Press release
It would seem that history is shaped more by destiny than by chance. 225 years after opening its first watchmaking workshop in the French capital, Jaquet Droz inaugurated on September 9th 2010 its first Parisian boutique at 8, rue de la Paix.
The rue de la Paix address was a natural choice, for the name of this street epitomizes fine craftsmanship and excellence. © Jaquet Droz
Characterized by sleek lines, a palette of black, enamel colors and gray as well as contrasting matte and glossy surfaces, this space occupying 198 m² reflects all of the Jaquet Droz design codes, also apparent in the new Haute Horlogerie workshop in Le Crêt du Locle, Switzerland. Incorporated into the interior decoration, the curves of Jaquet Droz's favorite number, 8, complement the pure lines of the boutique and its furnishings. This delicate balance brings movement and a sensuous quality to the sobriety of the architecture. It also illustrates, once again, the brand's remarkable capacity to adapt to the tastes of each period traversed over the course of three centuries.
This journey through time started with founder Pierre Jaquet Droz, who was always fascinated by the City of Light. Paris, the historic capital of creation, occupies a very special place in the brand's history. Entranced by its artistic richness, the master watchmaker visited it several times to present his most astonishing inventions. His attraction to the city prompted him to set up a workshop there in 1785. Early in the 21st century, Jaquet Droz launched the "Elegance Paris" Collection, entirely composed of timepieces influenced by the glamour and femininity of Parisian fashion.
Pleased at the idea of returning to Paris to enjoy her favors, Jaquet Droz decided to give its boutique the finest of settings to honor a country – and a city – whose cultural significance is only equaled by the tremendous feeling of sentimental attachment that it inspires. The rue de la Paix address was a natural choice, for the name of this street epitomizes fine craftsmanship and excellence. Jaquet Droz has moved into one of the world's most prestigious addresses, only a stone's throw from Place Vendôme. Ensconced in a handsome building dating to the days of Baron Haussmann, the new venue combines Jaquet Droz's penchant for contemporary design with the neoclassical beauty of late 19th-century architecture. The first boutique to adopt this new concept, Number 8, rue de la Paix pays tribute to a sense of French style characterized by a taste for luxury and perfection.
More than a boutique, this first Parisian address is an invitation to discover and understand the world of Jaquet Droz: respect for tradition, the challenge of modern technology, an ongoing reinterpretation of luxury and the magic of transforming each instant into an exceptional moment.
