Luxury watchmaker Jacob & Co. has reportedly removed Instagram posts featuring late Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo.
The reported move comes shortly after Chivayo died in a helicopter crash in Zimbabwe, in which his death was later confirmed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The deletion has drawn attention because Chivayo had a highly public relationship with the luxury watch brand.
He regularly shared visits to Jacob & Co.’s Geneva facility and showcased watches linked to the company.
In July, Chivayo said he had purchased several Jacob & Co. watches during a visit to Geneva.
In one post, he said the watches he acquired during the visit were worth about $4.3 million.
His connection with founder Jacob Arabo became even more notable in September.
Arabo announced that Chivayo had received the first-ever Godfather II watch before its official launch.
The watch was reportedly valued at $660,000 and carried Chivayo’s initials, WMC 777.
Arabo described Chivayo as a “good friend” while highlighting his philanthropy.
The luxury watchmaker’s reported removal of related Instagram content now marks a notable change.
It has also drawn renewed attention to Chivayo’s close relationship with the brand.
Before his death, Chivayo described Arabo as a friend and praised the company’s craftsmanship.
He also said he had added five more Jacob & Co. watches to his collection during another Geneva visit.
Jacob & Co. has not been publicly cited in the reports as giving a reason for removing the Instagram posts.
