In the ever-evolving theatre of haute horlogerie, Jacob & Co. remains one of its most daring players, unafraid to turn mechanical mastery into pure spectacle. Case in point? One of its most captivating creations, the Oil Pump, has been redesigned for a new chapter in its saga of kinetic storytelling. It’s a bold reimagining of the 2019 original: smaller in form, fine-tuned in design, but no less ambitious in spirit.
Originally released in 2019, the Oil Pump stunned collectors with its hypnotic automaton — twin oil derricks moving in measured rhythm, mirroring the patient, ceaseless dance of real pumpjacks. This time around, Jacob & Co. brings this vision back to life with a sleeker, more refined edition; one that preserves the poetry of motion while elevating comfort, proportion, and technical finesse.
To Benjamin Arabov, CEO of Jacob & Co., the Oil Pump is more than an automaton. Rather, it’s a story about energy, creation, and the unstoppable drive of innovation. “If you look back at our product lines, the pumpjack idea originated in the Pioneer line — a completely new kind of automaton. The entire concept pays tribute to oil as a source of wealth, not only for nations that produce it, but for civilisation as a whole. It symbolises energy, progress, and transformation — everything Jacob & Co. stands for,” says Arabov.
And he’s right — the pulse of progress is measured against the rhythm of the oil pump. When the original Oil Pump launched, it embodied the maximalist audacity of the Maison: a 49.5mm sculpture housing twin derricks, a double-axis vertical tourbillon and a dial alive with detail — grid platforms, barrels and pipelines intertwined in perfect harmony.
“It took over a year and a half to conceptualise and produce the first model,” Arabov recalls. “You had three mechanical systems — the automaton, the tourbillon and the décor — coexisting in one space. That had never been done before at this scale.”
And now this modern classic is reborn, this time in a much more wearable format, as the Oil Pump 43mm introduces a new chapter in refinement. The redesigned case — 43mm in diameter and 18mm thick — trades brute scale for elegant balance, its curves sculpted in 18 carat rose gold with sapphire inserts and a domed sapphire crystal offering a cinematic view of the mechanical choreography within.
The spectacle remains central. At 1:30, a discreet pusher activates the 35-second automaton: the derrick dips and rises with mechanical grace, capturing the visceral energy of motion in miniature. This hypnotic display is powered by the JCAM53 calibre, a hand-wound movement composed of 450 components, crowned by a flying tourbillon that makes a complete rotation every 60 seconds.
“The introduction of Oil Pump 43mm is part of a broader strategy,” says Arabov. “Keeping the DNA of our original designs — the storytelling, the emotion, the mechanical theatre — but making them more accessible. The 43mm size, the reengineered movement, the refined ergonomics… They open the concept to a wider clientele while staying faithful to the essence.”
The Oil Pump’s dial remains one of the most cinematic in modern watchmaking. It’s a stage where rose gold derricks, barrels and pipelines perform atop a black PVD grid, the Roman numeral hour and minute display bringing a note of classical restraint. The power reserve indicator, disguised as an industrial pressure gauge, adds a wink of design wit.
Each piece in this collection, limited to 88 numbered watches, is hand-finished to the brand’s demanding standards. Every bevel, bridge and burnish speaks of the Maison’s dual identity as both artist and engineer. “It’s great to see the Oil Pump back,” Arabov reflects. “It’s a reminder of how far we’ve come and how much more there is to create. For us, innovation is a living thing. Like the derrick itself, it never stops moving.”
And while its imagery naturally resonates in the Middle East, Arabov notes that the Oil Pump’s audience extends far beyond any one region. “Yes, the Middle East clientele has always embraced the Oil Pump because of its cultural connection,” he says. “But the fascination with the piece is universal. We’ve placed Oil Pumps on wrists around the world, and many of the owners have nothing to do with oil. It’s about energy, motion and ambition. Those are global ideas.”
Jacob & Co. has long found a spiritual home in Dubai and the Gulf, where collectors share the brand’s passion for bold creativity. “Our boutique in Dubai was one of the first we opened,” Arabov adds. “It’s recently been completely refurbished, and we’re seeing extraordinary enthusiasm for our gem-set and complicated pieces alike, from the Bugatti Tourbillon to the Astronomia.”
In the Oil Pump 43mm, Jacob & Co. has surpassed mere spectacle, distilling it into sophistication. This isn’t just a revival, but rather an evolution: by reinterpreting its most audacious automaton in a sleeker, more balanced form, the brand reaffirms its status as one of modern watchmaking’s greatest storytellers. A symphony of motion, material and meaning, the Oil Pump 43mm reminds us that time, like oil, is a resource best spent creating energy, emotion and beauty.
