Jacob & Co. has finally given us a proper sequel to the Godfather-themed timepiece it debuted in 2019
The aptly named Godfather II is another homage to Francis Ford Coppola’s acclaimed 1970s gangster films, but it is even more mechanically advanced than the original. In fact, the New York-based watch and jewellery maker claims it is the only musical watch that can play two melodies, though it seems the Christophe Claret Orchestra achieved this feat in 2016.
The Godfather was the first movie Jacob & Co. founder Jacob Arabo saw when he came to America from Uzbekistan and became the inspiration for one of his largest horological endeavors. “When I came to the U.S. in 1979, I was 14 and didn’t speak the language,” he recalls. “It took me two years to afford a movie ticket.”
Jacob & Co. entered into a partnership with Paramount Pictures in 2019, acquiring the rights to the award-winning film and releasing the Opera Godfather. It has since released a handful of dazzling iterations, but The Godfather II represents the start of an entirely new narrative.
The limited edition is powered by a fresh in-house movement (JCAM62 calibre) with an entirely new melody selector complication at 10 o’clock that allows the wearer to choose between two snippets of Nino Rota’s world-famous score by pressing a pusher at 8 o’clock. One is the ubiquitous main theme tune, the other is the song that plays during the wedding scene. Each melody plays for 15 to 20 seconds and can be repeated up to 10 times on a single wind. (The Opera Godfather only played the theme song.)
That is all possible thanks to an intricate music box system at the heart of the JCAM62 caliber. The streamlined movement also incorporates a one-minute flying tourbillon and dual power reserve indicators—one of which tracks the energy available for the music box.
All those complex inner workings are impressively housed in a new Art Deco-inspired case, with a rectangular shape that distinguishes it from the circular original. It is also smaller than the Opera Godfather, measuring 42 mm rather than 49 mm, and presented in rose gold rather than white gold.
The successor is overall more refined. The black lacquer dial, which nods to the film’s noir aesthetic, has been simplified, with only a few references to Don Corleone. (A silhouette of his face and a red rose like the one on his lapel at his daughter’s wedding.) The caseback features engraved bullet holes and a piano-shaped sapphire opening that glimpses the music box inside.
“I wanted The Godfather II timepiece to offer a different take on the musical timepiece concept,” adds Arabo. “We designed a refined, 1930s-inspired case and spent three years developing a movement that could play two melodies while remaining wearable.”
The new watch will be limited to 74 pieces in honour of The Godfather II’s release date, with each one priced at US$440,000.
This story was first published on Robb Report USA. Featured photo by Jacob & Co.
