Jacob & Co. just dropped the Godfather II, a follow-up that doubles down on one of the most unlikely but oddly compelling themes in high watchmaking: turning The Godfather into something you can wear on your wrist.
Now, let’s be honest for a second. Musical watches are usually curiosities—fascinating, yes, but often left sitting in safes, admired once, maybe twice, then forgotten. That’s what makes this piece interesting. It actually tries to pull you back in.
If some of you remember the original Opera Godfather from 2019, you’ll recall how wildly expressive it was. Big, loud, almost surreal in its execution. This new version feels more composed. Not quieter, just more focused—like the brand has figured out exactly how far it wants to push the idea.
The backstory still matters here. Jacob Arabo arriving in the U.S. as a teenager, saving for two years to watch The Godfather. That kind of first impression sticks. You can feel it in how obsessively this theme has been explored over the years.
This time, though, the real conversation starts with the movement.
The new JCAM62 caliber introduces something you rarely see executed well: a dual melody system. One is the unmistakable main theme by Nino Rota, the other the wedding scene composition. You switch between them using a pusher at 8 o’clock, with a selector at 10. Press it, and the watch performs—15 to 20 seconds of mechanical music, up to ten times on a full wind.
Yes, Christophe Claret did something similar years ago. But Jacob & Co. approaches it differently. This isn’t about technical bragging rights. It’s about creating a moment—something closer to theater than engineering.
Of course, this is still a serious piece of horology. You’ve got a one-minute flying tourbillon rotating with that quiet confidence that only high-end watchmaking can pull off. Dual power reserves keep track of energy—one for the timekeeping, one for the music. Because here, the soundtrack matters just as much as the hours and minutes.
What really shifts the tone is the case.
Instead of the oversized, almost aggressive round format of the first watch, this comes in a rectangular Art Deco shape. It’s 42 mm, which in Jacob & Co. terms feels almost restrained in scale, and executed in rose gold that gives it a warmer, more tactile presence. You could actually imagine wearing it without feeling like you’ve strapped a concept piece to your wrist.
The dial is cleaner than before. Black lacquer, deep and glossy, catching light in that way only lacquer can. A silhouette of Don Corleone sits quietly, alongside a single red rose—a reference you either get immediately or not at all.
Turn the watch over and things get more playful. Engraved bullet holes scatter across the caseback. Then there’s the piano-shaped sapphire window, offering a glimpse into the music box mechanism. It’s slightly theatrical, slightly tongue-in-cheek—exactly where Jacob & Co. operates best.
I keep thinking about who this watch is really for.
Because it’s not just for someone who loves watches. It’s for someone who remembers scenes, lines, music. Someone who doesn’t mind a bit of drama on the wrist. In a world where so many high-end pieces chase purity or heritage, this feels almost rebellious.
And yet, there’s a level of refinement here that suggests the brand is evolving. Three years of development went into this movement, and you can sense that time wasn’t wasted. Everything feels more cohesive, more intentional in how it delivers its experience.
Only 74 pieces will be made, a nod to The Godfather Part II, each priced at $440,000.
