In 2022, Jaquet Droz completely changed its business strategy, moving away from creating timepieces and collections for watch lovers to discover in boutiques, in favour of a completely bespoke service, allowing clients to be the master of their own horological designs. Each and every timepiece that the brand now makes is a one-of-a-kind piece where the creation journey is as much a part of the experience as receiving the watch at the end of the process.
Unfortunately, not everyone wants to share their timepiece with the entire universe, but every now and again a client is happy for Jaquet Droz to share their creative vision with the rest of the world. Luckily, the owner of this one-of-a-kind Jaquet Droz Tourbillon Skelet Ceramic Skull Pink Pointillism was more than happy to share their project with us at WorldTempus, which is a genuine treat for all us watch lovers.
Jaquet Droz Tourbillon Skelet Ceramic Skull Pink Pointillism
This unique piece was imagined by a single collector who has created an interpretation of the much-loved skull that, when combined with a timepiece, has the additional message of reminding us of just how fast time flies.
Housed in a 42mm black ceramic case, the timepiece features a hand-sculpted and hand-painted 18-karat gold skull that is decorated with different-sized pink dots. The technique is called pointillism and is made up of over 3000 hand-painted dots that have been applied to the skull by Jaquet Droz’s artisans. Using a range of brushes, some of which have only one single hair, the dots bring the skull to life in vibrant pink. The different shades of pink have been carefully studied to enhance the texture and geometry of the skull and create a colourful opposition with the intense black ceramic case.
The design follows Jaquet Droz’s historical figure of eight formation, with a tourbillon at 12 o’clock and the hours and minutes at 6 o’clock. The hour and minute hands come in black to match the colour of the case. This choice of colour was also to avoid distracting from the overall design. Powering the timepiece is a self-winding flying tourbillon movement that comes with a power reserve of eight days. The design of the movement has also been carefully thought through to offer a modern, structured aesthetic that highlights the material, the movement, and the spaces in between them. Everything is custom-made, from the screws and finishes, right down to the engraving on the oscillating weight.
The Studio 8 Creation Process
Jaquet Droz has perfected the co-creation process between the client, the manufacture, and its artisans thanks to its new Studio 8, which is fitted with cutting-edge technology. The idea is for the manufacture to be able to interact with the client in the best possible way, wherever they are in the world. Each client can follow the creation process of their watch, from the brief to the 3D model and the final finishing techniques. Cameras with 4K resolution allow the client to be digitally immersed into the heart of their watch, allowing their wildest dreams to become reality.
Let’s hope more clients are forthcoming with their designs, so we can get further sneak peaks into this incredible world of bespoke watchmaking.
