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Luxury without limit A watch that marries American craft and Ambani spectacle
An American luxury watchmaker crafts a jewel-studded tribute to India’s richest family, inspired by a private wildlife sanctuary.
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Staff Reporter - Fri, 23, Jan 2026
- 23:33 EST
- 13
Vantara themed watch manufactured by Jacob & Co. / Jacob & Co via X
In the uppermost tier of global luxury, where craftsmanship, power and personal narrative often intersect, a new watch has captured attention on both sides of the world on Jan. 21, 2026. Designed by American luxury watchmaker Jacob & Co, the Vantara watch represents a rare and extravagant collaboration between the United States and India’s most influential business family.
The one-of-a-kind timepiece is themed around Vantara, the private wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center founded by Anant Ambani, the youngest son of billionaire industrialist Mukesh Ambani. Industry collective Watchopea estimates the watch’s value at $1.5 million, placing it firmly among the most expensive bespoke watches ever created.
Launched on Jan. 21, the Vantara watch now stands as a statement object. It reflects American horological bravado shaped by Indian patronage, where luxury, identity and influence converge in a single, audacious creation.
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At the center of the dial sits a hand-painted figurine of Anant Ambani, sculpted in miniature and seated calmly on a chair. The figure anchors the design. A lion and a Bengal tiger, both meticulously crafted, flank the statue, reinforcing the wildlife narrative that defines Vantara. The background features a rich green, camouflage-inspired pattern that evokes forest terrain.
Jacob & Co has described the piece as a tribute to Vantara, with the central figure symbolizing stewardship and responsibility. The brand leaned heavily into symbolism, using form and color to convey conservation and guardianship rather than restraint.
The watch dazzles with gemstones. Craftsmen hand-set 397 stones weighing nearly 22 carats across the dial and case. The selection includes white diamonds, green sapphires, tsavorites and demantoid garnets. Each stone adds texture, movement and depth, amplifying the watch’s dramatic visual impact.
Vantara itself occupies 3,500 acres in Jamnagar, Gujarat, near the world’s largest oil refinery owned by Reliance Industries. The center houses more than 2,000 animals, including lions, tigers and elephants. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated it in March last year. Though it faced allegations related to animal welfare in 2024, a Supreme Court-appointed committee later found no evidence of wrongdoing.
The site has also served as a backdrop for spectacle. Vantara hosted one of the pre-wedding celebrations for Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant, events that drew global attention for their scale and guest list. Attendees included Bollywood stars, global entertainers such as Rihanna, and international figures including Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner.
Jacob & Co’s association with India did not begin here. The brand has long cultivated cultural connections, including the Epic X Ram Janmabhoomi edition created with Ethos Watches. That limited piece featured engraved depictions of the Ram temple and inscriptions of Hindu deities, blending faith, history and high-end design.
Anant Ambani’s own watch collection has become legendary. During his wedding festivities, he wore rare pieces from Patek Philippe, Richard Mille and Audemars Piguet, some among the most expensive watches ever produced. Ambani even commissioned Audemars Piguet to produce 25 special Royal Oak editions as gifts for his groomsmen.
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