ReviewThe Dark Knight’s Newest Ally: Introducing The Jacob & Co Gotham City Limited-Edition

One of the most popular superheroes now has a new home… Yes, you read it right! The caped crusader, Batman—known for living in the shadows has come out of the darkness to embrace the complexity of the Jacob & Co universe. This is highlighted by a brilliant new timepiece—inspired from Gotham City’s unsung hero, where black and yellow hues dominate the colour scheme. This limited-edition is available in 36 pieces, crafted in black DLC titanium—an apt material choice for developing this robust timekeeper sized at 45.5mm. The Jacob & Co Gotham City timepiece boasts a layered structure—achieved through a comprehensive and advanced design process, and each and every element here—visible or hidden—is symbolic of Batman and everything that the vigilante from the DC Universe represents. For example, the crown is covered with a rubber band that’s reminiscent of Batmobile tires. The design of the lugs borrow heavily from the geometric patterns found in the Batsuit, and the most prominent feature is the central part of the dial—cut from a slab of back onyx—shaped to resemble Batman’s iconic emblem. This is further highlighted by a Neoralithe outline, which glows in the dark and shines blue—just like the Bat-Signal. This was just a teaser… let’s take a closer look.

Structural Beauty Of The Jacob & Co Gotham City Watch

The beauty of this timepiece lies in the details. The 45.5mm case is crafted in black DLC titanium and measures 17.2mm in thickness—sturdy enough to house twin, triple-axis tourbillons. Titanium has been chosen here because it’s light and hard, and is used in many airspace and advanced applications. DLC (Diamond-like Carbon) is a technology where the metal is coated with an array of carbon atoms that provide more structural strength (just like in the case of diamonds) and makes it highly resistant to wear-and-tear. Water-resistant to 30m, the case has been entirely finished with techniques such as sand-blasting and horizontal-brushing that hide all traces of shine and polish and impart a matte look to this framework. Attention-to-detail is also found on the caseback, which is covered with a signature drawing, created by Korean-American comic-book artist Jim Lee in 2003. The figure is laser-etched in black on the underside of a sapphire plate and stands out against the yellow backdrop.

The 45.5mm case is crafted in black DLC titanium and measures 17.2mm in thickness—sturdy enough to house twin, triple-axis tourbillons, while also providing more structural strength

The caseback features a signature drawing of Batman created in 2003. The figure is laser-etched in black on the underside of a sapphire plate and stands out against the yellow backdrop

The Powerful Machinery—Calibre JCFM10

The watch is driven by Calibre JCFM10, which is composed of 382 components, 56 jewels and beats at a frequency of 21,600vph to provide a power autonomy of at least 48 hours. This manual-winding movement’s design also celebrates the cult action figure in more ways than one. The tourbillon cages are designed in a manner that they shift from grey to pitch black while spinning or the bat-shaped bridge that occupies the most part of the movement’s back—all pay homage to the Dark Knight. Apart from the off-centered hours and minutes, the real complex nature of the watch is defined by the pair of triple-axis, sequential, flying, high-speed tourbillons. Each one of them rotates along three different axes and each axis drives a separate cage.

The watch is driven by Calibre JCFM10, which is composed of 382 components, 56 jewels and beats at a frequency of 21,600vph to provide a power autonomy of at least 48 hours

Apart from the off-centered hours and minutes, the real complex nature of the watch is defined by the pair of triple-axis, sequential, flying, high-speed tourbillons, placed at five and seven o’clock

Each tourbillon rotates along three different axes and each axis drives a separate cage. The first one makes a full turn in 180 seconds, the second one in 24 seconds, and the third one in 48 seconds

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As explained by the brand, ‘the first, outermost one makes a full turn in 180 seconds, the second one in 24 seconds, and the third one, closest to the 3 Hz balance wheel, in 48 seconds. This is way ahead of the traditional one-minute rotation of a flat tourbillon, and also when compared to many multi-axis tourbillons… that’s the reason they are referred to as ‘high-speed tourbillons’, by the brand. Placed at five and seven o’clock, these tourbillons have no upper bridge and are only grounded to the main plate underneath, which enhances their flying tourbillon design. There is a spring, mounted on the wheel, which drives the tourbillon by accumulating the energy required for the cages to jump forward. These operate in large incremental moves, thereby creating a series of sequential and highly visible moves, with pauses in between.

This tribute to Batman is secured to the wrist by a rubber strap—also executed in a black and yellow colour scheme. While hints of yellow peep from underneath, the top portion is designed like ballistic nylon—a type of fabric found in bullet-proof vests—an ode to the Dark Knight’s cape.