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royal Yang Di-pertuan Agong Of Malaysia Sultan Muhammad V spotted wearing a Jacob & Co

Royal Yang Di-pertuan Agong Of Malaysia Sultan Muhammad V spotted wearing Jacob & Co

30/11/2022

Description: Jacob & Co Twin Turbo Twin Triple Axis Tourbillon Minute Repeater Black DLC Titanium – Limited to 18 Pieces | Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V
Brand: Jacob & Co
Ref: unknown
List Price: $280,000
Market Price (estimated): unknown
See this watch: eBay  |  Watch accessories & books: accessories · books

At what appears to be a Malaysian Armed Forces ceremonial parade, Sultan Muhammad V — then serving as Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, Malaysia's constitutional monarch — was photographed in full military dress uniform with a strikingly complex timepiece on his left wrist. The angular, skeletonised dial with its red chapter ring and exposed twin tourbillon cages is immediately identifiable as the Jacob & Co Twin Turbo Twin Triple Axis Tourbillon Minute Repeater, one of the most mechanically ambitious wristwatches ever commercialised.

The Twin Turbo houses the Jacob & Co calibre JCAM39, a manual-winding movement featuring two independent triple-axis flying tourbillons positioned symmetrically at 8 and 4 o'clock. Each tourbillon cage rotates simultaneously on three axes — inner cage at 8.5 seconds, middle cage at 30 seconds, outer cage at 60 seconds — demanding extraordinary tolerance in micro-engineering. Layered on top is a cathedral gong minute repeater that chimes hours, quarter hours, and minutes on demand. The case is DLC-coated titanium in a distinctive Twin Turbo tonneau shape, measuring approximately 47mm × 57mm, worn on a black alligator strap. The red-lacquered inner bezel ring visible in the reference image confirms the specific red dial variant.

Limited to just 18 pieces worldwide, the Twin Turbo occupies a rarefied tier even within Jacob & Co's Grand Complication Masterpieces collection. The simultaneous execution of two triple-axis tourbillons and a minute repeater in a single movement is achieved by only a handful of manufactures globally, and Jacob & Co's choice to skeletonise the entire dial transforms the piece into a kinetic sculpture. Collectors regard it as the brand's definitive horological statement — proof that the New York-based house can compete with traditional Swiss grandes complications on pure technical merit.

Sultan Muhammad V, who reigned as Malaysia's Head of State from 2016 to 2019, has long been associated with exceptional horology and luxury acquisitions. His appearance in military regalia alongside this watch — understated in context yet extraordinary on merit — speaks to a collector sensibility that values mechanical substance over social signalling.

At a UK list price of approximately £280,000 (roughly $350,000 USD at prevailing rates), and with grey market scarcity driving values higher given the 18-piece limitation, the Twin Turbo is effectively a museum-grade complication for the wrist. Documented royal ownership only reinforces its provenance narrative.


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Jacob & Co Opera Godfather '50th Anniversary' in 18-carat white gold, with an engraved "Godfather 50 years" logo on the case back

Ref. unknown List Price: $500,000

20/07/2023