Among the most exclusive and complicated timepieces exhibited at last weekend’s WatchTime New York event at Gotham Hall were two Jaquet Droz chiming automatons: The Charming Bird and the Loving Butterfly, introduced this year. A masterpiece of watchmaking and craftsmanship, the new automaton from Jaquet Droz features an exquisite animated tableau, depicting an allegory of love and nature. This new creation tells a story, that of genius watchmaker, Henri-Louis Jaquet-Droz, who, 242 years ago, created an android automaton delivering breathtaking sketches – including a cherub seated on a chariot pulled by a butterfly, celebrating love and passion. The same emotion is sparked today when, with just one push on the crown button, a world of poetry comes to life under the crystal. With grace and refinement, the butterfly comes to life, pulling a cherub in an animated chariot.
The brand also showcased Baselworld 2017 novelties such as the Grande Seconde Moon equipped with a new movement, called an astronomical moonphase. Requiring adjustment only once every 122 years and 46 days, the specially developed “mechanism 135” for the moon-phase has a carefully studied gear ratio that makes it much more precise than the 59-toothed mechanism in a traditional moon-phase, which accumulates an error of one day in approximately two years, seven months, and 20 days. The upper sub-dial discreetly displays the hours and minutes.
“Some watches tell time, some tell a story”
Recently welcomed into contemporary Fine Watchmaking, each of these exclusive variations is limited to 28 pieces and reflects the avant-garde dynamism of this skeletonized model.
The Maison has been certified by the Responsible Jewellery Council, a guarantee of a responsible supply chain on a global level.
These new compositions ring in the New Year under the Chinese zodiac sign of the Ox.