Hommage to the art of paillonné enameling

Image
Hommage to the art of paillonné enameling - Jaquet Droz
Combining tradition and modernity, this new line of timepieces celebrates the art of paillonné enameling.

Founded in the Age of Enlightenment Jaquet Droz has inherited the exquisite decorative spirit of the period and their creations combine mechanical excellence and splendor of their dials—painted, engraved and enameled in the Ateliers d'Art in La Chaux-de-Fonds.

The art of paillonné enameling distinguishes itself among these decorative techniques. Pierre Jaquet-Droz was a virtuoso of paillonné enameling and thanks to him, among others, this art was at its zenith in the 18th century. Paillonné enameling consists of meticulously positioning tiny paillons of gold, one by one, to create geometrical patterns on the colored enamel itself, and then setting the design under a coat of translucent enamel fondant. To achieve an enamel finish of flawlessly even grain and color requires consummate mastery of the extremely high firing temperatures.

Jaquet-Droz_paillons

Jaquet Droz craftsmen first used original paillons from that period to produce their own paillons and create rare timepieces, crowning this art with the unique coloring of Grand Feu enamel. This year, Jaquet Droz launches several new timepieces in limited editions that push the boundaries of creativity and beauty even further.

The Grande Seconde sports unprecedented shades of violet and anthracite gray, along with a luminous blue. The same three colors unfold across the Petite Heure Minute 39mm, while the Pocket Watch swathes itself in blue or red. Femininity is heightened in the previously unseen 35mm version of the Petite Heure Minute with its deep blue dial—sunray-polished, like all the models in this edition. Lastly, the Tourbillon, with its seven-day power reserve, is now available in a paillonné version for the first time. This model abounds in well-considered detail such as the blue of its hands, the screw heads on its flanges and the lapis lazuli oscillating weight—a harmony evoking Jaquet Droz's historical expertise in decorative stones and horological complications.

Jaquet-Droz_GRANDE_SECONDE_TOURBILLON_PAILLONNEE

The workmanship on these new models strictly respects the rules laid down during the Renaissance, but a spirit of reinvention still whispers through it. This year, the overlayed gold barrettes have been revisited with typical Jaquet Droz finesse—a pinhead of gold, like a tiny bead, is cut and placed by hand at the junction of the two lines, emphasizing the decorative volumes encased in transparent enamel.
Click on the large image at the top of the page to discover the watches

Featured brand