Watch Paparazzi

Mixed martial artist Khabib Nurmagomedov spotted wearing Jacob & Co

At an outdoor event in Dubai, retired UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov was photographed alongside a Qatari dignitary, his left wrist carrying what is arguably the most personalised timepiece in combat-sports collecting: a bespoke Jacob & Co Epic X in black DLC-treated titanium, limited to 100 examples and engraved specifically to commemorate his flawless professional record.

The Epic X platform, introduced by Jacob & Co in 2018, was designed from the ground up as an ultra-sports skeleton watch. The case measures 44mm in black DLC titanium and adopts the brand's signature angular, multi-faceted architecture — aggressively sculpted lugs, an octagonal-influenced case middle, and a crown protector on the right flank. This example carries a vivid acid-green inner chapter ring, providing contrast against the open-worked carbon-fibre-patterned movement plate. The manual-winding JCAM19 calibre beats at 21,600 vph and delivers a 60-hour power reserve; its twin flying tourbillons, visible through the skeletonised dial, are the centrepiece of the display. A black textile strap with rubber lining completes the sport-ready aesthetic.

What elevates this particular reference above standard Epic X production is the custom engraving programme. The right-side bridge reads '29-0' — Khabib's unbeaten professional MMA record — while 'The Eagle', his fighting nickname, is inscribed on the green inner ring. Jacob & Co has a well-documented history of athlete collaborations, but a 100-piece numbered edition commissioned around a single fighter's legacy is notably rare even within that portfolio.

Khabib Nurmagomedov, who retired in October 2020 following his second-round submission of Justin Gaethje, has cultivated a sophisticated luxury profile since leaving competition. His watch collection spans several haute horlogerie houses, but the Epic X commission stands apart as a deliberate monument to career achievement rather than a straightforward brand partnership.

On the secondary market, standard Epic X references trade at or slightly above retail depending on configuration. This custom 100-piece edition, carrying significant narrative provenance, commands a meaningful premium among both MMA memorabilia collectors and independent-watchmaking enthusiasts. With a retail list price of approximately $23,000 USD, it represents Jacob & Co's accessible entry into bespoke athlete editions — though its collectibility is anything but entry-level.