Jacob & Co. has partnered with one of football’s most celebrated finishers, Ian Rush, to create an exclusive edition of the Epic X Sport. Limited to nine pieces worldwide, the timepiece marks a double milestone for the former Liverpool and Wales striker, arriving as he celebrates his sixty-fifth birthday and introduces his own whisky brand, NINE. The edition is available exclusively through Jacob & Co. in the UK, priced at £16,999 including VAT.
Rush’s name is woven into the fabric of the British game. His goals brought Liverpool league titles, FA Cups and a European Cup, and a reputation built across two decades at the top of the sport has made him a natural partner for a watchmaker that has never shied away from working alongside sporting greats.
A legend told through every detail
Crafted in Grade 5 titanium, the Epic X Sport provides the foundation for a design that is unmistakably personal to Rush. The black dial carries his signature, while red-tipped hands introduce a striking accent drawn from the colours associated with his football career.
The detailing goes further still. At nine o’clock, a prominent red numeral nine takes centre stage, rendered in a font inspired by the Liverpool shirt worn during the 1990-91 season. The number appears once more in red on the date wheel, making it a recurring motif across the dial.
On the reverse, the sapphire crystal case back reveals a black silhouette of Rush’s goal celebration. It serves as a tribute to the moments that helped establish his place in football history, transforming the case back into a personal celebration of a career that continues to resonate with supporters.
A black honeycomb-pattern rubber strap completes the design, reinforcing the sporty character of the Epic X Sport while maintaining the contemporary aesthetic that defines the collection.
A collector’s package built around the buyer
The exclusivity extends well beyond the timepiece itself. Each watch is presented in a customised box featuring Rush’s signature on the lid and red carbon fibre detailing, creating a presentation that echoes the watch’s carefully considered red-and-black design
Each purchaser also receives a bottle of NINE whisky and an invitation to an exclusive dinner with Rush in Liverpool, offering a rare opportunity to meet the football legend in person. Together, the watch, the whisky and the dinner bring luxury watchmaking, football heritage and Rush’s latest venture into a single collector’s package, with just nine complete sets available worldwide.
For Rush, the project clearly carries real meaning. “I never imagined I’d have my own Jacob & Co. watch! There are so many little details that mean a lot to me. Thank you for creating something so special,” he said.
Richard Saffer, Director of Jacob & Co. UK & Ireland, described the collaboration as an honour. “Working with Ian on this project has been an absolute pleasure. For us to be able to create a project with such a legend of sport, as professional off the field as he was on, has been an honour for us,” he said.
Nine pieces, one story
With the edition capped at nine pieces worldwide, the timepiece sits as much within football memorabilia as luxury horology. Collectors gain not only a distinctive watch but the chance to share a memorable experience with one of the game’s most admired figures.
The Epic X Sport x Ian Rush joins a growing chapter of sports-inspired creations at Jacob & Co., pairing the maison’s bold design language with the story of a player whose record speaks for itself. The edition is available exclusively through Jacob & Co. in the UK.