian footballer Neymar Jr. has added a Jacob & Co. Astronomia Tourbillon Green Dragon & Tiger to his watch collection—a timepiece valued at approximately $1 million. The acquisition, confirmed in June 2026, showcases the striker's refined taste for haute horlogerie and three-dimensional mechanical sculpture. The watch arrives in 18k rose gold with an extensive diamond setting comprising over 300 baguette-cut white diamonds across the bezel and case.

The Jacob & Co. Astronomia Tourbillon Green Dragon & Tiger represents the pinnacle of the brand's signature Astronomia line, which debuted in 2014. At its core sits a hand-wound mechanical movement featuring a flying tourbillon—a precision-governing mechanism that rotates once per minute—enclosed within a transparent sapphire sphere. What distinguishes this reference is its bespoke sculptural element: intricately hand-crafted three-dimensional dragon and tiger figurines, enamelled in contrasting colours, rotate around the tourbillon in a slow, mesmerizing orbit. The dial configuration is entirely skeletonised, allowing unobstructed viewing of the movement's architecture and the rotating automatons. Water resistance stands at 30 metres, typical for dress complications of this calibre.

Each Astronomia Tourbillon variant is crafted to individual client specification, making precise production data difficult to quantify. The Green Dragon & Tiger iteration, with its enamel-work and sculptural detail, represents one of Jacob & Co.'s most labour-intensive commissions. Assembly requires hundreds of hours of hand-finishing and assembly by master watchmakers in the brand's Geneva and New York ateliers. Only a handful of similar examples have entered the secondary market, each commanding prices at or above the original retail figure due to their bespoke nature and collector demand.

Neymar Jr.'s acquisition aligns with his documented affinity for complicated watches and statement jewellery. His collection reportedly includes pieces from Rolex, Audemars Piguet, and Richard Mille—brands favoured by athletes seeking both technical excellence and visual impact. The Astronomia Tourbillon Green Dragon & Tiger, with its theatrical animation and sculptural presence, appeals to collectors who view timepieces as wearable art rather than purely functional instruments.

The $1 million retail price reflects the watch's bespoke nature, materials cost (18k rose gold and over 300 baguette diamonds), and the extraordinary craftsmanship required to animate the three-dimensional sculptures. On the grey market, comparable Astronomia Tourbillon examples with full diamond settings have sold in the €850,000–€1.2 million range, depending on condition and specification. Waitlists for Jacob & Co. Astronomia Tourbillon pieces extend several years, with custom specifications adding further delay.