Playful watches are nothing new, but roulette watches uniquely bring the casino to the wrist. Fancy getting a quick game in?
Some watches show you the remaining power reserve of their mechanical heart. Others track the moon’s positioning throughout the month. Some luxury timepieces even showcase tourbillons through the dial or chime on the hour. Not a roulette watch, though. Few manufacturers in the industry have one of these in their catalog. Jacob & Co is one that masterfully captures the roaring 60s and the socialites and elegant gamblers that populated it.
That’s not to say that Jacob & Co is the only brand that makes a roulette watch. There are some affordable roulette-inspired watches available out there. To name a few, Romago, Tissot, and Baltic have all created takes on the gambler’s favorite game. Perhaps not quite as elaborate as a Jacob & Co watch, they still have something to offer the roulette enthusiast. They’re quirky, a little gimmicky, and certainly not for everyone.
Still, if one of your lifelong goals is to own a collection comprising every watch complication, consider the roulette watch. Even if these watches are way out of your price range (join the club), they are worth appreciating for their artistry and complexity.
So, without further ado, let’s explore what a roulette watch is and admire some of the best on the market.
Table of Contents
A Real Roulette Watch With Ball
The best place to start when covering the category of roulette watches is with Jacob & Co. The manufacturer, after all, has made two attempts at making one, both of which are exemplary. It also makes some of the most expensive watches in the world.
Just like the brand itself, roulette watches are an acquired taste. They appeal to a small, niche circle of collectors. Those who love a night at the casino will appreciate how this manufacturer captures the culture of the gambling scene.
Many of Jacob & Co’s flamboyant and elaborate watch designs are outright ridiculous. But they show the world they’re not afraid to stray off the beaten path. Some of the brand’s watches feature triple-axis tourbillons depicting the solar system. Others feature “split flap” displays evoking arrival boards found in airport terminals and train stations. Some even track five time zones at once and take inspiration from oil pumps and excavation trucks.
The Astronomia Casino
Jacob & Co’s clientele includes Lionel Messi, Jay-Z, and Drake. Speaking of Drake, the famous Canadian rapper is a fan of Jacob & Co. In particular, he wears the Astronomia Casino — a roulette watch with a ball.
It’s one of the most elaborately crafted roulette watches on the market. This watch features a magnesium lacquered globe and double-axis tourbillon, which borrows from the original Astronomia Concept. Suffice it to say, of all the complications you should know about, this is one of the rarer ones.
The watch is a fully-fledged, wearable casino game in miniature form. A series of 37 pockets in black and red lacquer frame the green zero in a design that mirrors a real-life roulette carousel.
When the wearer activates the mechanism, the wheel spins rapidly. A white ceramic ball shoots around the roulette, landing in a pocket above a three-dimensional movement.
All the while, the double-axis tourbillon takes the form of the solar system. It moves a continually rotating Earth, which spins on its own axis, showing off its hand-lacquered decoration. Also, a glistening 1-carat white diamond moon spins a complete revolution every 30 seconds.
The Second Gen Jacob and Co Roulette Watch
If you thought the Astronomia Casino was a little too flashy, I wouldn’t blame you. Its extravagant design is quite the talking point. But not everyone wants that level of attention. The second generation of the Jacob and Co Roulette watch is much more modest and understated. At the same time, there is a lot to admire about its design.
This model, once again, takes inspiration from the heyday of the casino and the indulgent lifestyle we associate with Las Vegas and Monte Carlo. It’s clear by comparing the two that the latter of the roulette wheel watches by Jacob & Co is much more understated. Let’s look at the features of this watch in some more detail.
The Casino Roulette Watch by Jacob & Co
The Casino Roulette watch from Jacob & Co. boasts a flying tourbillon on the back, shining the spotlight on the dial. Its wide caseback stretches to a 44mm diameter to accommodate this miniature take on the roulette game. The 18k rose gold case has a curved sapphire crystal glass, an exhibition opening on the back, and 30-meter water resistance.
The roulette table presents itself on a black onyx surface adorned with 37 pockets and a green “0.” Underneath the focal point is the Calibre JCAM51, which offers 72 hours of power reserve and comprises 268 components.
Although it doesn’t look as elaborate as the Astronomia Casino Roulette complication, this watch is still complex. And, of course, if you’re wearing any Jacob & Co watch, you will command some level of attention.
When you activate the pusher at 7 o’clock, the wheel head that drives the roulette board spins fast. This simultaneously spins the white ceramic ball into action, bouncing around before landing in a pocket.
As I mentioned earlier, Jacob & Co. presents the Calibre JCAM51 through the rear side of the case. Here, it provides a cinematic experience of the tourbillon at play.
Tissot Roulette Watch — A Cheaper Alternative
You might be a chance taker and love all things casino style. You may also love the thought of a roulette watch in your collection. But the options we’ve shown so far are expensive. The Casino Tourbillon retails for a staggering $280,000, and the Astronomia for an impossible $740,000. What to do, you ask?
Add the Tissot roulette to your wish list. I admit it doesn’t double as a handy little wrist-worn roulette game. However, the watch’s reverse depicts a roulette table nodding to the game.
It’s a subtler interpretation of a roulette wheel watch, gearing its classic design towards high rollers and gamblers. Best of all, you can find this watch on the pre-owned market for around $250. Bargain.
I spoke about Baltic and Romago earlier. Both brands offer designs inspired by the game of roulette, although they aren’t quite as whimsical as Jacob & Co.’s masterpieces. What they do offer, however, is a classic and subdued design.
The Tissot roulette watch could fool you into thinking it’s just an ordinary dress watch at a glance. But on the caseback, the design of a roulette table conceals a quartz movement while nodding nicely to the game.
This is a classic black three-handed sword-shaped dial with Arabic hour numerals. The dial also pairs with a black alligator leather strap that looks stylish with all attire.
FAQs
These FAQs can help provide you with a little more insight into the roulette watch.
How Much Is the Jacob & Co Roulette Watch?
The Jacob & Co Roulette Casino watch retails for a jaw-dropping $280,000. Even more expensive is the Jacob & Co Astronomia Roulette watch, which sells for around $740,000.
Are Roulette Watches Popular?
Roulette watches are quite a niche collectible and will only really appeal to those passionate about the game.
What Is the Most Popular Roulette Watch?
The most popular roulette watch is the Jacob & Co Roulette Casino. The brand is synonymous with ostentatious timepieces, two of which are roulette models. The Casino version is much more classic-looking than the flamboyant Astronomia Roulette model.
My Thoughts
The roulette watch is a quirky, portable game of chance perfect for casino-loving individuals. However, its complexity and features vary drastically on the market. While brands like Baltic create timepieces that display time on a roulette-inspired dial, others are more extravagant.
Jacob & Co, one of the most expensive brands in the world, is clearly leading the way in this field. The brand’s elaborate and flamboyant designs occupy the casino-loving sector. It produces timepieces that emulate a wrist-sized casino that you can play and wear as you go. As far as concept watches go, these have to be the best casino-inspired watches on the market, but like I say, they aren’t to everyone’s tastes.
However, if you’re looking for something more affordable, consider the Tissot Roulette watch.
Is a roulette watch on your bucket list? Which timepiece do you have your eye on? Leave your comments below. Don’t forget, for more guides like this, sign up for our newsletter at The Slender Wrist right now!
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