Jaquet Droz is deeply moved to be rewarded by the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. The Jaquet Droz Charming Bird is the winner in the "Mechanical Exception" category, which distinguishes watches that present a special mechanism or other original or exceptional horological concept. The jury recognized the beauty and the unique features of this watchmaking feat that integrates a singing bird automaton. Jaquet Droz dedicates this award to the watchmakers, artisans, artists, technicians and Friends of Jaquet Droz who made this adventure possible.
Created in 2001, the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève pays tribute each year to excellence in horological creations. This year, 72 preselected watches competed in 12 award categories.
The Charming Bird
At the heart of the legend created by Pierre Jaquet-Droz in his manufactory in La Chaux-de-Fonds, birds play an enchanting role in these legendary timepieces. Whether purely decorative or conceived as genuine singing automata, they have been part of the brand’s creative adventure for nearly three centuries and now continue to delight of each of their admirers. With The Charming Bird, Jaquet Droz invites you to enter a universe steeped in history, beauty and technology. A bridge between past and present, The Charming Bird represents the apotheosis of the great watchmaker’s creativity and the longstanding fidelity of the master craftsmen who have followed in his footsteps.
Find out more about this exceptional piece.
A warmed up stage, a drum kit, a few guitars and a harmonica: “It’s only rock’n’roll!” Today, Jaquet Droz unveils the first out of the 23 unique timepieces to retrace the world of the Rolling Stones through motion. Beside the arm of a record player that hovers over a platinum album replica (the power reserve), a scene depicts their signature instruments in miniature paintings and gold thread. The external disc rotates up to 8 consecutive times for 30 seconds and is adorned with the albums that the collector will choose for his unique timepiece. At 9 o'clock, the iconic tongue beats rhythmically, from left to right and from top to bottom. “And I like it!”
After three years of work, Jaquet Droz and John Howe have developed an Art Watch dedicated to emotion, wonder and fantasy. Draped in gold and rare stones, their dragon has a record 9 distinct animations. Inside a 43 mm case, the piece is entirely handmade and can be customized almost without limit by the client. Thanks to a Studio in the heart of the Jaquet Droz head quarter, clients will be offered an immersive phygital experience that will allow them to witness the live creation of their timepieces. There is no series to be announced, only unique pieces.
The “Effinger” clock dated from 1783 and signed Jaquet-Droz, has been sold at CHF 256,000.-, which is more than three times the starting bid of CHF 70,000.-, during the Koller auction on March the 31st 2022.