You've probably seen the photos. Or maybe you heard the lyrics. In the early 2000s, there was this specific kind of energy in New York City—a mix of raw street culture and unapologetic, blinding luxury. At the center of that whirlwind was Jacob Arabo, known to the world as "Jacob the Jeweler." And his crown jewel? The King of New York watch.
Honestly, calling it a "watch" feels like a bit of an understatement. It was more of a cultural landmass you wore on your wrist.
If you weren't there, it’s hard to describe how much the Jacob & Co. Five Time Zone—specifically the editions celebrating the "King of New York"—defined an entire era of hip-hop and high-stakes business. This wasn't just about telling time in Paris or Tokyo. It was about marking your territory.
What is the King of New York Watch anyway?
The "King of New York" isn't actually a single model number you can just go grab at a mall. It’s a legacy. Primarily, people are talking about the Jacob & Co. Five Time Zone series.
Jacob Arabo designed these with a very specific "New York" aesthetic: big, bold, and loud. The most iconic version features a 47mm case—which was massive for its time—and five independent quartz movements.
One for local time. Four for the world's fashion and business capitals.
But the "King of New York" moniker usually refers to the limited editions or custom pieces that featured the NYC skyline, maps of the boroughs, or heavy diamond pavé settings that mirrored the city's lights. Sometimes, the term is used interchangeably with the "The World Is Yours" edition, which Biggie Smalls famously helped immortalize in spirit, even if the specific branded watch came a bit later.
Biggie called himself the King of New York. Naturally, the watch followed the title.
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Why the Five Time Zone changed everything
Before this watch, luxury meant "understated." It meant thin Patek Philippes or classic Rolex Day-Dates.
Jacob threw that out the window.
The Five Time Zone was unapologetically quartz-based in its early iterations, which actually annoyed "serious" horologists. They didn't get it. They saw a battery-powered watch with primary colors on the dials and thought it was a toy.
They were wrong.
The watch became the de facto uniform for the "Bad Boy" era of the late 90s and early 2000s. We're talking about Jay-Z, Naomi Campbell, and Pharrell Williams. When you wore a King of New York watch, you were telling the world you moved across borders. You had people to call in LA, London, Tokyo, and Paris. You weren't just a local success; you were a global entity.
The Specs (If you care about the gears)
- Case Size: Usually 47mm (though 40mm "mini" versions exist).
- Material: Stainless steel, often "iced out" with factory or aftermarket diamonds.
- Movement: Five independent Swiss ETA quartz movements.
- The Dials: Usually characterized by geometric shapes (triangles, circles) in different colors representing different time zones.
- The Vibe: Pure, unadulterated confidence.
The Biggie Smalls Connection
You can't talk about the King of New York watch without talking about Christopher Wallace.
While Biggie died in 1997, his influence on Jacob & Co. is foundational. He was one of Jacob’s earliest and most loyal clients. The "King of New York" title was his.
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Later, Jacob & Co. released pieces that directly paid homage to this era. If you look at the modern "The World Is Yours" Dual Time Zone, it’s a direct evolution of the aesthetic Biggie loved. It features a curved dial with a gold-leaf map of the world. It’s a bit more refined than the primary-colored dials of the 2000s, but the DNA is the same. It’s about dominance.
Is it still worth buying in 2026?
Fashion is cyclical, and right now, the early 2000s "Bling" era is having a massive resurgence.
If you're looking at a vintage Five Time Zone "King of New York" edition, you're looking at a piece of history. These aren't just watches; they are artifacts of a time when New York was the undisputed center of the creative universe.
Prices for these vary wildly. You might find a "naked" stainless steel version (no diamonds) for around $1,500 to $3,000 on the secondary market. But if you want the full-fledged, diamond-encrusted King of New York watch experience? You could be looking at $15,000 to $50,000 depending on the carat weight and if the diamonds are factory-set.
Word of advice: Be careful with the "aftermarket" stuff.
In the 2000s, everyone was taking standard Jacob watches and adding their own diamonds. While it looks cool, it kills the resale value for collectors. If you're buying for investment, look for "Factory Set" pieces.
How to spot a real King of New York piece
The market is flooded with fakes because, frankly, quartz movements are easier to replicate than complex mechanical ones.
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- The Weight: A real Jacob & Co. feels substantial. If it feels like a toy, it is one.
- The Engraving: The case back should have crisp, deep engraving. No "laser-etched" shallow nonsense.
- The Alignment: On the Five Time Zone, the subdials should be perfectly aligned.
- The Movement: Open it up. You should see five distinct, branded movements.
The Cultural Impact: More Than Just Bling
It’s easy to dismiss these watches as "gaudy." But that misses the point entirely.
The King of New York watch represented a shift in who got to define luxury. For decades, luxury was gatekept by European houses that didn't want anything to do with street culture. Jacob Arabo changed that. He built a bridge between the diamond district and the recording studio.
When you see a Five Time Zone today, it sort of reminds you of a time when the world felt bigger. Before everyone had an iPhone that automatically changed time zones when you landed. There was something romantic about looking down and seeing that it was 3:00 AM in Tokyo while you were having dinner in Manhattan.
It was a tool for dreamers who actually made it.
Actionable Steps for Collectors
If you're serious about hunting down one of these:
- Check Chrono24 and 1stDibs: These are the safest bets for finding authenticated vintage Jacob & Co. pieces.
- Verify the Diamonds: Use a professional appraiser if the watch is "iced out." You need to know if you're paying for VVS diamonds or "frozen spit" (low-quality industrial stones).
- Service the Batteries: Remember, these have FIVE movements. That means five batteries. If you buy a vintage one, factor in the cost of a full service to ensure all five clocks are ticking in sync.
- Look for the Box: The original Jacob & Co. boxes from this era are huge and distinctive. Having the original packaging can add 20% to the value.
The King of New York watch isn't just a way to tell time. It’s a way to remember a city that never slept and a generation that refused to stay in their lane. Whether you love the "loud" aesthetic or prefer something quieter, you have to respect the hustle that put these watches on the map.
If you want to own a piece of that 2000s New York grit, start your search with the Five Time Zone JCM series. It’s the purest entry point into the legend. Just be prepared for people to stare at your wrist.
A lot.