It costs $7 million to purchase this gleaming specimen.
This latest release from Swiss watchmaker Jacob & Co. may take the cake for being one of the most lavish timepieces that Jacob & Co. has ever produced. With the Billionaire Ashoka, it is an updated version of its Billionaire watch that is adorned with 189 carats of William Goldberg’s Ashoka diamonds. A unique cut named Ashoka Maurya was developed by a famous warrior in the third century who was also known as one of India’s greatest emperors. The price of this sparkling specimen is seven million dollars.
The Billionaire Ashoka is the first of many Ashokas made by the Billionaire Group, and it is only one of those that will ever be made because less than one percent of diamonds qualify for this title. There are 62 examples of the exclusive gem, faceted with precision, covering every portion of the unique piece, from the case to the bracelet to the clasp. A diamond with this cut is estimated to appear up to 30 percent larger than a standard emerald-cut diamond of the same weight, according to Jacob & Co.
This spectacular new timepiece from Jacob & Co. is covered in diamonds. The Billionaire ASHOKA® from Jacob & Co. is an exquisite piece of timepiece that will be adorned with diamonds. The Billionaire ASHOKA® is a piece unique, and there will only ever be one of these pieces available. The entire case, bracelet and clasp of the watch are covered in ASHOKA® diamonds, except for one rose-cut white diamond on top. The total carat weight of this stunningly unique piece is over 189 carats.
Taking center stage behind the diamond façade is the skeletonized caliber JCAM09 tourbillon movement, which accentuates the strong angular shape of the watch. Intricate and handcrafted, this movement is made up of 167 elements and 19 jewels and can be operated for 72 hours. To complete the design, a final rose-cut jewel is affixed to the crown to add even more sparkle.
The first iteration of the Billionaire watch was unveiled at Baselworld in 2015, where its unique composition and affordable price point made waves. For the entire length of the case, bracelet and clasp, it uses an inverted pyramid style bead setting, which is a special method of setting 260 carats of diamonds in an emerald-cut diamond setting. As a result of the GIA certification of all the stones, some of the largest were up to three carats in themselves and all of them were laid on an 18K white gold foundation. Having a sapphire crystal case and caseback allowed the dial to appear as if it was floating in space, making the overall appearance more appealing.
