In honor of the 7th edition of the biennial charity auction Only Watch Charity Auction, Jaquet Droz presents an exceptional Grande Seconde Off-Centered model that raises money for the fight against Duchenne muscular dystrophy. This reinterpretation of the legendary Grande Seconde watch and its playful figure 8 – the symbol of infinity and completeness that has come to represent Jaquet Droz – features a cuprit dial. Discovered in the mid 19th century, this copper-oxide-rich stone kindles celestial reverie of the planet Mars. The fiery red color of this stone embodies all the passion dedicated to both the timepiece and the Only Watch project.
This Grande Seconde is equipped with an automatic mechanical movement whose balance-spring and pallet horns in silicon – a material resistant to shocks, temperature fluctuations, pressure and magnetic fields – add to the perfect reliability of the watch. Fitted with a power reserve of 68 hours, the Grande Seconde Off-Centered combines the purple of the cuprit with the glimmer of the 43 mm red gold case and the smooth black of the alligator strap. Hand engraved with the mentions “1/1” and “Only Watch 2017 Cuprite”, the Grande Seconde Off-Centered will be released at the end of September to coincide with the Monaco Yacht Show. It will then be a part of the traveling exhibition targeting an international public of committed watch lovers prior to going up for auction in Geneva on Saturday, November 11th.
The two counters traditionally aligned on the 12 o’clock / 6 o’clock axis are made off-center, adding an original, dynamic touch to this purest of canvases. The thinness of the circled gold flanges match that of the hands and the majestic direct-drive seconds hand, while the crown is shifted to 4 o’clock for a subtle aesthetic twist.
On July 6 and 7 Jaquet Droz honored the art of miniature painting on enamel at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. The guests were invited to a special workshop in order to try the meticulous technique of painting on enamel at Adrift restaurant. They were supervised by professional painter from the Jaquet Droz Ateliers d’Art in Switzerland who guided them in the discovery of this ancestral practice. The invitees could experience what it feels like to be a Jaquet Droz artist the time of the event. Watch enthusiasts also had the opportunity to discover some limited editions from the Jaquet Droz Ateliers d’Art Collection such as the Petite Heure Minute Lion, Koï Carp and Flamingo, all enhanced by the contrast between black Grand Feu enamel and vibrant miniature painting.
Jaquet Droz also organized a series of events in Sydney and Melbourne to introduce its astonishing world and exquisite timepieces to the Australian market. The brand and its local retail partners welcomed special guests to discover the astonishing world of Jaquet Droz and its novelties unveiled during Baselworld 2017 as well as other iconic creations. The event was also marked by a workshop of miniature painting during which the guests realized their own Jaquet Droz dial with the help of a master painter coming from Jaquet Droz Ateliers d’Art for the occasion. This impressive work requires a lot of dexterity and precision, some of the brushes that Jaquet Droz artist is using could be as thin as one single hair for the details of the fur of an animal or pupil of an eye as an example.
