The figure eight, Jaquet Droz's lucky number, has been regarded as the ultimate touchstone by the watchmaker from La Chaux-de-Fonds since the Age of Enlightenment. Making its first appearance in Jaquet Droz collection in 2013, the Lady 8 is today a symbolic feminine timepiece and a highly precious jewel.
While the Lady 8's general architecture remains true to its original design - an uncluttered dial crowned with a precious stone - the craftsmen have let themselves go in a veritable extravaganza of different materials.
The Lady 8 Shiny plays on curves for women who appreciate the sensuality of time. The timepiece reveals a true painting dial in gemstones with grey gold and diamonds (1.49 carats) . Proof of the Jewelry workshops’ extraordinary technical mastery, Jaquet Droz has had a coquettish touch: at its summit, a pearl of diamonds (1.4 carats) that its owner finds herself irresistibly drawn to touch and turn it with her finger.
In order to give the Lady 8 Shiny more fluid lines, the lugs have given way to an alligator strap attached to the case which comes in gem-set white gold for a total of 4.92 carats. The new folding clasp, specially created for this model, also takes the shape of a figure of eight, is made of grey gold and diamonds (1.51 carats) reaffirming the striking identity of the Lady 8 on the inside of the wrist.
It's an invitation to speculate, to reveal, and as such defines the spirit of glamor and luxury that imbues the new Lady 8s.
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.