Jaquet Droz
Looking Through: Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Skelet-One
Jaquet Droz
Looking Through: Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Skelet-One
If we could drive back the symbolism of the figure ‘8’ to fine watchmaker, Jaquet Droz, from them it stems from Pierre Jaquet-Droz’s very first iteration of the pocket watch that bore the stylised figure 8, circa 1785. For a time in the 18th century when the piano and fire extinguisher defined new technology, Pierre Jaquet-Droz’s Grande Seconde pocket watch evoked a minimalistic style that was ahead of its era.
Today, the Maison identifies the Grande Seconde as the first of its eight codes and one that has been an “eternal source of inspiration” in the La Chaux-de-Fonds manufacture. In celebrating its 280th anniversary this year, Jaquet Droz revived Pierre Jaquet-Droz’s pocket watch in a wristwatch version, christening it the Grande Seconde Tribute.
The openworked movement is an exhibition of dark grey bridges that create a muted contrast for the red gold and white gold versions, while for the ceramic version, it looks to be seamlessly fused into the black case. All that remains is the sapphire crystal against the caliber 2663 SQ with all of its intricate components in clear view.