Founded in 1738, Jaquet Droz reached its peak in 1788. From the very beginning, the Swiss watchmaker has, some way or another, been associated with the number eight.
Today, the numerology prevails at its Atelier de Haute Horlogerie in La Chaux-de-Fonds, in the canton of Neuchâtel, west Switzerland. Watchmaking aesthetic revolves around the mystic number while limited editions are crafted in eight, 28 or 88 pieces.
Moreover, the maison announced its presence in the Thai market on the 18th of this month. A curated selection of its timepieces is now available at the multi-brand Time Zone store in Gaysorn Village.
The figure 8 is echoed in the design of the distinctive Grande Seconde launched in 2002, two years after Jaquet Droz joined the Swatch Group.
The hours and minutes subdial, off-centred at 12 o'clock, embraces the seconds subdial, positioned at 6 o'clock, evoking the lucky number.
The play of Arabic and Roman numerals further characterises the Grande Seconde, which recalls a pocket watch created by founder Pierre Jaquet-Droz in 1784.
In that same year, the native of La Chaux-de-Fonds expanded production in Geneva, after successful operations in his home town and London.
The company was notable for its mechanical ingenuity in creating fascinating automations featuring playful miniature animated scenes, and thrived as a pioneering exporter of sophisticated timepieces to European countries as well as the Far East, especially China.
The globetrotting spirit is embodied in the 43mm Grande Seconde Dual Time, whose new versions come in a contemporary steel case with an onyx or a silvery opaline dial while classic red gold renditions boast an ivory or black Grand Feu enamel face.
Red gold Grande Seconde Chronograph with a multilevel ivory Grand Feu enamel dial.
The aesthetic has been revised, as the local time display is positioned at 12 o'clock and the travel complication is relocated to the bottom half of the signature figure 8 dial.
Continents are depicted on a mirror polished backdrop in black or anthracite while the powdery finish promotes realism and volume of the Earth's texture. The 24-hour home time display is split into two distinct 12-hour segments: white for daytime and black for night, for easy reading of the home time.
The Grande Seconde family also includes other complications such as moon phase, minute repeater and tourbillon.
A new member, the 43mm monopusher chronograph is equipped with a movement that continues in the vein of a rare 18th century complication dubbed deadbeat seconds, whose seconds hand didn't advance in a linear fashion but made a small jump every minute. Its accurate measurements led to the birth of the chronograph.
The movement of the new Grande Seconde Chronograph features a column wheel construction and a silicon balance spring that guarantees resistance to magnetic fields and temperature variations.
A limited edition of 88 pieces, the red gold model showcases the art of enamelling, whose beauty relies on the interaction of ultrafine powders and precision kilns.
The chronograph's Grand Feu enamel dial and Petit Feu enamel numerals are in centuries-old colouring. Additionally, the minute and second displays are in blue Petit Feu enamel to ensure readability of the time.
Three steel variations differ with an off-centred dial and crown at 4 o'clock, and the sandblasted silver, blue or taupe grey dial, finished by hand using a dry sandblasting technique, which accentuates the depth of the graining.
Stainless steel Grande Seconde Off-Centred Chronograph with a double-level blue dial.
The signature 8 shape is preserved even in skeletonised models, which made their debut last year.
The new 41.5mm Grande Seconde Skelet-One Ceramic is more modern and masculine with its black ceramic case having a satin-finished top and polished sides fostering a play of light, amplified by a double sapphire "glass box" on the top and bottom.
The sapphire dial offers an unobstructed view of the movement, whose white gold oscillating weight has been entirely skeletonised to achieve total transparency.
This model comes with a canvas bracelet in blue, matching the colour of the steel screws.
The figure 8 is interpreted in a feminine way in the case of the 35mm Lady 8 and its little sister the 25mm Lady 8 Petite.
The latter was also released last year, with the dainty diamond-set models having an aventurine or mother-of-pearl dial and a delicate railway track that marks the hours and minutes.
A stainless steel interpretation appeals with an authentic Akoya pearl at 12 o'clock, a white mother-of-pearl dial with circular grain motif, and a caramel-colour double-wrap calfskin strap.
Jaquet Droz's penchant for minerals is expressed in the latest red gold Lady 8 Petite with a malachite dial, bead at 12 o'clock and crown cabochon.
Malachite is one of the oldest decorative stones used by man and is often associated with luck, wealth and protection. Together, with the emblematic 8 design, ladies can strap a talisman on the wrist.
Jaquet Droz watches are available at Time Zone multi-brand boutique on the 1st Floor, Gaysorn Village.
The figure 8 is preserved in Grande Seconde Skelet-One in a black ceramic case. Jacquet Droz
Red gold Grande Seconde Dual Time with a black Grand Feu enamel dial. Jaquet Droz
Red gold Grande Seconde Dual Time with a black Grand Feu enamel dial. Jaquet Droz
Grande Seconde pocket watch from 1784.
