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replica Jacob & Co. Astronomia Casino Watch Hands-On

The Jacob & Co. Astronomia Casino, also known as the Jacob & Co. Astronomia Gambler, is another unique creation from Jacob & Co., and its conception, design, and production are another step towards their goal of dominating the field of over-designed, fun-filled, ultra-high-end watches - because such a product does exist, and in fact has existed for many years.

In the mid-2000s, the Harry Winston Opus watch was all the rage - it is widely regarded as the originator of high-end watch creation, breaking the established limits of design and function - and the teenage years were attracted to large complications such as Jaquet Droz musical works, perpetual calendars, chronographs, and timekeeping devices from big brands. (Some basic research will make you realize how the value of these products from brands such as Audemars Piguet, IWC, Lange, etc. has dropped all the way, sometimes even to 25% to 30% of the original price.) Why do I say this? Firstly, because I recently realised that this is common with “super-complication” watches, not just “one-off” bad ones, and secondly, it suggests that many of the people who can afford these things are ready to take a loss on their purchases (or even if they are not, they are forced to do so if they want to exit their positions in these replica swiss watches).

Why are these traditionally valuable watches now so “worthless” that only a few examples are left as valuable as currency? Firstly, because they were produced in large excess. As a result, the sheer volume of these watches in stock is truly staggering. Another factor to consider is that they are no longer attractive – in the eyes of their original owners. Perpetual calendar love was addictive in the late 2000s, but when your only comment on a key complication in your watch is “Yeah, it doesn't seem to do anything now, but do you know how complicated it is?” – it's not a good sign.

Like it or not, the resale value of these once-coveted watches says more about their current popularity than I thought. Those willing to spend six figures on watches have turned to watches that meet one or more of the following criteria: 1) novel, 2) interesting, 3) expressive, 4) unique, and 5) easy to appreciate. The universal rule of watches is that the more criteria they meet, the higher the price. The Jacob & Co. Astronomia Casino watch does all of these things and more.

At an impressively thin 27.9mm (more than an inch thick!), this watch is simply amazing and can be easily appreciated from close up or across the table. It's like sitting at the table with a Francis Bacon painting from the 1940s hanging overhead, like sailing, and understated. Its heaviness comes from the multi-layered, multi-functional JCAM29A movement, which consists of the Astronomia "vertical movement" and a rotating platform composed of four rotating arms, and the fully functional, fully mechanized roulette complication located below it.

First, a few words about the Astronomia movement. Although Jacob & Co. has created many different movements, this one is still the best in terms of its construction and functionality. Powered by a single mainspring, it has a power reserve of up to 60 hours (depending on the model and additional complications), and almost everything except the barrel and the “crown” (a crown replacement on the caseback) for winding and setting is housed in this four-arm movement.https://www.grand-watch.co

The four arms support a biaxial tourbillon (which will become a triaxial tourbillon, as I'll explain later), a miniature globe made of blue magnesium, a 1-carat, 288-faceted Jacob's-cut diamond (which also rotates on its own axis), and a differential-driven chronograph subdial. The four arms simultaneously rotate around the dial once every 10 minutes – and it is this rotation that adds a third 10-minute axis to the tourbillon.

The time display rotates with this assembly, so a differential is needed to prevent it from flipping over as it rotates around the dial. This allows the subdials to remain level, the hands to move, and the entire assembly to rotate in sync.

The tourbillon and the spinning diamonds are impressive, but my two favorite features of the Astronomia are the differential-driven time display and the fact that the two opposing swinging arms are perfectly balanced against each other. This is a clever piece of “invisible engineering” that prevents the movement from being overloaded by the weight of the swinging arms, which would pull or push the delicate gear train components.

The highlight of this Astronomia is, of course, its roulette complication. Pressing the button at 8 o'clock on the case causes the roulette wheel to spin powerfully, ejecting small white ceramic balls. To prevent the balls from entering the movement, the entire roulette mechanism is placed behind a sapphire crystal. Every time the button is pressed, the complication operates with reassurance, and every detail is perfect and exemplary.

The roulette wheel is crafted from 18k rose gold, with 36+1 grids in black and red enamel. As I said, the thickness is 27.9mm and the case diameter is 47mm. Oddly enough, the overall wearing experience is another way the Astronomia Casino plays games with one's senses, as the lugs are short and angled downward. From directly above, the overall effect is acceptable – even on my slender wrist, which is 6.75 inches in diameter. However, once I start to lay the watch flat away from my body, it starts to reveal its crazy case construction, topped by a wide, curved front sapphire crystal. Speaking of which, the case band is a full circle of sapphire crystal, which, paired with the skeletonized lugs, makes it easy to admire the Jacob & Co. Astronomia Casino in action.

The Jacob & Co Astronomia Casino replica luxury watches, it is a unique piece. It is more playful than any traditional grand complication watch, and even if you are not a gambler, the construction of this movement is sure to attract the watch lover in you.

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