For centuries, gambling has captured our imagination. From ancient dice games to modern casino favorites, the thrill of taking a risk has always attracted us. From roulette to modern casino games, the roots of gambling can be traced back to the Middle Ages. Jacob & Co has taken this timeless excitement and incorporated it into the Casino Tourbillon, a wristwatch that captures the essence of roulette in a captivating way.
spinning the wheel
The general concept of any gambling game is the risk versus reward system. Roulette, named after the French term for ‘little wheel’ is one of the most popular games of gambling and incorporates a spinning wheel and ball system, with slots from 0 or 00 to 36. Betting is done on individual numbers, odds or evens, black versus red, a group of neighboring numbers, or a section of the betting board. Usually, there’s a minimum and maximum betting limit, although a no-limit table gets rid of that if you want. The payout can be anything from 1:1 to 35:1, depending on how much risk you’re willing to take. Betting on an individual number limits your options but significantly increases the payout. Betting on odds versus even or black versus red numbers gives you a 50-50 chance. Narrowing down your bet dramatically cuts down the probability of winning.
Roulette is a game of pure probability, so there is a chance you might get lucky and walk away with minimum losses or even a win. However, it’s important to remember that the house usually has the advantage. Instead of relying on luck, consider investing in a watch that allows you to determine the outcomes. A watch like the Jacob & Co Casino Tourbillon, for instance.
wrist-sized roulette
The Casino Tourbillon brings the classic roulette game down to a 44mm size that you can wear on your wrist. What’s unique is that it remains a fully functional game, ready to play whenever you want. A push button with an elongated guard, shaped somewhat like a traditional slider on a minute repeater, spins the wheel. The little white ceramic ball is flung around and eventually lands on a single number. The outcome is entirely up to you. It can be used to determine who picks up the bar tab between you and your friends or who will be the designated driver for the night. And if desired, you can even apply official roulette rules, especially if you’re fortunate enough to take on the role of the house in the instance of a payout.
The spinning wheel is mounted on a set of miniature ceramic ball bearings to ensure smooth spins. The wheel features 37 slots in total, including a single green 0 slot and numbers ranging from 1 to 36 in black and red. The little white ball moves around inside the wheel, thanks to the sloped flange with diamond-shaped deflectors that enhance the bounce. When it lands on a specific number and you or your friends have placed a bet on that number, someone wins! It’s a fun and interactive experience. Of course, for a fair game, the watch needs to be positioned level.
The Casino Tourbillon is not only a game but also a wristwatch. It features an elevated black onyx dial with gold indices and a pair of gold hands for the hours and minutes. The dial is designed to ensure that the roulette ball does not interfere with the hands and get jammed between the crystal and the dial. The watch is housed in a 4mm wide polished rose gold case, which is relatively simple-looking compared to other Jacob & Co watches. It lacks a traditional crown and can be wound and set with a pair of flip-up keys, similar to the Astronomia Revolution.
A mostly hidden marvel
The Casino Tourbillon features the in-house developed JCAM51 manually-wound movement, which is almost completely hidden from sight. Unlike other Jacob & Co watches, where the mechanical components are exposed, the roulette game takes center stage in this timepiece. However, the caseback reveals the flying tourbillon escapement, finished with stylized roulette wheel slots that bear the Jacob & Co name on the tourbillon cage. The caseback is also decorated with sections of a roulette wheel in relief on three appliques held in place with screws.
The movement consists of 286 individual components and runs at a rate of 21,600 vph. When fully wound using the left-sided flip-up key, it can hold a power reserve of up to 72 hours. To set the time, simply flip up the right key on the front. The watch features a clever and easy-to-use system that keeps its dimensions in check. The entire movement is developed from scratch, with only the roulette module borrowed from the Astronomia Casino, released in 2020.
Worn on a black alligator strap with a rose gold deployant buckle, the Jacob & Co Casino Tourbillon is a limited edition of 101 pieces and is priced at USD 280,000. While it may be a significant investment, the fun and functional roulette system offer a chance to win some of it back from those who dare to take on the challenge. However, it’s essential to gamble responsibly and avoid risking more than you can afford to lose.
For more information, please visit JacobandCo.com.
casino watch
