Cristiano Ronaldo, Pharrell Williams, and Khabib Nurmagomedov are just a few of the high-profile figures who have collaborated with Jacob Arabo. But how did this jewelry empire come to be? This is the story of Jacob Arabo and the rise of the Jacob & Co. empire.
Early Life
Jacob Arabo was born in 1965 in Uzbekistan, then part of the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic, as the first male child among four siblings. At the age of 14, in 1979, his family took a leap of faith and emigrated to Queens, New York. Jacob’s passion for jewellery was ignited when his father gifted him a watch with two time zones at the age of 13. This early experience would later influence the creation of his iconic Five Timezone watch, which we will discuss further.
As with everything Jacob does, his entry into the jewellery industry was far from conventional. At just 16, he dropped out of school and completed a six-month jewellery course. Shortly after, he found work in a jewellery factory, earning $125 a week. However, Jacob’s creative spirit couldn’t be satisfied with the routine task of assembling basic jewellery, so he began designing and crafting his own pieces. After experiencing some success in this new venture, he launched his own luxury label, Jacob & Co., in 1986.
Introduction into Hip Hop
Jacob Arabo had been steadily growing his business when he identified a gap in the market for hip-hop jewelry. The foundation had already been laid by pioneers like Tito the Jeweler, but Jacob’s entry into the hip-hop scene came through Biz Markie. In the 1980s, Biz Markie walked into Jacob’s store in the Diamond District and requested a signature piece, which would later become the iconic “Biz” ring.
Jacob Arabo took the mantle from Tito the Jeweler and became renowned for his more elaborate and flamboyant pieces. His major rise in popularity came when Biggie Smalls nicknamed him “Jacob the Jeweler.” Throughout the 1990s, Jacob was mentioned in countless rap songs and earned the title “Harry Winston of the Hip-Hop World” from the New York Times in 1999.
Since then Jacob has gone on the create many iconic pieces for some of the biggest names in Hip Hop.
Iconic Watches
Over the years, Jacob has created pieces for many celebrity clients within the hip hop space. Here are just a few examples of his work.
Transition to Watches
Although his love for jewellery was evident, Jacobs heart was still drawn to his watchmaking. He decided to take a trip to Switzerland in the hope of finding a manufacturer to bring his dream watch line to life. Unfortunately the Swiss vendors brushed him off, but that wasn’t enough to stop him. Jacob decided to go back to square one starting off small with quartz watch. This birthed the Five Timezone watch which took inspiration from the first watch his father gave him.
Though Jacob’s passion for jewellery was clear, his heart was still drawn to watchmaking. Determined to bring his dream watch line to life, he travelled to Switzerland in search of a manufacturer. However, the Swiss vendors dismissed his ideas, but that didn’t deter him. Instead, Jacob went back to basics, starting small with a quartz watch. This effort led to the creation of the Five Timezone watch, inspired by the first watch his father had given him.
The watch was a success, and the same Swiss suppliers who had once dismissed Jacob were now eager to have him as a client. Since then, his brand has created many iconic timepieces and earned a place among the top 40 luxury watch brands.
Present Day
Today, the empire that Jacob Arabo built from the ground up continues to thrive. With his son by his side as CEO, they are taking the brand to new heights. From collaborations with supercar brands like Bugatti to developing one of the tallest real estate buildings in Dubai, Jacob & Co. continues to set new standards and push boundaries.
Conclusion
Jacob Arabo epitomises the American dream. Once just a boy with a desire to help his family, he grew into a household name. His journey is proof that success doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a story of perseverance, offering inspiration to us all who hear it.