Geneva Watch Days: Jacob & Co.’s New Oil Pump Timepiece is Something to Gush About

With the inventive watchmaker’s popularity in oil-producing regions (the brand is, in fact, a partner in a very high-end real estate venture in Dubai), it comes as little surprise that Jacob & Co. had a bit of fun at this year’s Geneva Watch Days by leaning into the petroleum meme as a symbol of success.

Celebrating the fifth anniversary of the release of its first Oil Pump timepiece in 2019, this re-envisioned Oil Pump further burnishes the original’s “working” oil derrick metaphor, pushing the design team’s expertise in horological automatons to an even greater extent.
 

As you can see from the video, the twin-armed derrick on the upper dial replicates the real-world equipment’s hypnotizing bobbing motion. Powering this captivating 35-second show (and the watch’s general time-keeping chores) is the exclusive manual-wind JCAM53 movement. To activate the automaton, simply press the pusher at 1:30.
 

In addition to powering the automaton, the JCAM53 movement also features a 60-second single-axis flying tourbillon. To find it, simply follow the “production line” from the bobbing derrick to the off-center hour and minute dial (which uses bold fuel gauge-style red arrows); you will see it “floating” above this dial.
 

If you look along the bottom edge of the dial (next to the 9 o’clock position on the off-center dial), you will find the 72-hour power reserve indicator made to look like an industrial pressure gauge, continuing the enjoyable narrative of the Oil Pump. Above that is the rotating wheel and arm that operates the oil derrick automaton.
 

Finally, Jacob & Co. elevates the oil extraction beyond the artistic and into the luxurious by the brand’s abundant use of 18-karat red gold for the timepiece’s details, constructions, barrels, and pipes, all of which sit atop a black grid-like “factory floor” create a microcosmic refinery operation on the wrist.

The gleaming 18-karat red gold case of the new Oil Pump has been reduced from the original’s 49.5mm to a much more wearable 44mm diameter, with its height reduced to 16mm from the original’s 18mm. A 2mm difference in thickness might not sound like much, but trust us; this is an important improvement that significantly enhances the Oil Pump’s wearability.
 

The automaton pusher at 1:30 is protected to avoid accidental starts. Meanwhile, the watch’s winding and time-setting mechanisms are on the Oil Pump’s caseback and take the form of two pop-up bow winders. The caseback is, to continue the metallic theme, a beefy 18-karat red gold plate with brand and model engravings.

Finally, an Incabloc suspension system and a water resistance of 30 meters protect the movement’s 450 components from shocks and water damage, respectively.
 

We are confident you will agree that the best way to sum up the new Oil Pump timepiece is to say that the wizards at Jacob & Co. have managed to marry a gritty industrial theme with shining, evocative elegance to create a truly stunning new timepiece.