Anant Ambani Gets His Own $1.5 Million Watch: Jacob & Co.'s 397-Gem Vantara Timepiece

New York-based luxury watchmaker sets new benchmark in haute horology with 397-gemstone timepiece celebrating Gujarat's wildlife sanctuary. Jacob & Co. has unveiled the Vantara watch, an extraordinary timepiece valued at over $1.5 million. The watch pays homage to the Vantara Global Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Centre in Gujarat and its patron, Anant Ambani, son of industrialist Mukesh Ambani. The timepiece represents a departure from conventional luxury watchmaking, transforming conservation advocacy into wearable art. At its centre sits a meticulously hand-painted figurine of Anant Ambani, portrayed in his signature blue floral shirt, symbolising his guardianship and commitment to wildlife preservation. The figurine is flanked by miniature sculptures of a lion and a Bengal tiger, representing the diverse fauna housed within the Vantara ecosystem. 

Engineering Marvel Meets Precious Artistry
The Vantara watch showcases some of the most complex horological machinery in contemporary watchmaking. Its dial features four moving elements, including an animated orb and a Bengal tiger, each meticulously engineered to capture the dynamism of the natural world. These kinetic components bring the timepiece to life, creating a mesmerising display that transcends traditional watch design. The visual impact of the Vantara is immediate and arresting. A striking green camouflage pattern envelops both the case and dial, serving as a direct reference to the natural habitats the watch celebrates. This intricate motif required exceptional craftsmanship, achieved through the precise setting of 397 gemstones totalling 21.98 carats. The gemstone selection reflects both luxury and artistic intention. Demantoid garnets, tsavorites, rich green sapphires, and brilliant white diamonds have been carefully chosen and positioned to create depth, texture, and visual movement across the timepiece. Each stone contributes to the camouflage aesthetic while maintaining the refinement expected of Jacob & Co.'s maximalist design philosophy.

Beyond Luxury: A Statement Timepiece
True to Jacob & Co.'s reputation for pushing boundaries in luxury watchmaking, the Vantara represents more than ostentatious display. The New York-based manufacturer has successfully integrated high jewellery with fine horology, creating a timepiece that serves as both a technical achievement and a meaningful statement about conservation. The watch embodies what industry observers are calling "responsible luxury"—where exceptional craftsmanship and precious materials converge with purposeful messaging. Every design element, from the camouflage pattern to the wildlife sculptures, reinforces the connection between the timepiece and the Vantara sanctuary's mission.

The Vantara Global Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Centre, located in Gujarat, has gained international attention for its comprehensive approach to wildlife preservation and rehabilitation. By creating this tribute watch, Jacob & Co. has elevated the conversation around luxury goods that carry deeper significance beyond their monetary value. The Vantara watch enters the market at a time when ultra-high-net-worth collectors are increasingly seeking timepieces with narrative depth and cultural relevance. The combination of technical complexity, exceptional materials, and conservation themes positions this piece as a potential milestone in contemporary watchmaking.

With its $1.5 million valuation, nearly 22 carats of precious gemstones, and intricate mechanical features, the Vantara watch represents Jacob & Co.'s continued commitment to creating conversation pieces that challenge conventional definitions of luxury horology. The timepiece stands as a testament to what becomes possible when master craftsmen dedicate their skills to celebrating both human achievement and the natural world.