The Grande Seconde Dual Time keeps cadence with history, resonating with the rhythm of the journeys made by Pierre Jaquet-Droz in the 18th century. Here is a timepiece that celebrates the magic in a two-beat tempo with a brand new mechanism and elegantly positioned second time zone.
A visionary entrepreneur, the founder of the brand was an inventor in an era profoundly influenced by the artistic and philosophical movements of the Age of Enlightenment, but also a great traveler. From the royal courts of Europe to the gates of the Forbidden City, Pierre Jaquet-Droz roamed the world.
This year, for the very first time, the brand has used the concept of double time to inspire one of its most emblematic models: the Grande Seconde. This historic piece is endowed with two off-center dials, slightly overlapping to delineate a figure eight, the brand’s tutelary number.
A new calibre was developed, the Jaquet Droz 2663H24 self-winding mechanical movement, to create an upper dial displaying the local time and a lower seconds dial, off-centered at six o’clock, that doubles up with an hours and minutes dial giving the reference time. The movement is fitted with a silicon escapement with unrivaled chronometric performance and unaffected by magnetic fields, and offers a 65-hour power reserve.
Remaining true to the aesthetic principles of the brand, the display is classic and sophisticated, starting with contrasting yet complementary indexes: Roman numerals on the upper counter and Arabic numerals on the lower. A date has been added, which is indicated by a red-tipped hand that exploits and enhances the recessed lower subdial in a delicate structuring of form highly characteristic of Jaquet Droz. Such a choice is equally reflective of a desire to achieve improved readability.
The Grande Seconde Dual Time comes in three 43 mm-diameter versions: an ivory Grand Feu enameled dial with a red gold case, and a silvery opaline or onyx dial with a stainless steel case.
A rolled-edge hand-made black alligator leather strap, secured by an ardillon buckle, dresses the watch.
