It may seem like yesterday, but the Jacob & Co. Astronomia has reached its 10th anniversary. What began in 2015 as a bold statement in horology — a four-arm orbital display integrated into the movement — has evolved into a decade-long saga of increasingly complex mechanics. Over the years, Astronomia has introduced more celestial flourishes and ever more elaborate expressions of visual watchmaking.

In the past two years, however, Jacob & Co. has taken a decisive step forward by refining rather than embellishing. The latest creation, the Astronomia Revolution Fourth Dimension, is perhaps the clearest example of this new era — one that prioritizes serious watchmaking. It’s the first-ever quadruple-axis tourbillon, now a production model after its debut at Only Watch 2023. This is not just the next chapter in Astronomia’s story; it is, in many ways, its ultimate form.

The Astronomia language

From a collector’s perspective, the Astronomia is a great modern watch. It’s an original creation conceived from the ground up, movement included, and a defining piece in the history of contemporary watchmaking. Its highly visual time display, integrated directly into the movement, is unique to this era.

While extravagant designs and constructions often fade with time, particularly among smaller independent brands, Jacob & Co. has proven the longevity of both its brand and the Astronomia collection. As the Astronomia has evolved, so too has its design language. Over the years, it has shed its more theatrical elements, maturing into a purer, more technical expression. Here, the once-ornate planetary motifs have given way to a display entirely focused on mechanics — streamlined, disciplined, and built to endure.

For example, the Revolution now features just two arms, fewer than the original four, and far less than some of its more elaborate predecessors. Yet it doesn’t feel any less striking. This is due in part to a clever visual illusion: a highly polished, mirror-like dial that isn’t flat but subtly three-dimensional. Covered in a geometric landscape of small pyramids, each varying in size and orientation, it creates a futuristic yet opulent aesthetic. The effect is almost otherworldly, evoking the grandeur of an ancient yet technologically advanced civilization.

In fact, the dial is an improvement even over the recent Astronomia Revolution, which featured a flat honeycomb design. This iteration, however, is more refined — architectural, dynamic, and a true evolution of the collection’s design language.

The case construction retains the highly skeletonized design, which is a signature of the Astronomia since day one. Essentially a frame with sapphire windows all around, it remains an effective and fitting choice. The same design language applies, meaning it’s still an extra-large 47mm wide and 27mm tall. But in truth, these dimensions are necessary to create the watch’s striking visual presence. One notable aspect is the color pairing: both the case and dial are in rose gold, lending a luxurious feel distinct from the look of some Astronomia models with blue aventurine dials.

The world’s first four-axis tourbillon

At the heart of the watch is its namesake: the fourth axis of rotation. Triple-axis tourbillons have been around, but a quadruple-axis tourbillon? That’s new.

The first axis

The first axis: This follows the familiar horizontal rotation of a conventional tourbillon, completing one revolution every 60 seconds.

The second axis

The second axis: This tilts the entire cage at an angle against its mounting, rotating much faster at 18 seconds per cycle.

The third axis

The third axis: The entire mounting spin around itself at an even faster pace, at just 15 seconds per revolution.

The fourth axis

The fourth axis: The entire arm, including the dial, rotates once every 60 seconds. That’s an impressive leap in speed, considering earlier Astronomia models had a 20-minute rotation period, later shortened to ten minutes. It wasn’t until the Revolution series that it was reduced to just one minute.

Beyond the spectacle of four axes, there’s another technical milestone: the remontoir, a constant-force mechanism unlike any other. Instead of releasing energy once per second, it does so every one-sixth of a second, making it the fastest remontoir in the world. Why? According to Jacob & Co.’s head of watchmaking, the sheer power required to drive both the tourbillon and the rotating dial — the entire dial now completes a full turn every minute — demands an exceptionally high-torque mainspring. Left unchecked, that force could overwhelm the movement. The solution is this ultra-high-frequency constant force mechanism, delivering energy in smaller, precisely measured pulses to regulate the balance wheel.

The aesthetic approach perfectly complements the watch’s construction. The contemporary finishing techniques align with the modern design language, creating a cohesive and sophisticated appearance. The result achieves a refined quality that enhances the overall concept. This philosophy represents a thoughtful departure from traditional decorative conventions, where finishing styles are specifically selected to harmonize with forward-thinking design elements. The end product successfully balances innovation with luxury craftsmanship, establishing its own distinct identity in modern horology.

Tech Specs: Jacob & Co. Astronomia Revolution Fourth Dimension

Movement: Manual-winding JCAM54; 36-hour power reserve
Functions: Hours and minutes; 60-second four-axis flying tourbillon; 1/6th second high-frequency constant force device
Case: 47mm × 27mm; 18K rose gold and sapphire; 30m water-resistance
Dial: Openworked with mirror-polished 5N gold-plated backplate dial
Strap: Red alligator leather
Limited edition: 18 pieces
Price: USD 700,000