For nearly three centuries, the Grande Seconde has had one of the most unique designs in Fine Watchmaking. Its off-center display combines a seamless view of the hours and minutes with the precision of a large second hand. The worthy heir of this original collection, the Grande Seconde Quantième now includes a 41 mm diameter.
Long-awaited by collectors, this new size was a chance for Jaquet Droz to take a fresh approach to several design elements. This makes the Grande Seconde Quantième 41 mm an authentic creation, and by no means is it simply a smaller version of an existing model. Everything, or almost everything, has been given a second look. The redesign begins with the case itself, which is now 41 mm. It was thinned down slightly to make it lighter on the wrist and more compatible with its new diameter. This serves to preserve the proportions, and most remarkably the original piece's balance and modern feel.
New finishes were also specially developed for this collection. There is a wide range of Grande Seconde Quantième 41 mm watches with Grand Feu enamel dials, a long-practiced art Jaquet Droz has mastered and one of its most recognizable signatures. The dials now come in ivory tones as well as and deep blue, burgundy and anthracite. Each shade was specially crafted for this latest collection, the result extensive research on enamel powders and hand-firing techniques to produce the exact color variations desired. The date is displayed at 6 o’clock with an 18-carat red gold applique. In addition to these four colors, there is also a matte black dial, a titanium gray sandblasted version and a last one in sandblasted silver. No fewer than seven models in all are being unveiled at once, forming an entire collection of Grande Seconde Quantième 41 mm timepieces.
Each distinctly different variation gives collectors a chance to satisfy their personal tastes. The first four versions with classic watchmaking aesthetics are on offer with the case, appliques and oscillating weight in red gold on an alligator strap matching the Grand Feu enamel dial. The other three feature a contemporary steel case suited for more modern finishes such as matching velvety soft calfskin straps and gold, rhodium-plated or colored appliques that strike dramatic contrasts. They include an openworked oscillating weight for optimal rewinding and an unobstructed view of the hand-assembled Jaquet Droz self-winding movement that ensures a nearly three-day power reserve (68 hours). Like almost all of Jaquet Droz’s modern-day creations, a silicon balance spring is used to control the isochronism and make the timepiece resistant to temperature changes, magnetic fields and shock. With these seven new models, Jaquet Droz is ushering the Grande Seconde into the 21st century in the utmost of style while showcasing the novelty of a design with lines that follow every curve of its time.
“Some watches tell time. Some tell a Story.”
