Paying homage to astronomy – the predecessor of watchmaking– the Astrale collection showcases a minimalist expression of the art of watchmaking in which only the essential remains. The two latest Grande Heure Minute watches are no exception. Each is housed in a 43 mm steel case and powered by a high precision self-winding movement: the Jaquet Droz 1169.Si caliber. “Si” refers here to silicon, a key element in contemporary watchmaking. Hard-wearing, rust-proof, non-magnetic and unaffected by temperature fluctuations, silicon endows the balance spring and pallet lugs with stellar longevity and astronomical precision. Thanks to a 68-hour power reserve this performance can be maintained for almost three days.
The minimalism of the two pieces is striking. Only the essential is left on the dial: hours, minutes and seconds. Discreet motion work simply tracks the minutes. Jaquet Droz demonstrates here its masterful attention to the tiniest detail: dainty rhodium-plated studs are employed as five-minute markers, introducing a barely perceptible relief, while a rhodium-plated ring lends the motion work a subtle sheen. This composition inspired by the stars is punctuated by the brand’s signature off-centered seconds hand at 9 o’clock. Ringed by an off-centered circle, the hand suggests the revolution of a celestial body in a nod to the Astrale collection.
These Grande Heure Minute are available in a choice of a slate gray dial with blued hands and slate-grey alligator strap, or a silver-plated dial with rhodium-plated hands and black strap.
