Since its inception, the brand known by its twin stars has displayed a special passion for nature and birds, inspiring pocket watches and automata. This passion captured the heart of Emperor Qianlong, heralding the export to China of more than 600 pieces within a decade, and making Jaquet Droz the first clockmaking brand to enter the Forbidden City. China’s imperial palace museum houses a number of pieces by the brand.
The new boutique is located in Macau’s sumptuous Wynn Palace. A sleek, modern interior pays tribute to various emblematic models: a low table echoes the figure 8 profile of the iconic Grande Seconde, bird-cage lamps evoke the Bird Repeater, and the walls tell the story of the brand that dates back over three legendary centuries. It is the story of the visionary genius of Pierre Jaquet-Droz, whose spirit of audacity, aesthetics and excellence continues to this day to write a history that is unique in the world of luxury and fine watchmaking.
“Some watches tell time, some tell a story”
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.