Silent juke box, animated vinyl turntable and miniaturized concert stage at the same time, the face of the new masterpiece from the La Chaux-de-Fonds brand retraces the musical epic of one of the most legendary rock bands.

There are pieces that, from the very first notes, give you a thrill, projecting memories of a unique moment, shared with friends at a concert or solo at home, with your eyes closed to the sound of the lyrics, guitar chords and rhythmic percussion. Jaquet Droz brings us back to this nostalgic music lover’s world with its new masterpiece, The Rolling Stones Automaton, for lovers of the legendary British rock band born in the 1960s.

Miniaturized like a dollhouse but without the red-cheeked figures, the central set evokes the installation of Mick Jagger’s and his band’s musical instruments on the stage of a concert hall, before the artists enter, before the crowd arrives. Guitars, amps, drums, harmonica: everything was sculpted in red or white gold before hand painted. No mosh pit here, but a rhodium-plated brass ring, grooved like the surface of a record vinyl, that moves on demand by pressing the push-button nestled in the crown at 3 o’clock. Six album covers appear on this moving dial, to be chosen from a collection ranging from the mythical “Sticky Fingers” (1971) to the recent “El Mocambo” (2022). At 9 o’clock, the famous “Big Mouth” with its tongue out comes to life, while at 10 o’clock, the power reserve indication (which amounts to 68 hours like the majority of Jaquet Droz watches) is embodied by the reproduction of the bended arm and the diamond stylus present on a record player. At the heart of the 43mm-diameter red gold case beats the automatic 2653 AT2 caliber, which incorporates a hand-wound automaton mechanism and drives the lancine-style hour and minute hands on the black onyx off-centered dial at 12 o’clock.

The post THE ROLLING STONES AUTOMATON appeared first on Watches News.

With this latest model, set to serve as a reference, the watchmaker from La Chaux-de-Fonds proposes an exclusive, customized conception of time. Just like the automatons of yesteryear…

Jaquet Droz is now focusing their efforts on custom-made products. Within the Vision 8.0 workshop, unique orders are thus being assembled for equally unique clients. This automaton watch, the John Howe Petite Heure Minute Dragon Automaton, inaugurates this new era. To perfect it, the brand called upon John Howe, the eminent illustrator of the J.R.R Tolkien universe. His talents as an illustrator embellish the books. Seduced by his achievements, Peter Jackson turned to the Canadian living in Neuchâtel during the shooting of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. As did the makers of a series that is presently airing on a popular streaming platform.

This fantastic timepiece brings together the watchmakers’ unique expertise in the field of mechanical animations. The mythical animal randomly shifts through nine distinct movements. Its body undulates, its jaw opens, then closes, and its tongue flicks as does its crest. Its claws seize a rotating stone. The complex caliber integrates a 43mm case machined in gold. According to the client’s wishes, this can be made in the material of their choice, even in sapphire. The stone dial can be customized as well. In addition, each owner will soon be able to follow the completion of their timepiece by means of a phygital (physical plus digital) solution. As for the rest, Jaquet Droz remains extremely discreet about the technical characteristics of this timepiece. Much like the dragon, the watch is steeped in mystery as to its design.

The post PETITE HEURE MINUTE DRAGON AUTOMATON JOHN HOWE appeared first on Watches News.

True to its traditional poetic language, the watchmaker from La Chaux-de-Fonds unveils new creations combining dazzling stones, spectacular engravings and fabulous craftsmanship to celebrate the year of the Water Tiger in style.

Since February 1^st, date of the Chinese New Year which celebrates the arrival of spring, we have entered the era of the Water Tiger which succeeds to the Metal Buffalo, that is to say 12 months under the sign of courage, emotion and great creative energy. This auspicious symbolism has led Jaquet Droz, the most poetic of watchmakers, to imagine four new unique Relief Petite Heure Minute Tiger pieces featuring the impressive feline with all the ancestral passion of its craftsmanship.

Each model of this original quartet beats to the rhythm of the Jaquet Droz 2653.Si caliber, an automatic movement that delivers, thanks to its double barrel, a significant power reserve of 68 hours when fully wound. It is housed in a 41mm-diameter case in polished red gold or white gold set with 144 baguette-cut diamonds on the lugs and flange.
Magic is inscribed on the dial of these works of art that translate the moods of the great fawn. While the hours and minutes can be read on a black onyx disc off-center at 12 o’clock and hemmed with a golden or silvery circle, the decoration cut in opal with a thousand reflections or enameled in dark Grand Feu with a shimmering water effect is breathtaking. The Tiger appears as a filigree with its engraved and hand-painted head popping up at 6 o’clock on two models, while the others represent it in the form of an applique, also worked by hand, near a pool.

A matte black alligator strap with a red or white gold pin buckle secures the wild animal to the wrist.

Price upon request jaquet-droz.com

By Sharmila Bertin

The post RELIEF PETITE HEURE MINUTE TIGER appeared first on Watches News.

The imaginary creature, a recurrent theme in La Chaux-de-Fonds-based watchmaker’s world, takes centerstage once again for this edition created hand-in-hand with the illustrator John Howe.

John Howe, Artistic Director for The Lord of the Rings trilogy, adapted for the big screen by Peter Jackson, breathed life into the dragons from J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel. This fantastic reptilian creature is also found in a host of myths and legends. Although it’s portrayed as hostile in Europe, it’s widely worshipped in Asia. Jaquet Droz called on the talents of the renowned illustrator to imagine two novel 18-piece limited editions of the Petite Heure Minute Dragon. The space available on the timepiece’s deep-blue Grand Feu enameled dial is the perfect backdrop for finalizing a highly-original miniature painting. And, with its ever-so delicate features, the legendary animal stretches out under the hour and minute disc off-centered at 12 o’clock. Thanks to a subtle play on relief, texture and light, the craftsman’s workmanship breathes life into a body covered with scales featuring a myriad of nuances of gray. A pearl, boasting a host of virtues according to Chinese symbolism, nestles in its claws and illuminates the monochrome scenescape.

The red gold or white gold case embraces the 2652.Si caliber. This selfwinding mechanical movement stands out with its double barrel and the presence of silicon-sculpted components. Moreover, it delivers a power reserve of 68 hours. The sapphire-crystal caseback invites to discover the oscillating weight adorned with an engraving depicting a dragon’s tail.

This exclusive series comes complete with an elegant deep blue leather strap clasped by an ardillon buckle fashioned in the same precious metal as the case.

Price: on request jaquet-droz.com

By Dan Diaconu

The post PETITE HEURE MINUTE DRAGON appeared first on Watches News.

In 2019, the watchmaker enthralled us with two creations that stood out with their carmine and azure scenographies: This time round, the firm proposes a limited edition boasting novel emerald hues.

Up to 200 wing strokes a second… The tiniest bird in the world unfurls its incredible energy to move forward, backwards and even to hover on the spot. Jaquet Droz freezes its motion with an exclusive, numbered series of just eight pieces, the Petite Heure Minute Smalta Clara Hummingbird. The inclusion of the ancestral plique-à-jour enameling technique breathes life into a vibrantly-colored naturalist work of art. On a white gold dial, partitions of different shapes and sizes are filled with enamel featuring a host of iridescent green nuances after having been fired in the kiln several times over. The absolute transparency obtained invites the light to fashion this scenography with subtle tones. And, as time data is displayed off-centered in a white mother-of-pearl disc set at 2 o’clock, the decor of this precious creation takes pride of place. To gift the piece with even more brightness, the bezel and lugs are strewn with 100 diamonds totaling 0.89 carats.

The 6150 caliber, beating at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations an hour, nestles inside the 35 mm-diameter red gold case. This selfwinding movement, equipped with a silicon balance spring and a platinum oscillating weight visible through the sapphire-crystal caseback, delivers a power reserve of around 38 hours.

The Petite Heure Minute Smalta Clara Hummingbird watch is worn on a perfectly-matching green satin strap clasped by a red gold ardillon buckle. This ensemble, a treat for the finest of wrists, is a pure harmony of refinement and grace.

Price on request jaquet-droz.com

By Dan Diaconu

The post PETITE HEURE MINUTE SMALTA CLARA HUMMINGBIRD appeared first on Watches News.

Since 2017, moons have inspired the flagship model of the watchmaker from La Chaux-de-Fonds. The new dimension of its casing, designed to be gender-neutral, enhances its power of attraction.

On the occasion of the 300th anniversary of the birth of Pierre Jaquet-Droz, the brand of the same name unveils a new development in one of its classics, the Grande Seconde Moon, available in two versions. The first one features a delicate ivory Grand Feu enamel dial. The second version reveals a completely different matte black dial. Both have as a common feature to be elaborated for the first time around a 41mm diameter casing machined in red gold. This new size of the Grande Seconde Moon 300^th Anniversary model is intended to be more universal, making it easier to accommodate both men’s and women’s wrists. The timepiece will still be available in the Jaquet Droz catalog in sizes 39mm and 43mm. Regardless of the version, the off-center layout of the temporal information can be found in the shape of an 8, a symbol of infinity.

Set in these refined surroundings, the moon phase is adorned with a representation of the satellite and stars, made from the same precious material as the case. Thanks to the caliber 2660QL4 and its mechanism composed of 135 tines instead of the usual 59, the mechanism is based on the synodic revolution observed from the Earth, requiring only one adjustment every 122 years. This self-winding motion, with 68 hours of power reserve, also drives the large second hand and the date indicator located in the area at 6 o’clock. The hours and minutes can be found in the upper circle.

Depending on the version, the watch can be worn on a black or blue calf leather strap, fastened with a pin buckle.

Price: CHF 28,650 (black) – CHF 29,700 (ivory) jaquet-droz.com

By Dan Diaconu

The post GRANDE SECONDE MOON 300TH ANNIVERSARY appeared first on Watches News.

Color steals the show. For this trio of watches, the brand from La Chaux-de-Fonds chose to go for an ever-so elegant decorative style with touches of green, yellow and blue.

The Grande Seconde Skelet-One, unveiled in red gold to celebrate Jaquet Droz’s 280^th anniversary, made its mark as the contemporary model in the brand’s collections. This time round, for 2021, three 28-piece limited editions brighten it up with colors. Hints of green, sky blue and yellow gift each of these pieces with a one-of-a-kind personality. At the heart of this 41.5 mm-diameter case, we discover the hour and minute disc offset at 12 o’clock entwined with the large second sapphire one poised at 6 o’clock. The dial’s ethereal, skeletonized scenescape diffuses light over the brand’s stylistic “8” figure signature. All the hands are adorned with khaki green or pastel azure boasting a varnished finish. These colors contrast harmoniously with the white gold indexes combined with the hour chapter and the case fashioned in black ceramic. The third timepiece comes with a plasma ceramic case and proposes amber-hued nuances. Here, the red gold of the hands stands out from the white gold gracing the hour and minute disc.

All these variations are driven by the 2663 SQ caliber, beating at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations an hour. This selfwinding movement with double barrel delivers a comfortable power reserve of 68 hours. Each oscillating weight is engraved with its individual series number.

These springtime variations of the Grande Seconde Skelet-One are worn on fabric straps which match the color of the hands and are attached by a folding clasp.

Price on request jaquet-droz.com

By Dan Diaconu

The post GRANDE SECONDE SKELET-ONE appeared first on Watches News.

Fancy getting away from monochrome monotony? To liven up your wrist Jaquet Droz jazzes up its sporty model with a handful of colorful details, including the strap.

Although the name Jaquet Droz has long been associated with timepieces which overflow with the sine qua non of city-style elegance, since 2008 the brand has successfully explored other realms. For example, the SW collection, acronym for Sport Watch, focuses on sporty-looking models like the brand new SW Steel-Ceramic. This variation still boasts the brand’s can’t-do-without iconic figure 8 signature. And, this time round the composition is center staged with intense lacquered black highlighted with dashes of red. Red reigns on the 5, 6, and 7 on the hour chapter, which are inscribed as Arabic numerals whereas the others take on traditional Roman-style typography to heighten the contrast even more. Part of the Grande Seconde hand also adorns this dynamic tone. The shade adorns the entire rolled-edged fabric strap which attaches with a folding clasp.

This watch, cut out to accompany you on a daily basis, stands out with elements which boost its sturdiness. Two applique crossbars firmly lock in place the two dials featuring the time data on the 45 mm-diameter steel case. A fluted ceramic bezel covers the case. We can also admire the two large shock-protecting claws, inherent to the range. For optimal grip, the screwed crown is topped by a rubber cast.

This architecture protects the selfwinding movement. And, thanks to the inclusion of a double barrel, the JD2663A-S caliber delivers a comfortable power reserve of 68 hours.

Price: CHF15,900 jaquet-droz.com

By Dan Diaconu

The post SW STEEL-CERAMIC appeared first on Watches News.

We think we know it perfectly well since it was launched back in 2018 yet it surprises us once again with its sandblasted finish and hue of its dial which is somewhat reminiscent of the Moon’s surface.

The tides, the seasons, the 24-hour days… The Moon’s influences rhythm our lives. The drawing power of the Earth satellite is also embraced in the brand new Grande Seconde Moon Anthracite. With its gray-tinted dial and its sandblasted finish, this variation of one of Jaquet Droz’s flagship models definitely attracts attention. This stylistic choice center stages the time data displays. The blued hour and minute hands stand out perfectly, as does the date hand which is tipped with a red dot. The white gold Moon, set in a large aperture at 6 o’clock, showcases its lunar cycles in a sky blue hue illuminated by six stars fashioned in the same precious material. The composition offers ever-so sweet harmony and ensures optimal reading.

The 2660QL4 caliber, set inside the 43 mm-diameter steel case, delivers a power reserve of at least 68 hours obtained thanks to the double barrel. This selfwinding movement stands out with its wheel flaunting 135 teeth. And, thanks to it, the Moon phase only requires adjustment every 122 years and 46 days. A classical assembly would need to be corrected every two years, seven months and twenty days. The sapphire-crystal caseback invites to admire the Côtes de Genève finishes and the openworked oscillating weight.

This Grande Seconde Moon Anthracite is worn on a highly-comfortable, elegant, soft-touch alligator strap attached with a folding clasp.

Price: CHF15,700 jaquet-droz.com

By Dan Diaconu

The post GRANDE SECONDE MOON ANTHRACITE appeared first on Watches News.

Seven new timepieces join the collection and showcase slightly revamped design as well as two distinct styles, yet pursue the one-of-a-kind layout which made the original watch such a success.

The Grande Seconde which has regularly evolved since its creation in 1785 and which has embraced new highly-useful complications over time such as the date display has, however, pursued the stylistics which made it such a success. This year, Jaquet Droz unveils seven new pieces in its Grande Seconde Quantième collection, after having changed a few design details, which are spread over two different series, one traditional, the other rather more modern.

The case, proposed in red gold or steel, now measures 41 mm in diameter, a size that’s more ergonomic and fits most wrists, yet perfectly preserves the ensemble’s visual harmony. It hosts the automatic JD2660Q2 caliber equipped with a double barrel which delivers a power reserve of 68 hours.

For the “classical” version, the dials are coated with ivory Grand Feu enamel in keeping with brand tradition, or somewhat more unusual colors like blue, Bordeaux or anthracite set off by red gold Lancine-shaped hands for the hours and minutes off-centered at 12 o’clock and baton-style for the large second and the date both displayed at 6 o’clock.

As for the “modern” version, it boasts three different hues: matte black, titanium gray and silvered, the latter two enhanced with a sandblasted finish. Relief applique indexes in “natural” gray gold or adorned with blue or darkened gray replace the Arabic or Roman numerals of the aforementioned models. Ditto for the different date hands and ring. Only the 31 and the tip of the hand keep their vermilion coating.

Price: CHF9,750 (steel) – CHF20,500 (red gold) jaquet-droz.com

By Sharmila Bertin

The post GRANDE SECONDE QUANTIEME appeared first on Watches News.

After last year’s great success, this self-winding monopusher chronograph glorifies the arrival of summer with a new onyx dial dazzling like a black sun.

Everyone was waiting with baited breath this year for this piece to appear on the scene as it was one of the few complications which hadn’t embraced the Grande Seconde collection. And, no-one was disappointed when Jaquet Droz unveiled its chronograph during the Time To Move event. Quite the contrary actually as this watch, proposed in several versions, met with resounding success. The brand, which made good the wager of integrating short-cycle time measurement without interfering with its ambassador’s face, without disturbing the contour of its legendary 8, reveals a Grande Seconde Off-centered Chronograph Black Onyx to us as summer comes around.

With its dusky yet dazzling robe, the onyx underscores the 8’s clear silhouette delicately off-centered to the left. At 1 o’clock, in its small upper loop edged by a gray gold applique ring, the hours and minutes are displayed expressed by a pair of Lancine-shaped hands. At 7 o’clock, its large lower loop hosts a retrograde date hovered over by a miniature red-tipped hand and the chronograph minute totalizer, whilst a large central direct-drive ticks over the seconds around a railway-style tracker.

The chronograph is triggered, stopped and reset using the monopusher nestling in the crown at 4 o’clock. The Grande Seconde Off-centered Chronograph Black Onyx is driven by the automatic JD26M5R caliber which delivers a power reserve of 40 hours. The ballet of its skeletonized oscillating weight can be admired through the transparent back of the 43 mm-diameter steel case.

Price: CHF21,600 jaquet-droz.com

By Sharmila Bertin

The post GRANDE SECONDE OFF-CENTERED CHRONOGRAPH BLACK ONYX appeared first on Watches News.

The two-star-logoed brand proposes a variation of its well-known symbol of love – a chariot driven by Cupid and pulled along by a butterfly – under a sky crafted with opal, the stone sparkling with a myriad of vibrant colors, bearing hope and foresight.

Love, the stimulus of our life, gives us wings, helps us make our dreams come true and fills us with a flame of hope. This pure emotion nourishes all Jaquet Droz’s creations, as illustrated by the precious Opal Loving Butterfly Automaton, a one-of-a-kind enchanting piece which exists in two version, red gold and white gold.

The work on the stones to gift a timepiece with an incomparable, mineral face is a genuine form of art which the brand from La Chaux-de-Fonds masters perfectly. The dial of this new watch was fashioned in opal whose vibrant colors make the blued reflects sprinkled with a hint of green dazzle. This shimmering gemstone, a real miniature aurora borealis as well as a lucky charm, symbolizes purity and promotes calm, two notions specific to the serenity induced by love. A white mother-of-pearl or black onyx disc, set beneath 12 o’clock and dominating the beauty of this natural scenescape, hosts the hours and minutes expressed by two blued steel or red gold Lancine-style hands. At the bottom of the dial, love reigns supreme, set in motion, embodied by a chariot driven by Cupid and pulled along by a butterfly. This lyrical scene bordered by a wooded backdrop is the fruit of the dexterity of Jaquet Droz’s craftsmen who carved and sculpted it in gold.

On the right side of the 43 mm-diameter case, the crown is topped with a pusher. Pushing it prompts an ever-so magical moment as it breathes life into the butterfly’s wings and spins the chariot’s wheel powered by a hand-wound automaton. The time functions are driven by the automatic JD2653 ATI caliber which delivers a power reserve of 68 hours.

This Opal Loving Butterfly Automaton is worn on a blue or black alligator strap attached with a folding clasp.

Price: CHF205,200 jaquet-droz.com

By Sharmila Bertin

The post OPAL LOVING BUTTERFLY AUTOMATON appeared first on Watches News.