ReviewPresenting The Sportiest Watch From Jacob & Co: The Big And Bold Epic X Chrono

An Overview

Jacob & Co have a well-deserved reputation for pioneering haute watchmaking and developing timepieces that the world has never seen before. The brand are driven by imagination, and it is all about making the impossible possible. While Jacob & Co have gained recognition for some of the mechanically challenging and visually stunning watches in the last 10 years, the brand also produce timepieces that are more in tune with the rhythm of daily life, such as the Epic X line. First launched in 2015, the original Epic X was created by French jewellery and watch designer Benjamin Muller—the founder of independent watch brand M Benjamin—prior to the Epic X being re-licensed by Jacob & Co. It was originally known as Spyder in M Benjamin’s repertoire.

The Epic X is characterised by dramatic angled lugs that extend from bezel to embrace the strap like legs of a spider. In line with their qualities of spectacle and exceptional mechanics, Jacob & Co advanced the Epic X line by introducing the Epic X Chrono collection, featuring a Swiss-made column-wheel chronograph movement—the most reliable mechanical chronograph movement—developed in-house by Jacob & Co.

Initial Impressions

At first glance, the Epic X Chrono line stands out for its flamboyant and dexterously crafted pieces. It is distinguished by the recognisable X-shaped lugs, dial appliqués, and especially the coloured mineral glass dials, which combine fine materials with a bi-compax layout of the sub-dials. These watches offer an integrated design and technical finesse for utmost comfort and flair. The intricate casing is packed with fine features that give it an exclusive look and feel. The construction is built to withstand anything and everything you can throw at it, demonstrating that it is a true sports watch. Available in a variety of materials and colours, the Epic X Chrono is Jacob & Co’s sportiest watch.

Here's a version presenting dual-toned perfection, in 18-karat rose gold with glossy black ceramic on the bezel

The Epic X Chrono presents an integrated design and technical finesse, providing utmost comfort and flair

Jacob & Co. Epic X Chrono

₹60,00,000

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The Definitive Details

The case

The Epic X Chrono’s instantly identifiable appearance is the result of complex design, infused with highly considered details and combined with high-end materials. The case sits comfortably on the wrist despite its huge size—at 47mm in diameter. It has been designed to fit a wide variety of wrist sizes, owing to the steep inclination of the lugs. Helping ensure water resistance up to 200m, the two crowns—on either side of the case—are screwed down. The one on the right is for time-setting, while the one at 10 o’clock is used to control the inner rotating bezel. In addition to this, the case also features two rubber chronograph pushers. Making a bold statement, thanks to its carefully constructed and durable architecture, the watch is assuredly as sturdy as it appears to be. Offering a multitude of alternatives to choose from, it is available in variety of combinations of solid 18-karat gold, white or black ceramic, grade-5 titanium, or forged carbon fibre.

The Epic X Chrono uses the letter ‘X’ as a design motif stretching from the claw-shaped lugs and traversing into the dial with thick double bars

₹57,60,000

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It has been designed to fit a wide variety of wrist sizes, owing to the steep inclination of the lugs

₹57,60,000

Check Our Selling Price

The crowns on the sides of the case are screwed down, The one on the right is for time-setting, while the one at 10 o’clock is used to control the inner rotating bezel

₹57,60,000

Check Our Selling Price

The rose gold case also features two rubber chronograph pushers.

₹57,60,000

Check Our Selling Price

The luxurious finishing on the movement is visible even through the coloured mineral crystal layer of the caseback

₹57,60,000

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Carrying forward the Epic X collection’s key element, it continues to use the letter ‘X’ as a design motif stretching from the claw-shaped lugs and traversing into the dial with thick double bars.

The dial

The double bars that are an extension of the ‘X’ motif perfectly intersect with the sub-dials without making the dial look cluttered. The bi-compax configuration places the two counters with white markings horizontally across the centre of the dial. With the running seconds at nine, the 30-minute chronograph counter is at three. Enhance the functional appeal of the display are skeletonised hour and minute hands with Super-LumiNova on the tips, while the central chronograph hand is in red. And the 60-minute timer of the rotating inner bezel—to be adjusted with using the crown at 10—is a welcome add-on feature.

Meanwhile, the main mechanism inside can be seen through the smoked mineral crystal dial, which offers a peek at the exquisitely finished components of the column-wheel chronograph movement behind it. Positioned as an everyday luxury sports watch, with a skeletonised dial, it is available in multiple variants to choose from. Each variant has a character of its own. While in some pieces the coloured mineral glass dial and strap are matched for a more coordinated appearance, in others the dial is combined with a white or black strap.

Jacob & Co Epic X Chrono SHOP THE COLLECTION

The movement

The Epic X Chrono runs on the in-house skeletonised self-winding calibre JCAA05. This chronograph movement features a column-wheel mechanism, which is considered superior. The automatic winding is carried out by an oscillating mass in anthracite. It can help the movement store a power reserve of 48 hours, while it beats at a frequency of 28,800vph. The luxurious finishing on the movement is visible even through the coloured mineral crystal layer of the caseback.

Straps

With the Epic X Chrono line, Jacob & Co have played on contrast with different colours and materials. The choice of rubber straps enhances the sporty quality, especially with the perforation, in a honeycomb pattern. This increases wearing comfort as well—just another aspect that makes this watch suitable for daily wear. Seen primarily in white and black, depending on the case materials and dial colours, each colourway makes for a striking appearance—whether you opt for an intense monochromatic black, or a more vibrant green, red or blue.

Jacob & Co Epic X Chrono SHOP THE COLLECTION

A Final Word

Ranging from sporty and robust to precious and vivid, the Epic X Chrono grabs attention in more ways than one. It proves to be an architecturally formidable timepiece with a robust and reliable automatic movement. And the diversity in the range shows how versatile the design is really. A high-end sports watch that works well as an everyday piece, the Epic X Chrono is probably the most wearable Jacob & Co watch out there.