Watch Paparazzi

Designer Karl Lagerfeld spotted wearing Jacob & Co

This archival photograph captures Karl Lagerfeld — the man who rebuilt Chanel and redefined Fendi across four decades — wearing what is unmistakably a Jacob & Co Five Time Zone in black PVD steel with a full diamond bezel. The sighting underscores Lagerfeld's lesser-discussed affinity for statement horology that matched his persona rather than the restrained tailoring he was famous for.

The Jacob & Co Five Time Zone (reference JCM47) is one of the brand's most recognized creations. Its black dial presents five sub-dials arranged symmetrically, each dedicated to a major world city: New York, L.A., Paris, Tokyo, and a fifth zone. The case measures 47mm in diameter — substantial even by modern standards — and the version Lagerfeld wore features a black PVD coating over stainless steel, a diamond-set round-stone bezel, and a black alligator strap. The quartz movement powers each zone independently, a practical conceit wrapped in extreme luxury packaging.

Jacob Arabo launched the Five Time Zone in the early 2000s, and it quickly became a status symbol straddling hip-hop culture and old-world European luxury. That crossover appeal was rare, and it explains why a figure like Lagerfeld — who curated his image with surgical precision — found the piece credible. The diamond bezel version retailed in the $15,000–$25,000 range depending on stone weight and PVD finishing, placing it firmly in the accessible luxury tier for the fashion elite.

Lagerfeld's watch choices were seldom discussed relative to his fashion output, but those who tracked him closely noted he favored bold case sizes and decorative excess — a counterpoint to the monochromatic suits and fingerless gloves that defined his public image. The Five Time Zone, at once functional and extravagant, was a natural fit.

On the secondary market, Jacob & Co Five Time Zone black PVD diamond bezel examples trade in the $8,000–$14,000 range depending on condition and stone quality. Provenance linked to figures like Lagerfeld would command a meaningful premium at auction, where the intersection of fashion history and horology continues to attract serious collector interest.