Rihanna’s $100,000 Jacob & Co. Watch Was the Real Star of Her Knockout Super Bowl Performance
WithSuper Bowl LVII in the books and the Kansas City Chiefs riding high, the world now turns its attention to the spectacle that was. However, it’s not just the Philadelphia Eagles that are reviewing the tale of the tape. A number of keen-eyed watch enthusiasts are also running it back, eager to catch a glimpse of the unique timepieces on display. From Jay-Z’s Richard Mille RM47 Samurai to Michael Strahan’s Patek Philippe Nautilus, there was no shortage of celebrity stunners on show, but, the real jewel in the Super Bowl crown belonged to (somewhat unsurprisingly) Rihanna. In a knockout Super Bowl Halftime performance, the world’s richest female musician lit up the State Farm Stadium stage, copping a helping hand from prolific haute horology watchmaker Jacob & Co in the process.
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Brilliant Skeleton Northern Stainless Steel Red | Image: Jacob & Co
Over 13 electrifying minutes, Rihanna dazzled 70,000 in-stadium spectators, alongside millions viewing at home, with a medley of her greatest hits, but for us, all eyes were on her wrist. The songstress was bathed entirely in red, right down to her stunning Jacob & Co. Brilliant Skeleton Northern Stainless Steel, an incredibly intricate timepiece with a price tag that would even make Patrick Mahomes blush.
The 44mm stainless steel release is one of the watchmaker’s most intriguing pieces. Not only does it come with the exclusive Jacob & Co Skeleton Manual Winding Calibre JCAM01, the Brilliant Skeleton Northern Stainless Steel Red is also adorned with a whopping 323 rough-cut diamonds, equating to a staggering 11.26 carats. Specifically, a total of 251 pavé-set diamonds are visible on the watch body, with 30 round-cut white diamonds set into the crown. The rich bevy of precious jewels is no doubt a significant factor in the watch’s USD$72,000 (AUD$103,000) price tag, however, there’s more to unpack beneath the surface, or more accurately, just on top of it.
Rihanna during her Super Bowl LVII half-time performance | Image: Jacob & Co
The dial of the Brilliant Skeleton Northern Stainless Steel Red features a red mineral crystal design with leaf hands, providing clear visibility of the open-worked anthracite movement, which arrives with rhodium-plated gears. In a somewhat ridiculous addition, Jacob & Co. has also outlined that the piece has a water resistance of 30m, meaning the next time you take your $100,000 diamond-encrusted haute horology timepiece swimming, you can rest assured it will stay protected.
Impressively, the timepiece was not gifted to Rihanna for the performance, despite the synergy of both colours and lyrics. Jacob & Co. founder and creative director Jacob Arabo revealed that Rihanna is a long-time customer of the brand and the Brilliant Skeleton Northern Stainless Steel Red worn during her Super Bowl Halftime performance has remained in her collection for some time.
“Rihanna is like a goddess,” Jacob & C. founder Jacob Arabo said. “She has it all, a sense of leadership like no other, heaps of talent and a unique, vibrant energy. During the Superbowl performance, she showed once again that she owns the stage, just any stage. And she’s a demanding customer. She only ever goes for the best of what we do.”
While the Super Bowl remains one of sport’s most enduring spectacles, the last decade has proven that some of the most fierce battles are waged far from the turf. The endless celebrity parading in each Super Bowl commercial has birthed an advertising tug-of-war and the fashion world lies in wait each year preparing for the next big trend. If Rihanna is anything to go by, we might need to start saving our pennies. With 11.26 carats worth of diamonds set across 44mm worth of wrist real estate, this timepiece isn’t in danger of slipping under the radar any time soon. Shine bright, indeed.
Brilliant Skeleton Northern Stainless Steel Red | Image: Jacob & Co
Jacob & Co. Brilliant Skeleton Northern Stainless Steel Red
Brand: Jacob & Co.
Model: Brilliant Skeleton Northern Stainless Steel Red
Reference: ref.BS431.10.RD.QR.A
Diameter: 44mm
Movement: Exclusive Jacob & Co Skeleton Manual Winding Calibre JCAM01
Power Reserve: 46 hours
Material: Stainless Steel Case Polished and Pavé Set with 251 Round-cut White Diamonds (10.25 ct.), Crown Set with 30 Round-cut White Diamonds (0.47 ct.)
Water resistance: 30m
Strap: Red Alligator Strap
Total Carat Weight: 323 Round-cut Diamonds (11.26 ct.)
Limited Edition: 101 pieces
Price: USD$72,000 (AUD$103,000)
