Jacob Arabo has built one of the world’s most distinctive luxury brands by trusting his instincts and refusing to follow the crowd.

There are names you hear every day, and then there are names you recognize by the places they appear. Jacob Arabo may not be a household name in the traditional sense, but look closely at the world of modern luxury and his name is everywhere. On the wrists of cultural icons. In the collections of serious watch enthusiasts. Inside some of the most ambitious timepieces ever created. And at the helm of Jacob & Co., a brand that has spent decades challenging the conventions of what a watch, a jewel, or a luxury experience can be.

Arabo’s story is one of instinct, imagination, and an unwavering belief in creating what does not yet exist. His journey began with a watch his father gave him at 13, a dual-time-zone timepiece that opened his mind to a world beyond his own. Years later, after immigrating to the United States as a teenager, he found himself drawn to the craftsmanship and creativity of New York’s Diamond District. What began as curiosity became a career, and that career became a legacy.

From the bold, colorful Five Time Zone to the extraordinary engineering of the Astronomia, Arabo built a name by refusing to follow the path already laid out before him. His work has attracted some of the biggest names in sports, music, and entertainment, but his influence extends well beyond celebrity. He has helped reshape the language of contemporary watchmaking, proving that technical mastery and unapologetic creativity are not separate hands on the dial but complementary forces that together point toward a larger vision of luxury.

There is a certain confidence that comes with having spent decades trusting your instincts. It is present in Arabo’s work, but it is also present in the man himself. He speaks with the calm assurance of someone who has already proven the point, yet there is no sense that he believes the story is finished. If anything, his perspective is shaped by the wisdom of experience and the curiosity of someone still looking toward the horizon.

For NOBLEMAN, it was an honor to sit down with a figure whose influence reaches far beyond the name on the dial. To speak with Jacob Arabo is to speak with a man who has built a legacy by refusing to simply inherit one. His philosophy is remarkably straightforward: trust your instincts, create something of your own, and never stop pushing toward what comes next.

As Jacob & Co. continues to evolve, Arabo remains deeply involved in the creative process, now alongside the next generation of his family. His vision has expanded, but the philosophy at its center remains unchanged. The goal is not simply to make something luxurious. It is to make something that has never existed before. This is Jacob Arabo, in his own words.

Growing up, what was your first introduction to jewelry and craftsmanship, and how did your childhood shape your understanding of luxury?

When I was 13, my father gave me my first watch. It was a dual time zone watch, and I immediately fell in love with it. Beyond the craftsmanship, I was fascinated by the idea that a watch could connect you to different parts of the world. It expanded my horizons and sparked a curiosity that has stayed with me throughout my life. That watch ultimately inspired The World Is Yours, one of my most personal creations and a reminder that a timepiece can do more than tell time. It can inspire you to think bigger and dream further.

When you arrived in the United States, what was the moment you first realized you wanted to build something in jewelry rather than pursue a different path?

When I immigrated to the United States as a teenager, I was inspired by the sense of opportunity that seemed to exist everywhere. I took on different jobs, but everything changed when I started spending time in New York’s Diamond District. I was fascinated by the craftsmanship and creativity that surrounded me. The more I learned about jewelry making, the more I realized that I didn’t just want to sell products. I wanted to create them. That experience showed me that it was possible to build something from nothing through hard work, skill, and imagination. Looking back, that was the moment I knew I wanted to build my future in this industry.

Jacob & Co. launched at a time when traditional watchmaking was dominated by Swiss houses with centuries of heritage. What made you believe you could compete, and what was your strategy for standing out?

I never viewed it as competing with the traditional Swiss houses. I had tremendous respect for their history and craftsmanship. For me, it was about bringing my own creativity and vision to life. I wasn’t interested in creating another version of what already existed. I wanted to create something new. From the Five Time Zone to the Astronomia, our goal has always been to challenge conventions and offer people something they had never seen before. I believed that if we stayed true to that vision, we would find our place in the industry. And that’s exactly what happened.

Your early designs were immediately bold. Where did that aesthetic confidence come from? Were you ever told your vision was too risky?

My confidence came from creating what I genuinely loved. I never asked myself whether a design was too bold or too risky. I wasn’t trying to please everyone. I was focused on creating something that excited me and reflected my vision. Of course, some people thought my designs were unconventional, but I never paid much attention to that. If you spend your time listening to the noise, you’ll never create anything original. I’ve always trusted my instincts and followed my own path.

You’ve built relationships with major celebrities and athletes. Is that organic celebrity adoption something you actively pursue, or does it happen naturally when the product is right?

For me, the relationships always came first. The visibility followed naturally. Long before celebrity partnerships became common in the industry, I was building genuine relationships with artists, athletes, and cultural icons. I never pursued those relationships as a marketing strategy. They began as friendships built on mutual respect and a shared appreciation for creativity, ambition, and craftsmanship. Over the years, many of those friends chose to wear Jacob & Co. because they genuinely connected with what we were creating. That kind of support cannot be bought or manufactured. It comes from genuine relationships, and I believe people recognize the difference.

Your business model includes everything from intricate watchmaking to jewelry to fine art collaborations. How do you maintain a cohesive brand identity while expanding so broadly, and does each category serve a strategic purpose?

We’ve always stayed true to one idea: push boundaries, no matter the category. Whether it’s timepieces, jewelry, or any other creative project, everything comes from the same DNA: innovation, craftsmanship, and emotion. At the same time, our expansion has always been intentional. We don’t enter new categories simply to grow. Each one is a natural extension of the brand. Our focus on luxury experiences led us into real estate. Real estate introduced opportunities in furniture and interior design. Each step builds on the one before it. The categories may differ, but they are all expressions of the same vision: being inspired by what feels impossible and finding a way to make it possible.

Over the years, you’ve had to balance being the visionary creative founder with the operational demands of running a luxury conglomerate. How has your role evolved, and what have been the hardest things to delegate?

As the company has grown, my role has evolved, but creativity remains at the center of everything I do. One of the greatest privileges has been watching my sons become deeply involved in the business and bring their own perspectives to the brand. They have helped introduce new ideas, reach new audiences, and shed new light on what Jacob & Co. can become. That has allowed the company to continue evolving while staying true to the values that built it. The hardest thing to delegate has always been the creative process because that is what I love most. I still enjoy being closely involved in product development and the ideas that shape the future of the brand. At the same time, I have learned that building a lasting company means trusting talented people and allowing the next generation to contribute their own vision.

You’ve worked with some of the world’s finest craftspeople and artisans. What do you look for in the people you surround yourself with, and what’s the most important quality in someone joining the Jacob & Co. family?

I have always believed that great creations come from great people. The individuals I enjoy working with most are those who are passionate, driven, and genuinely excited by what they do. Technical skill can be taught and refined, but curiosity, ambition, and a desire to constantly improve come from within. Those qualities are what I value most. We are always pushing boundaries, so the people who thrive here are the ones who embrace challenges and believe there is always a way to achieve something extraordinary.

What’s one piece of advice you received early in your career that you still carry with you today?

Don’t try to become someone. Focus on doing what you do best. When you’re young, it’s easy to look at successful people and think you need to follow their path. But real success comes from developing your own strengths, not copying someone else. I built my career by focusing on what I loved and constantly pushing myself to improve. Every step forward came from challenging myself to be better than I was yesterday, not from trying to become someone else. The goal isn’t to become the next somebody. The goal is to become the first you.

Can you articulate what you believe a luxury watch should communicate to the world about the person wearing it?

The most meaningful timepieces reflect individuality, taste, and personality. I’ve always believed that a watch is one of the most personal objects someone can own. The pieces we choose often tell a story about what inspires us, what we value, and how we see the world. Some people are drawn to technical innovation, while others appreciate craftsmanship, artistry, or bold design. Whatever the reason, the best watches create an emotional connection and reveal something about the person wearing them. That’s what luxury should communicate. Not status, but identity.

What drives that constant push for innovation? Is it for innovation’s sake, or is there something deeper?

Innovation has never been the goal in itself. What drives me is curiosity and the desire to create something that doesn’t already exist. Throughout my career, I’ve been motivated by the challenge of turning ideas into reality, especially when people say they can’t be done. Whether it’s a watch, a piece of jewelry, or an entirely new concept, I enjoy pushing beyond what is expected and exploring what is possible. At Jacob & Co., innovation is not about being different for the sake of being different. It is about creating something meaningful, something that inspires emotion, starts conversations, and gives people an experience they have never had before. That pursuit is what continues to drive me every day.

Walk us through a specific moment, either a creation process, a client interaction, or a business challenge, that encapsulates what Jacob & Co. is really about. What story best represents your legacy?

I would point to two creations: the Five Time Zone and the Astronomia.

The Five Time Zone was a turning point for the brand. At a time when most watches followed traditional design codes, I created something bold, colorful, and completely different. It resonated with a new generation of clients and helped establish Jacob & Co. as a brand unafraid to challenge conventions. The Astronomia was another defining moment. It helped us break into the highest levels of watchmaking and demonstrated that imagination and engineering could exist in the same creation. Together, these two timepieces tell the story of my journey. The Five Time Zone introduced a new way of thinking about watches. The Astronomia proved that ideas once considered impossible could become reality. More than anything, they reflect the philosophy that has guided me throughout my career: never be afraid to create something that doesn’t already exist.

Where do you see Jacob & Co. in ten years? What’s the next frontier for your brand, and are there new territories, literally or creatively, you want to explore?

We are still at the beginning of what Jacob & Co. can become. Over the next ten years, we will keep pushing the boundaries of watchmaking, jewelry, and luxury experiences. We will expand into new markets, but growth has never been about opening doors. It is about creating products and ideas that have never existed before. Every time people think we have reached a limit, I want us to prove there is another frontier. I keep one line close to me, the words attributed to John Paul Jones: “I have not yet begun to fight.” For me, it has nothing to do with conflict. It is a reminder that no matter how much we have achieved, there is always more to create, more to discover, and more to accomplish.

In many ways, I feel like I am only getting started.

For young entrepreneurs reading this who want to build a luxury brand or any brand from the ground up, what’s the one piece of advice you’d give them?

Focus on creating something that is truly your own. Too many entrepreneurs spend their time following trends or copying what is already successful. If you want to build a lasting brand, you need to have a clear vision and the courage to do things differently. There will always be people who tell you something can’t be done or that your idea is too ambitious. Don’t let that discourage you. The most successful brands are built by people who stay committed to their vision, continue learning, and never stop improving. If you’re passionate about what you do and willing to put in the work, opportunities will follow.

WORDS BY TOM BURLESON
PHOTOGRAPHY BY SELWYN TENGOL