Brand Spotlight

Jacob & Co. Unveils 'The Godfather II' Musical Watch, a Double-Melody Masterpiece

Close-up of a watch's intricate music box mechanism with a comb and cylinder.
Close-up of a watch's intricate music box mechanism with a comb and cylinder. - nationaljeweler.com

Jacob & Co. has launched its highly anticipated sequel to the acclaimed Opera Godfather musical watch, aptly named ‘The Godfather II.’ This new timepiece is a sophisticated homage to the iconic film trilogy, blending advanced horological engineering with a deeply personal narrative for the brand’s founder.

A Symphony of Cinema and Craftsmanship

‘The Godfather II’ watch stands out as a unique musical timepiece, reportedly the only one capable of playing two distinct melodies. It features two beloved compositions from ‘The Godfather’ score: ‘The Godfather’s Waltz’ and ‘The Godfather Love Theme,’ both created by Nino Rota for Francis Ford Coppola’s masterpieces. These melodies, significant to the film’s narrative, are programmed onto a single music-box barrel to maintain a compact design.

Jacob Arabo, founder and chairman of Jacob & Co., expressed his vision for this second opus: “I wanted ‘The Godfather II’ timepiece to offer a different take on the musical timepiece concept. We designed a refined, 1930s-inspired case and spent three years developing a movement that could play two melodies while remaining wearable.”

Design and Technical Innovation

The watch boasts an Art Deco-inspired, curved rectangular case crafted from 18-karat rose gold, measuring 42 x 44 mm. Its black lacquered dial evokes the noir aesthetic of the films. At its heart lies the new JCAM62 caliber, a hand-wound movement that incorporates a flying tourbillon visible through smoked sapphire glass and an integrated music box for the dual melodies. This intricate mechanism allows each melody to play for 15 to 20 seconds and can be repeated up to 10 times on a single wind.

The music box system utilizes an 18-tooth comb and a pin-studded brass cylinder. The selection between the two melodies is managed by a dedicated pusher at 10 o’clock, with the active tune indicated on the dial. The watch also features two power reserve indicators: one for the main movement, offering 72 hours of reserve, and another for the music box function.

A Personal Connection

‘The Godfather’ holds profound personal significance for Jacob Arabo. He recalls immigrating to the U.S. from Uzbekistan in 1979 at the age of 14, struggling with the language, and saving for two years to afford his first movie ticket – which was for ‘The Godfather.’ The film’s opening line, ‘I believe in America,’ resonated deeply with him as a young immigrant, forming the emotional core of Jacob & Co.’s ‘The Godfather’ creations. Each timepiece tells a dual story: that of the Corleone family and Arabo’s own journey.

Details on the watch further enhance its thematic connection. The dial features a portrait of Marlon Brando as Don Corleone and a three-dimensional applique of the film’s iconic puppet strings logo. The crown is designed with spiral grooves reminiscent of a gun barrel, and Don Corleone’s signature rose motif is engraved along the case band. The caseback includes engraved ‘bullet holes’ and a piano-shaped sapphire crystal opening that reveals the music-box comb, alongside a plate engraved with the score from ‘The Godfather Love Theme.’

Limited Edition and Availability

‘The Godfather II’ watch is produced in a limited edition of 74 pieces, a direct nod to the film’s 1974 release year. Created in partnership with Paramount Pictures, the watch retails for $440,000 and is available through the Jacob & Co. website.

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