The Jacob & Co. Billionaire linked to Flavio Briatore was presented in 2015 as a one-of-a-kind watch. Contemporary coverage put its launch-era price at 18 million Swiss francs or US$18 million—not the often-repeated $18.3 million figure, which the available reports do not substantiate. The reports establish a collaboration, but do not establish that Briatore personally owned the finished watch.
How much did the Jacob & Co. Billionaire watch cost?
Reports around the watch’s 2015 launch give two differently denominated figures: Forbes México reported 18 million Swiss francs, while The National and Forbes Brasil reported US$18 million. Those are launch-era reported prices, not evidence of a present-day sale price or valuation. The exact $18.3 million figure in some descriptions is not supported by these contemporary reports, and the currencies should not be treated as interchangeable.
The announced price does not establish whether the original is currently available, who owns it today, or what it would sell for. No current market price or verified sale is established by the cited coverage.
What was the original watch, and what was Briatore’s role?
Forbes México reported that the watch was unveiled on March 20, 2015, during Baselworld, as a collaboration between Jacob & Co. founder Jacob Arabo and Italian businessman Flavio Briatore. The National described it as one of a kind and said its “Billionaire” name reflected the friendship and partnership between Arabo and Briatore, rather than simply its price.
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That evidence supports describing Briatore as a collaborator, not claiming that he personally owned the finished watch. Forbes Brasil said the watch was presented with Briatore and identified him as the owner of Billionaire Couture; that is not the same as confirming ownership of the watch.
What was the 2015 Billionaire made of?
Launch-era reports describe a diamond-set watch built around a skeletonized tourbillon movement. Their reported specifications include:
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- Diamonds: Forbes México reported 260 carats of emerald-cut diamonds. Forbes Brasil reported 260 carats in total and counted 239 diamonds.
- Case and bracelet: Forbes Brasil described an 18-karat white-gold case and a diamond bracelet.
- Movement: Forbes Brasil described a hand-wound JCAM09 tourbillon movement. WatchReport also identified the JCAM09 and reported 167 components.
- Power reserve: Forbes Brasil reported 72 hours.
These are details reported in 2015 coverage, not specifications verified on a current official page for the original watch. The component count is specifically a WatchReport secondary-source claim.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How does it differ from Billionaire II?
Jacob & Co.’s official specifications for Billionaire II describe a later, distinct model. Its figures should not be applied to the Briatore-linked 2015 original.
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| Specification | 2015 Billionaire | Billionaire II |
|---|---|---|
| Model and edition | Original Billionaire; reported as one of a kind by The National (2015) | Billionaire II; 18-piece edition, according to Jacob & Co.’s official page |
| Movement | JCAM09 hand-wound tourbillon, according to Forbes Brasil (2015); WatchReport reported 167 components | JCAM39 hand-wound caliber, 167 components, and a one-minute tourbillon, according to Jacob & Co. |
| Diamonds | 260 carats reported by Forbes México and Forbes Brasil (2015); Forbes Brasil counted 239 stones | 429 white diamonds totaling 161.40 carats, according to Jacob & Co. |
| Case and bracelet | 18-karat white gold and diamond bracelet, according to Forbes Brasil (2015) | 18-karat white-gold case and bracelet, according to Jacob & Co. |
Sources
- Forbes México, 2015: launch, collaboration, price and diamond weight
- The National, June 3, 2015: one-of-a-kind description, price and naming context
- Forbes Brasil, 2015: reported materials, movement and power reserve
- WatchReport, 2015: JCAM09 and reported component count
- Jacob & Co.: official Billionaire II specifications
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