The brand with the double-star logo, founded by Pierre Jaquet-Droz (1721-1790) in 1738, celebrates its 280th anniversary in 2018. Minerals were important to the company’s founder, and today they are an integral part of the brand’s DNA, and continue to play a major role in the Ateliers d’Art. Dendritic agate, ruby heart, sunstone, lemon chrysoprase, jadeite, rutilated quartz, slate, onyx, astorite... the palette of stones used by Jaquet Droz for its dials is virtually limitless. After the Petite Heure Minute in cuprite (a mineral made of copper oxide), which was unveiled for Valentine’s Day, new models with dials made of meteorite and stromatolite have been introduced this year. It’s no accident that the watchmaker chose the Grande Seconde, with its figure-eight aesthetic, to pay tribute to these minerals that symbolise the infinite depths of space.
The Grande Seconde, which was launched in 2002, is also essential to the company’s design codes, drawing its inspiration from a pocket watch dating from the 18th century. Unlike the classic Grande Seconde, the Grande Seconde Off-Centered has a more eccentric allure, with its hour and minutes dial entwining with the big second register at a jaunty angle. The 18K red gold chapter rings eschew traditional numerals in favour of understated markers, which fade into the background to give pride of place to the magic and depth of the stone. These exceptional new creations bear witness to the watchmaker’s desire to fuse time and space.
A meteorite is a fragment of an asteroid from outer space, which managed to enter the earth’s atmosphere without disintegrating. Primarily composed of iron and nickel, they are exceptionally hard. Meteorites are difficult enough to find at the best of times, but finding one big enough to be carved and sculpted is even more demanding. Cutting the discs to make the watch dials is an extremely exacting task, performed only by skilled artisans. Because of the natural veining present in the stones, each timepiece is unique. These models are offered in three versions: 39 mm, 39 mm with diamonds and 43 mm.
Stromatolite is a 3.5-billion-year-old mineral that is essential to life on earth. It is a “biogenic” fossilised sedimentary rock, which means it contains both fossilised and living elements. This characteristic is what gives the stone its many different unique features and wide range of colours. This exclusive series is limited to three pieces, which are also available in 39 mm, 39 mm diamond-set and 43 mm models.
The stone dials are set in an 18K red gold case, inside which resides the automatic mechanical calibre 2663.P, running at a frequency of 28,800 vph, with a power reserve of 68 hours. The limited editions come with a hand-stitched alligator strap, in slate grey for the meteorite versions, or black to go with the stromatolite dial. The diamond-set versions also feature a diamond-studded pin buckle.
